Visual Studio .NET Development Tools

• Microsoft's development studio Visual Studio .NET can be used in conjunction with other development tools to make programming easier and more convenient. Visual Studio .NET development tools allow you to create both Windows applications and dynamic websites. Whether you want to create a simple program on the go or need more advanced tools for creating large-scale applications, the right Visual Studio .NET development tools are available.

Switch Tools

• If you need to switch project versions, use a switch tool. Two popular switch tools, ASP.NET Version Switcher and Visual Studio Converter, allow you to switch your project between ASP.NET and Visual Studio .NET versions. This is necessary mainly because the extensions for certain versions of ASP.NET and Visual Studio .NET have changed, meaning if you need to merge projects from different versions, a switch tool is required to make sure the extensions are accurate.

CodeSmith

• To help streamline the Visual Studio .NET development process, use CodeSmith to create code-generation templates. Though CodeSmith isn't tied specifically to Visual Studio .NET, the application does come complete with ready to use .NET templates. You can create custom templates for stored procedures or any other type of code you use frequently. You'll save time by not typing the same code over and over again.

Snippet Compiler

• If you need a lighter weight tool for writing, compiling and running Visual Studio .NET projects, Snippet Compiler comes to the rescue. Instead of creating an entire project, Snippet Compiler allows you to create snippets of code, which you can compile and run without all the files typically required for Visual Studio .NET. This is great if you want to test code snippets or if you are trying to work on part of your project while on the go. You can also use Snippet Compiler to work on a different computer, since you won't need Visual Studio .NET.

NAnt

• NAnt allows you to create a single build process for your Visual Studio .NET project. While individual developers may not find much use for NAnt, developers working as a team will. Instead of depending on each developer to rebuild the project, NAnt creates an automated build process that runs nightly or on a set, specified schedule. This prevents development errors from single team members forgetting to build the project or several developers building the project simultaneously. With NAnt, you build your Visual Studio .NET solution, copy any necessary files, run tests and even send emails about any errors.

Visual Studio .NET

• If you want to build a full scale Visual Studio .NET application, nothing quite compares to the Visual Studio .NET development environment. Visual Studio .NET contains areas for developers to write, compile and run applications. Debugging tools are also available within the program. There are also tools to create Windows forms or applications, web pages and sites, ASP .NET mobile applications and Visual J# applications. Though Visual Studio .NET is considered one development tool for Visual Studio .NET applications, many individual development tools are contained within the actual program, allowing developers to perform all tasks within one application.