Datasheet

The screenshots in Figures 1-3 and 1-4 illustrate how the general interface can appear visually different
depending on the settings you choose. The two images/ in Figure 1-3 show the main interface as it
appears for the first time to a Visual Basic developer and to a C++ developer, while Figure 1-4 shows
how a default Windows Application project is generated for these two different types of programmer.
Note how not only do the menus and number and type of windows change, but also the default position
of certain essential windows — for example, the Solution Explorer changes depending on what kind of
programmer is using Visual Studio.
Figure 1-3
Figure 1-4
IDE Structure
The next step is to understand how the various components fit together to form the comprehensive tool
that is the Visual Studio 2005 Integrated Development Environment. The best way to achieve this is by
starting Visual Studio 2005 itself, picking a specific development environment, and then examining the
individual elements, so in the next few pages you’ll do just that. Note that the task list that follows
assumes you have already installed Visual Studio 2005 but have not yet started it for the first time.
5
A Quick Tour of the IDE
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