This topic outlines and describes the features that are included in various editions of Visual Basic.
Visual Basic Project Templates
The best way to create new projects is by using Visual Basic templates, or application wizards. Project templates work in conjunction with application frameworks and libraries to create starter programs for you.
The following table shows which Visual Basic project templates are available in the different editions of Visual Studio.
|
Template
|
Microsoft Visual Basic 2005 Express Edition
|
Visual Studio 2005 Standard
|
Visual Studio 2005 Professional and above
|
| ASP.NET Web Site | | X | X |
| ASP.NET Web Service | | X | X |
| ASP.NET Crystal Reports Web Site | | | X |
| Class Library | X | X | X |
| Console Application | X | X | X |
| Crystal Reports Application | | | X |
| Device Application | | X | X |
| Empty Project | X | X | X |
| Empty Web Site | | X | X |
| Excel Template | | | X |
| Excel Workbook | | | X |
| Movie Collection Starter Kit | X | X | X |
| Outlook Add-in | | | X |
| Personal Web Site Starter Kit | | X | X |
| Pocket PC 2003: Class Library | | X | X |
| Pocket PC 2003: Class Library (1.0) | | X | X |
| Pocket PC 2003: Console Application | | X | X |
| Pocket PC 2003: Console Application (1.0) | | X | X |
| Pocket PC 2003: Control Library | | X | X |
| Pocket PC 2003: Device Application | | X | X |
| Pocket PC 2003: Device Application (1.0) | | X | X |
| Pocket PC 2003: Empty Project | | X | X |
| Pocket PC 2003: Empty Project (1.0) | | X | X |
| Screen Saver Starter Kit | X | X | X |
| SQL Server Project | | | X |
| Smartphone 2003: Class Library (1.0) | | X | X |
| Smartphone 2003: Console Application (1.0) | | X | X |
| Smartphone 2003: Device Application (1.0) | | X | X |
| Smartphone 2003: Empty Project (1.0) | | X | X |
| Test Project | | | X |
| Web Control Library | | X | X |
| Windows Application | X | X | X |
| Windows CE 5.0: Class Library | | X | X |
| Windows CE 5.0: Console Application | | X | X |
| Windows CE 5.0: Control Library | | X | X |
| Windows CE 5.0: Device Application | | X | X |
| Windows CE 5.0: Empty Project | | X | X |
| Windows Control Library | | X | X |
| Windows Service | | | X |
| Word Document | | | X |
| Word Template | | | X |
For more information on available project templates and items, see Default Project Templates in Visual Studio. For information on File Types File Types and File Extensions in Visual Basic, Visual C#, and Visual J#.
The following designers are included in Visual Basic.
|
Feature
|
Description
|
Microsoft Visual Basic 2005 Express Edition
|
Visual Studio 2005 Standard
|
Visual Studio 2005 Professional and above
|
| Web Forms Designer | Provides a set of visual tools for working with ASP.NET Web Forms pages and controls. | | | X |
| Windows Forms Designer | Provides a set of visual tools for working with Windows Forms and controls. | X | X | X |
| Component Designer | Provides a set of visual tools for working with nonvisual components. | | | X |
| XML Schema Designer (XML Designer) | Provides a set of visual tools for working with XML schemas, ADO.NET datasets, and XML documents. | | | X |
| Visual Database Tools | Provides a set of tools for working with databases. | X | X | X |
| Class View | Displays the symbols defined, referenced, or called in the application you are developing | | X | X |
| Crystal Reports | Provides tools to create reports for Windows and Web applications. | | | X |
| Report Viewer | Provides reporting tools for custom applications. | | X | |
To see a complete listing of the features in various editions of Visual Studio, see Visual Studio Editions.
Tasks
How to: Modify Project Properties and Configuration Settings
Reference
Visual Basic Settings
Concepts
Installation and Setup Essentials
Visual Database Tools Editions
Project Types in Visual Basic Express
Other Resources
Visual Studio Editions