Shahed Khan (MVP)

Tips and Tricks VS2005 and CS2008

source: http://blogs.msdn.com/karenliu/archive/2007/06/21/tips-and-tricks-for-vs20005-and-vs2008.aspx

Tips and Tricks for VS20005 and VS2008

Tips for Understanding Code

1) [VS 2008] Target Multiple Versions of the Framework

• Use .NET 3.0 to target Vista
• Use .NET 3.5 to get started with LINQ
• Project | Properties | Application Tab

2) C# Development Settings

• Share your settings
• Tools | Import and Export Settings

3) Add New Item

• [VS 2008] Categorical
• Filter-as-you-type

4) Class Designer

• Visual, high-level view of relationships in code
• Use it to explore the framework

5) Active File Drop-down (Ctrl + Alt + Down Arrow)

• Jump to active files

6) Collapse to Definition (Ctrl+M, 0)

• Header-like view of code

7) Go to Definition (F12)

• Quickly navigate to the definition

8) GTD Navigation Stack (Ctrl+Shift+7, Ctrl+Shift+8)

• Virtual callstack

9) Find All References (Shift+F12)

• Number of references
• Cyclical

10) Iterate through List Window (F8)

• Works on any list

11) Find Combo Box (Ctrl + /)

• Go to line (Ctrl+G)
• Go to file in project (Ctrl+Shift+G)
• Help (keyword+F1)
• Mini-command window (>)

Tips for Writing and Modifying Code

12) Rename

• Entry points for rename (use solution explorer for file rename)
• [VS 2008] Support for C# 3.0

13) Code Snippets

• [Tab][Tab] to complete
• Surround With
• Download 400 more at http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/vstudio/aa718338.aspx
• [VS 2008] Property snippet is an automatically implemented property

14) Invoke Smart Tag (Ctrl + .)

• Never take your hand off the keyboard

15) Add Using

• Automatically adds using directives

16) Generate Method Stub

• Consume first, declare later

17) Snippets for Code Generation

• Functions http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms242312(VS.80).aspx
• Refactoring

18) [VS 2008] IntelliSense for Object Initalizers

• Filter as you initialize
• Ctrl+J for all members

19) [VS 2008] IntelliSense for Query Expressions

• Full understanding

20) [VS 2008] Quick Info for C# 3.0 Understanding

• Extension methods
• Var

21) IntelliSense Customization

• [VS 2008] CTRL for transparency
• Tools | Options | Text Editor | C# | IntelliSense

22) [VS 2008] Customize Formatting Style

• C# 3.0 Support
• Tools | Options | Text Editor | C# | Formatting

23) Customize your Context Menu

• Tools | Customize

24) [VS 2008] Debugging Query Expressions

• IEnumerable Results View

25) [VS 2008] Organize Usings

• Remove
• Sort
• Tools | Options | Text Editor | C# | Advanced

Print | posted on Monday, September 24, 2007 11:43 AM |