Differnce between Visual studio express edition and Developer version

[msmydream]

I have a doubt...

What all are the key differnce between visual studio express edition and the actul visual studio licenced version?

The key feature differnce is what i am interested

[kenobewan]

I believe the key difference is that the express version is free. HTH.

[Curtis Rutland]

Well, for one thing, the full version of visual studio lets you do all the projects in one program. Web, C#, VB.NET, and several other project types all in one place. Also, I don't believe that VS Express will let you build setup packages.

There's probably more, but those are the things that I've personally run into.

[joedeene]

i also think that WCF is not supported in the express editions, and mobile apps, and such i dont believe are supported either...

joedeene

[Frinavale]

It seems to me that you cannot easily compare these systems.
First of all the Visual Studio 2008 Express Edition seems to be downloadable in pieces; whereas Visual Studio 2008 Professional or Standard is a package of all the tools you need to develop any type of project in any language.

I've never used the Visual Studio Express edition for developing so I don't know what it's limitations are.

If you are a professional developer looking to develop an application for a company I would recommend purchasing Visual Studio.

If you are just looking to try out developing in .NET, by all means try out the Express edition.

Please note that if you are being contracted it is a good idea to have the full version of Visual Studio.

If you attend Microsoft or .NET conferences/conventions/user groups you may be able to obtain a free copy of Visual Studio (that's how I got mine).

-Frinny

[joedeene]

also, i once read, and by my experience with the express editions, that in the express editions services are not supported, unlike the professional or developer version which has that capability.

joedeene