Visual Studio 2017 has gained a lot of attention in the software development community, not only for its robust features and capabilities but also for its plethora of new code analysis, testing, and debugging tools that make developers’ lives easier. In this article, we will explore 16 of the newest and most exciting tools that have been introduced in Visual Studio Magazine.
1. Live Unit Testing: This tool allows developers to see the impact of their code changes in real-time, as it runs unit tests automatically in the background. This helps in ensuring that any modifications made are not breaking existing code.
2. CodeLens: CodeLens displays information about the code such as references, changes, and unit tests directly in the editor, making it easier for developers to navigate and understand their codebase.
3. IntelliTest: This tool automatically generates unit tests for your code, helping developers to quickly identify and fix potential bugs or issues.
4. IntelliTrace: IntelliTrace records the execution of your application, allowing developers to step back in time and explore the sequence of events that led to a bug or issue.
5. CodeMap: CodeMap visualizes the relationships between different parts of your codebase, making it easier to understand complex systems and identify potential areas for improvement.
6. Performance Profiler: This tool helps developers to analyze the performance of their application, identifying bottlenecks and areas for optimization.
7. Static Code Analysis: Visual Studio 2017 comes with built-in static code analysis tools that help to identify potential bugs, security vulnerabilities, and code smells in your codebase.
8. Code Metrics: Code Metrics provide insights into the complexity and maintainability of your code, helping developers to make informed decisions about refactoring and improving code quality.
9. TypeScript Support: Visual Studio 2017 includes robust support for TypeScript, a popular programming language that compiles to JavaScript. This makes it easier for developers to build modern web applications with TypeScript.
10. Xamarin Inspector: Xamarin Inspector allows developers to diagnose and debug their Xamarin applications on both iOS and Android devices, helping to ensure a smooth user experience.
11. Node.js Tools: Visual Studio 2017 includes comprehensive support for Node.js development, making it easier for developers to build scalable and efficient server-side applications.
12. C# Interactive Window: The C# Interactive Window allows developers to write and execute C# code snippets directly in Visual Studio, making it easier to experiment with code and test ideas quickly.
13. XAML Edit & Continue: XAML Edit & Continue allows developers to make changes to XAML code while the application is running, providing instant feedback and accelerating the development process.
14. Live Architecture Dependency Validation: This tool provides real-time feedback on the dependencies between different components of your application, helping to maintain a clean and well-structured architecture.
15. Azure DevOps Integration: Visual Studio 2017 integrates seamlessly with Azure DevOps, providing tools for continuous integration, deployment, and collaboration, making it easier for teams to build and deliver high-quality software.
16. Git integration: Visual Studio 2017 includes robust support for Git, a popular version control system, making it easier for developers to collaborate on projects, track changes, and manage code repositories effectively.
In conclusion, Visual Studio 2017 offers a comprehensive suite of code analysis, testing, and debugging tools that empower developers to build high-quality, efficient, and maintainable software. With these tools at their disposal, developers can streamline their workflow, identify and fix bugs quickly, and deliver exceptional software products to their users.
