Visual Basic Editions

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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

Visual Basic Express

Visual Studio Standard

Visual Studio Professional and above

ASP.NET Server Control

 

X

X

ASP.NET Web Application

 

X

X

ASP.NET Web Site

 

X

X

ASP.NET Web Service

 

X

X

ASP.NET Crystal Reports Web Site

 

 

X

ASP.NET AJAX Server Control

 

X

X

ASP.NET AJAX Server Control Extender

 

X

X

ASP.NET AJAX Web Site

 

X

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

Outlook Add-in

 

 

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

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

WCF Service Application

 

X

X

Web Control Library

 

X

X

Windows Forms 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 Forms Control Library

 

X

X

Windows Service

 

 

X

WF Empty Workflow

 

X

X

WF Sequential Workflow

 

X

X

WF Sequential Workflow Library

 

X

X

WF State Machine Workflow

 

X

X

WF State Machine Workflow Library

 

X

X

WF Workflow Activity Library

 

X

X

Word Document

 

 

X

Word Template

 

 

X

WPF Application

X

X

X

WPF Browser Application

X

X

X

WPF Custom Control Library

 

X

X

WPF User Control Library

 

X

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 and Visual C#.

Visual Tools

The following designers are included in Visual Basic.

Feature

Description

Visual Basic Express

Visual Studio Standard

Visual Studio 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

WPF Designer

Provides a set of visual tools for working with WPF applications.

X

X

X

Component Designer

Provides a set of visual tools for working with nonvisual components.

 

 

X

XML Editor

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

 

See Also

Tasks

How to: Modify Project Properties and Configuration Settings

Concepts

Installation and Setup Essentials

Visual Database Tools Editions

Project Types in Visual Basic Express

Reference

Visual Basic Settings