Try our new research platform with insights from 80,000+ expert users
it_user5931 - PeerSpot reviewer
it_user5931
Developer at a university with 51-200 employees
Vendor
Apr 16, 2013
Download
Visual Studio .Net is the Best IDE for Programmers and IT Students
Pros and Cons
  • "Being an educator and a programmer for 8 years, I can say that Visual Studio .Net is the best development tool for desktop and web applications."
  • "Visual Studio.Net is only used for Microsoft Windows operating system."

What is most valuable?

It was in 2004 when I first experienced Visual Studio 2003 as an IT student. Now that I am working as a programmer, I used the newer version which is Visual Studio 2008. Here are the few reasons why I chose .Net for so many years: • I can create console, Windows form, Web Forms, Smart device and mobile applications, XML web and windows services using different languages such as Visual Basic, C#, J# and C++ • I love the drag and drop ability of the items and controls using Visual Designers • I love the Toolbox with many useful and unique items that even Netbeans or Eclipse does not have such as Timer, DateTimePicker, Process Dialog and etc. • I adore the integrated, highly professional looking Crystal in VS 2008 and later versions • Express editions are free and suitable for students

What needs improvement?

• Visual Studio.Net is only used for Microsoft Windows Operating system. • Other than the express edition, Visual studio products are not for free. • Crystal Report is not included in Visual Studio 2010 and 2012 and requires a separate download.

What other advice do I have?

Being an educator and a programmer for 8 years, I can say that Visual Studio .Net is the best development tool for desktop and web applications. I am absolutely recommending Visual Studio .Net to my fellow programmers, web developers and even to students, hobbyists and new learners.
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Flag as inappropriate
PeerSpot user
it_user6579 - PeerSpot reviewer
it_user6579Engineer at a tech services company with 1,001-5,000 employees
Consultant
Report as inappropriate

Nicely explained article, I really agree with author on some points that are:

1) Provide great feature for creating User Interface with drag and drop functionality
2) Provides flexibility to use different computer languages for creating the windows based application
3) And the most beneficial feature of .NET framework is Intellisense which helps the developers to code in speedy and efficient way.
4) The applications written on .NET platform may appear or work differently on another Operating Systems i.e Not much platform independent.

Like(0)Reply
See all 2 comments
PeerSpot user
it_user1164
Infrastructure Expert at a tech services company with 51-200 employees
Consultant
Jul 13, 2012
Download
.NET is great for business apps, editors, anything that doesn't require really optimized code.
Pros and Cons
    • "Needs skills, and some versions have less features."

    Valuable Features:

    It provides manageable code execution, it's object oriented, the .net framework comes with ado.net, it uses xml to transfer data between the various layers in the architecture, has error handling properties, automatic memory management, disconnected architecture, and is a multi-platform application. It is a consistent programming model, has multi-language integration, and ease of development.

    Room for Improvement:

    Needs skills, and some versions have less features. One cannot run unsaved code or use generics and operator overloading. It requires a .net framework which xp sp3 doesn’t have.
    Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
    Flag as inappropriate
    PeerSpot user
    it_user4401 - PeerSpot reviewer
    it_user4401Developer at a transportation company with 1,001-5,000 employees
    Vendor
    Report as inappropriate

    Yes, you are right Mark, by using functions the developer can get an improved performance.

    Like(0)Reply
    See all 5 comments
    Buyer's Guide
    Microsoft Visual Studio
    March 2026
    Free Report: Microsoft Visual Studio Reviews and More
    Learn what your peers think about Microsoft Visual Studio. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: March 2026.
    DOWNLOAD NOW
    885,264 professionals have used our research since 2012.
    PeerSpot user
    it_user1122
    Infrastructure Expert at a tech services company with 1,001-5,000 employees
    Consultant
    Jul 12, 2012
    Download
    Visual Studio will continue to be a industry standard IDE for Windows for the foreseeable future.
    Pros and Cons
    • "The Visual Studio IDE is excellent in design and function."
    • ".NET apps are only compatible with Windows Phone 8 and Windows platforms."

    Valuable Features:

    The Visual Studio IDE is excellent in design and function. It allows you to code for a wide variety of software, including web and platform software. It supports quite a few different programming languages. It also has a GUI based visual interface editor built in, which is easy to use and allows for quick turn around in prototyping software designs.There is a free "Express" version of the IDE software available as well.

    Room for Improvement:

    .NET apps are only compatible with Windows Phone 8 and Windows platforms. Visual Basic.NET is the primary language that Visual Studio is targeted for. Also, the price for the IDE can be expensive.

    Other Advice:

    Personally, I prefer using Visual Studio as it has the code auto-complete feature, which is really awesome if you've forgotten the name of the function or API that you are calling.
    Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
    Flag as inappropriate
    PeerSpot user
    it_user3876 - PeerSpot reviewer
    it_user3876Database Manager at a tech company with 51-200 employees
    Real User
    Report as inappropriate

    Code auto completion facility is also available in other IDEs' like Eclipse. So, if this facility is the only reason for preferring Visual Studio, than why you dont prefer Eclipse?

    Like(0)Reply
    it_user1077 - PeerSpot reviewer
    it_user1077
    Developer at a tech company with 51-200 employees
    Real User
    Jul 2, 2012
    Download
    Visual Studio.NET is a state of the art, Integrated Development Environment (IDE) from Microsoft Corporation.
    Pros and Cons
    • "Offers an excellent platform to develop Desktop, Web, and Mobile Applications."
    • "Code editor is expensive."

    Valuable Features:

    Offers an excellent platform to develop Desktop, Web, and Mobile Applications.Supports various programming languages.Includes various features for rapid application development (Like Drag & Drop, IntelliSense).

    Room for Improvement:

    As .NET Framework bundles more and more components, utilities, and API's, the size of the downloadable is large..NET desktop applications can run only on a windows platform.Code editor is expensive.

    Other Advice:

    Even though Visual Studio.NET offers great features and functions, the cross-platform issues cannot be overlooked.
    Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
    Flag as inappropriate
    PeerSpot user
    it_user6579 - PeerSpot reviewer
    it_user6579Engineer at a tech services company with 1,001-5,000 employees
    Consultant
    Report as inappropriate

    Great article by author Engineer359, certainly the Visual Studio.NET is a state of the art, Integrated Development Environment available in the market. Even there are some advantages and disadvantages of the framework which i would like to add:

    Advantages:
    1) Easy to learn
    2) Can be used for creating Desktop, Web and Mobile Applications

    Disadvantages:
    1) As said by the author .NET Framework bundles more and more components, utilities, and API's so the learning curve is big.
    2) Desktop Applications cab be created for windows platform only.

    Like(0)Reply
    reviewer2216280 - PeerSpot reviewer
    reviewer2216280
    Software Developer at a financial services firm with 1-10 employees
    Real User
    Aug 9, 2023
    Download
    Has good community support and interactive testing feature
    Pros and Cons
    • "The tool is good for interactive testing. It has good integrations and works well for remote services. The product also has features for collaborative work where it allows others to control my screen. It has a good community for every language."
    • "I have faced configuration issues with Microsoft Visual Studio."

    What is our primary use case?

    I use the product to develop software. 

    What is most valuable?

    The tool is good for interactive testing. It has good integrations and works well for remote services. The product also has features for collaborative work where it allows others to control my screen. It has a good community for every language. 

    What needs improvement?

    I have faced configuration issues with Microsoft Visual Studio. 

    For how long have I used the solution?

    I have been using the solution for two years. 

    What do I think about the stability of the solution?

    The solution is stable. 

    What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

    I would rate Microsoft Visual Studio's scalability an eight out of ten. 

    How are customer service and support?

    I haven't reached out to the tool's support. 

    How was the initial setup?

    Microsoft Visual Studio's setup is straightforward. It is easy to download the solution and you need to allow permissions depending on whether you are a Mac or Windows user.  

    What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

    I use Microsoft Visual Studio's free version. 

    What other advice do I have?

    I would rate the tool a nine out of ten. 

    Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

    On-premises
    Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
    Flag as inappropriate
    PeerSpot user
    reviewer2784381 - PeerSpot reviewer
    reviewer2784381
    Lead at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees
    Real User
    Top 5Leaderboard
    Dec 5, 2025
    Download
    Developing and debugging complex backend services has become faster and more reliable
    Pros and Cons
    • "If you are looking for a very complete IDE for developers that can support their job with a lot of functionalities and plugins, choose Microsoft Visual Studio."
    • "Microsoft Visual Studio can be improved by integrating an agent that can support developers in the development process."

    What is our primary use case?

    I use Microsoft Visual Studio for developing .NET applications. I developed the backend of web applications, microservices, and APIs deployed on Kubernetes using Microsoft Visual Studio.

    What is most valuable?

    Microsoft Visual Studio is an IDE that supports developers during development, which I find very valuable and helpful. Microsoft Visual Studio simplifies developer work, and for example, code autocompletion speeds up development. The integrated test and debug functionalities help developers accomplish their tasks more effectively.

    What needs improvement?

    Microsoft Visual Studio can be improved by integrating an agent that can support developers in the development process. I did not give Microsoft Visual Studio a 10 because I believe it can still be improved, even though it is a very good IDE.

    For how long have I used the solution?

    I have used Microsoft Visual Studio for several years and continue to use it currently.

    What other advice do I have?

    If you are looking for a very complete IDE for developers that can support their job with a lot of functionalities and plugins, choose Microsoft Visual Studio. I rate this product highly based on its comprehensive features and reliability.

    Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

    Private Cloud

    If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?

    Other
    Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
    Last updated: Dec 5, 2025
    Flag as inappropriate
    PeerSpot user
    Buyer's Guide
    Download our free Microsoft Visual Studio Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.
    Updated: March 2026
    DOWNLOAD NOW
    Product Categories
    .NET Development Services
    Buyer's Guide
    Download our free Microsoft Visual Studio Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.
    Buyer's Guide
    Microsoft Visual Studio
    March 2026
    DOWNLOAD NOW
    Quick Links
    Learn More: Questions: