Which version of Visual Studio should I install?

Question

I am going to install Visual Studio. I want to know if the latest version of Visual Studio 2010 is backward compatible with previous versions like VS 2005 and 2008. Or is the code functionality and deploy-ability more dependent on the .NET framework version. I am trying to use a code which will be built into dll. I am not sure in which version of VS the code was written(most probably VS 2005).

Thanks...

Answer 1

I have never found any issues with Visual Studio 2010 and previous versions' code. It also does feature significantly improved Intellisense and [IMHO] faster building.

Answer 2

I would suggest to go with the latest Version. VS 2010 can target multiple frameworks. http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb398197.aspx So the dll should know with which framework it was compiled...

Answer 3

Always go with the latest, now 2010

Answer 4

• they are all backward compatible
• 2005 and above allow you to target the framework you want when creating the project
• if the project is older than the VS, it will prompt you with a migration wizard upon opening it(this is a one time only step.

Answer 5

Couple of things to note that i've found with 2010 which have caused us a couple of issues:

1) NHibernate (Castle Proxy) doesn't work with .net framework 4 (Currently)

2) Test Projects are always created aimed at .net framework 4, and you cannot target a lower version of the framework.

Otherwise not many problems, its also nice that the database addition of Visual Studio 2010 has intellisense on your tables/views, as well as many other changes