Summary

In this chapter, we overviewed the many flavors of Visual Studio that are available. We outlined the key differences between the various products Microsoft offers under the Visual Studio marketing umbrella to enable you to make an informed choice about which version will work best for you.

VS 2019 (Windows) is a very popular choice of IDE and has evolved considerably over its more than twenty-year existence. Simplified version differences and improved capabilities have made the Community version a usable tool for individuals and organizations that meet the licensing requirements. For those that don't, the Professional version is a relatively affordable version that is included in a number of Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) subscriptions.

Visual Studio for Mac is a relatively new introduction but continues to improve with each release. The "look and feel" moves closer to the Windows version with each release, and the functionality continues to grow. For a full-featured IDE, it is becoming a very strong tool for non-Windows developers.

VS Code (Windows, Mac, and Linux versions) has grown into a very capable, useful IDE with support for multiple operating systems, multiple programming languages, and multiple workflows. From .NET to Python, NodeJS, Ruby, Java, and others, the support and strength of the plugins varies, but the core features of VS Code shine through and make the experience pleasant.

Regardless of your choice, operating system, or preferences, each tool comes with an excellent installation experience that makes it very easy for you to get up and running quickly. With Visual Studio now installed, you are ready to get started with keyboard shortcuts in the next chapter.