Microsoft Visual Studio 2012 was published on 2^nd August 2012 as an Integrated Development Environment (IDE). It is an ideal launchpad for developers to create, debug and deploy software for applications that run on MS Office, Windows desktops, Windows phones and the Web. VS 2012 can be used to design and create desktop apps using C#, C++ and Visual Basic targeting specific client technologies like Windows Forms, Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) and the Win32.

New features in Microsoft Visual Studio 2012

A striking feature of VS 2012 is that the macro editor is no longer available. Hence, VS 2012 will not be able to record and reply macros of codes. However, there is a range of other new features which will compensate and even rival the capabilities of VS 2010. Here are some of them.

Quick Launch

Although there are several coding options in Visual Studio 2012, only a very small number of options are used on a regular basis. Browsing through all the options list before picking the right one proved to be a difficult chore. In Visual Studio 2012, a Quick Launch feature is introduced which simplifies the search for apps, files, codes and much more.

Semantic Code Analysis

Semantic code analysis in Visual Studio 2012 will include actual code logic in addition to syntax search. This will enable developers to easily find, copy or paste codes.

HTML5/CSS3 Support

Visual Studio 2012 will extend HTML5 and CSS3 support for Metro UI web apps and web-based apps. In addition to advanced debugging and Intellisense from the previous version, VS 2012 is also updated with Razor support and ASP.NET MVC4.

Futuristic game designing

Visual designers for 2D and 3D games, multithread XNA game development features and advanced debugging are the new game designing related introductions in Visual Studio 2012.

Project Round-Tripping

Compatibility issues are ironed out in VS 2012 with Project round-tripping. Developers can code programs in VS 2010 SPS 1 and resume the same or share the code with a team member who is working on VS 2012. Codes running on Visual Studio 2010 or any other older version can also be run on VS 2012 without any hassles.

Code Clone Analysis

Codes being copied/cloned in various sections of the solution is inevitable in Visual Studio. VS 2012 makes it easier to trace duplicate or clone codes through the code clone analysis feature. Helps eliminate unnecessary duplicate codes that can bog down the solution’s performance.

Preview Tab

The preview tab makes it easy to browse the interiors of a code without having to open several files. The preview tab will quicken toggling between files to search for information. It can be located while browsing through the files in the Solution explorer.

PowerPoint Storyboarding

PowerPoint storyboarding feature is available for Visual Studio Premium and Ultimate users. It will enable users to quickly design interface wireframes and share them with stakeholders for feedback gathering. Moreover, the functionalities of powerPoint also make it easy and less complex to change interface designs until a final version is created.

With that, we come to the end of the list of the most striking features in Microsoft Visual Studio 2012.