First Look: Visual Studio 2008

This one-day instructor-led clinic introduces students to new development features available in Visual Studio 2008 that can be used to create and consume application services, build ASP.NET Web sites, create engaging desktop applications, design workflows, expose services and enhance Microsoft Office applications.

Audience:
This clinic is intended for .NET programmers who have experience working with Visual Studio and C# or VB.NET.

Prerequisites:
Before attending this course, students must have one or more of the following: Experience creating .NET applications using Visual Studio 2003 or Visual Studio 2005. Experience working with the C# or VB.NET programming languages.

At Course Completion:
After completing this course, students will be able to:

• Explain new development features in Visual Studio 2008 and how they can enhance developer productivity.
• Explain new language enhancements available in C# 3.0 and VB.NET 9.0.
• Explain how Visual Studio 2008 can be used to target multiple versions of the .NET Framework.
• Explain how Language Integrated Query (LINQ) can be used with the LINQ to SQL Designer.
• Describe new Web development features and controls available in ASP.NET 3.5 and Visual Studio 2008.
• Explain how ASP.NET AJAX has been integrated into ASP.NET 3.5.
• Explain how WPF, WF and WCF applications, workflows and services can be built using Visual Studio 2008 templates and visual designers.
• Describe how to build UAC aware applications for Windows Vista.
• Describe how Visual Studio 2008 can be used to create custom Microsoft Office ribbons, task panes and Outlook form regions.

Course Outline:
 

Session 1: Visual Studio 2008 and Language Features Overview
This module describes new .NET Framework application development features available in Visual Studio 2008 including multi-targeting support, C# and VB.NET language enhancements, Language Integrated Query (LINQ) and the LINQ to SQL Designer.

Session 2: Building Web Applications with Visual Studio 2008
This module describes new Web application development features available in Visual Studio 2008 and ASP.NET 3.5. Topics covered include design, editing and CSS features, new ASP.NET 3.5 controls, ASP.NET AJAX integration and support for JavaScript IntelliSense and JavaScript debugging.

Session 3: Building WPF, WF and WCF Applications with Visual Studio 2008
This module walks students through new editor and designer features available in Visual Studio 2008 that allow engaging Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) applications to built along with robust application workflows and cross-platform services. Topics covered include the Visual Studio 2008 WPF designer, building User Account Control (UAC) aware applications for Windows Vista, using the Windows WorkFlow designer, and creating and consuming Windows Communication Foundation (WCF) services.

Session 4: Visual Studio 2008 Office Development Features
This module describes new Microsoft Office 2007 development features available in Visual Studio 2008. Topics covered include customizing Office ribbons, creating Office task panes, developing Outlook form regions, integrating SharePoint workflows into Office applications, deploying Office add-ins and calling managed code from VBA.