Journey through .NET 1.0 to .NET 3.5

.NET Framework has covered long path and .NET 3.5 is available for developers. In the similar fashion Visual Studio 2008 has also been developed each time to accompany the newly developed .NET Framerowk version.

Lets understand about these evolution of various .NET Framework versions and Visual Studio suite.

.NET Framework --|---Year----|---CLR---|-------Supported VS
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
.NET 1.0 -------------2001-------1.0.3705------Visual Studio 2002(Rainer)
.NET 1.1--------------2002-------1.1.4322------Visual Studio 2003(Everett)
.NET 2.0-------------2005-------2.0.50727----Visual Studio 2005(Whidbey)
.NET 3.0-------------2006-------2.0.50727----VS 2005 extensions for.NET 3.0
.NET 3.5-------------2008-------2.0.50727----Visual Studio 2008 (Orcas)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

.NET 3.0 comes with following brand new features:
* WPF(Windows Presentation Foundation)
* WCF (Windows Communication Foundation)
* WWF or WF(Windows Workflow Foundation)
*WC (Windows Cardspace)

.NET 3.5 comes with following brand new features:
*LINQ (Language Integrated Query)
*ADO .NET 3.5 with Entity Framework
*ASP.NET 3.5

Location of .NET 3.5 Specific Assemblies

Once you have Visual Studio 2008 in your machine, the folder location of .NET 3.5 related assemblies for LINQ and ADO.NET 3.5 etc will be on a different location than the traditional location C:\WINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\Framework
of all other .NET Framework deployments in your machine

The .NET 3.5 specific assemblies can be found at the location as shown in the figure below

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Review of uCertify's C# 70-536 exam .NET Preparation Kit

Recently I got an opportunity to review the .NET Preparation Kits produced by uCertify - The fastest way to IT Certification

I was tasked to review the MCTS 70-536 C# exam preparation kit titled: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 Application Development Foundation. While reviewing the preparation kit for 70-536 I found the methodology used to teach the concepts are very good and the concepts are covered in such a way that a beginner or a professional will be equally benefited.
Various types of practice tests helps you to be tough and well prepared when you appear for the real test. Each test covers all the concepts as per the Microsoft requirements and helps to prepare gradually and also to see your progress. I believe that this exam is one of the most usable exams as it opens the entry for three other MCTS exams as well. I personally feel, that Investing in 70-536 preparation kit available at 70-536-CSHARP - C#.NET 2.0 Application Development Foundation practice test will be an asset for any MCTS aspitant.

If you want to purchase .NET Preparation kits from uCertify then you can avail 10% discount as being my blog reader. Provide the discount code "VVRAGA" during your online purchase order when asked and enjoy the .NET Preparation kits to help you achieve your desired Microsoft certification.

Lets also have look at the user friendly and easy to use dashboard of uCertify's preparation kits.

Reasons I think, to Upgrade to Visual Studio 2008

1.Build Applications which can run on and support Multiple versions of the .NET Framework
2.LINQ support to work with Data in a Unified and Integrated way
3.Support to Build Office 2003/2007 based Applications.
4.Amazing Unit Testing support on right click in the code view and dedicated Test Project Template.
5.Ground level support for Windows Vista Applications
6.SilverLight can be done here, which seems to be the latest WEB User Interface Technique
7.Facinating enough to have dedicated Project Templates for WPF, WCF and Workflow

How to Un-Install the previous Orcas CTPs, Betas before installing VS 2008 RTM

You may face some issues while installing VS2008 over the previously installed Orcas CTPs or Beta editions.

You need to un-install all the previous versions before you start work with the VS 2008 RTM.

Let's have look at the steps availabe on the MSDN

Visual Studio 2008 RTM is Available now

VS 2008 RTM is availabe to download for MSDN Subscribers
Get VS 2008