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CharlesChang - PeerSpot reviewer
Department Manager, Certification Project Management at Institute for Information Industry
Real User
Top 10
Have streamlined development with debugging features but face challenges with performance due to bloat

What is our primary use case?

I create my site or application for my company for internal use only.

What is most valuable?

The best feature of Microsoft Visual Studio for debugging applications is IntelliSense, which I refer to as autocomplete. Additionally, the integration capabilities with Microsoft DevOps Server streamline my development process efficiently, making it perfectly integrated with Microsoft Visual Studio.

What needs improvement?

The software has become larger than before, requiring a powerful desktop or notebook to run Microsoft Visual Studio. I must use or install all the features which makes Microsoft Visual Studio bulky. Some optional installation methods to remove features I do not use could improve the experience.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using it for more than fifteen years.
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What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Performance is a problem because if I use a notebook that is not high-end, Microsoft Visual Studio may experience lag sometimes.

How are customer service and support?

I think the support could be better because the documentation and other resources, such as videos, are too numerous, making it hard to find the correct one. AI support could be a good addition.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Neutral

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

I used Microsoft Visual Studio Code and no others.

How was the initial setup?

There is no trouble or problem to install it. I can handle the installation myself.

What about the implementation team?

I can install the solution by myself.

What was our ROI?

Microsoft Visual Studio saves me time, approximately forty percent.

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

Microsoft Visual Studio is expensive.

What other advice do I have?

The main concern is that the documentation is so detailed and vast that it takes a lot of time to sift through. I would rate Microsoft Visual Studio seven out of ten.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
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Oluseyi Osifalujo - PeerSpot reviewer
Executive Director at Precise Financial Systems Limited
Real User
Top 5
Team collaboration improves and coding efficiency is boosted through advanced features

What is our primary use case?

We use Microsoft Visual Studio for developing our software solutions. We identify gaps in the market and build solutions to address those challenges. Our operations are based in Nigeria, and our development primarily supports the Windows platform.

What is most valuable?

Visual Studio's collaborative features with Azure DevOps are valuable to us. It allows various team members to collaborate on the same project, maintain consistency, and deliver products that fulfill client promises. We use Azure DevOps for source code repository, enabling synchronization and consistency. Additionally, the integration of AI and enhanced refactoring in the IDE boosts coding efficiency. The suggestions make coding easier, thus improving productivity and reducing errors.

What needs improvement?

Refactoring in Microsoft Visual Studio could be further optimized. While it is better than before, some third-party tools currently outperform it but come at a cost.

For how long have I used the solution?

We have been using Microsoft Visual Studio for around twenty years, starting from the early days of Visual Basic to .NET and now .NET Core.

What was my experience with deployment of the solution?

The initial setup of Microsoft Visual Studio is extremely easy. It is a breeze for our developers, and there have been no reported issues with the setup.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Microsoft Visual Studio is highly stable. I have not received any negative feedback from our developers regarding stability.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Based on our use, Microsoft Visual Studio has a high level of scalability. I would rate it as nine.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We have always used Microsoft Visual Studio for development. It came naturally with what we were comfortable using from the start.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is very easy. There have been no challenges, and developers find the process straightforward.

What about the implementation team?

Developers install Microsoft Visual Studio on their work machines, and they take ownership from that point. There have been no maintenance needs reported.

What was our ROI?

Our investment in Microsoft Visual Studio is affected by the economic conditions in Nigeria. We invest in developer certification, but pricing products in local currency can be challenging due to the initial investment in technology acquired in dollars.

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

We have subscriptions with Microsoft, and although it would be ideal to have it for free, we understand the need for fair pricing, which I rate as five or six.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

Not really. The decision to use Microsoft Visual Studio was based on its acceptance and availability at the time the company started.

What other advice do I have?

I would rate Microsoft Visual Studio overall as nine. Our limited use of its components and features satisfies all our requirements. No functionality we needed was unmet. It fits our needs well. The overall product rating would be nine out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
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Usman ur Rehman Ahmed - PeerSpot reviewer
Vice President for Cloud Application Developement and Genereative AI Solutions at Systems Limited
Real User
Top 5Leaderboard
Comprehensive coverage for seamless development across platforms

What is our primary use case?

I use Microsoft Visual Studio across the entire software development lifecycle, mainly for development, testing, analysis, deployment, and monitoring.

What is most valuable?

The versatility and platform coverage of Microsoft Visual Studio make it a standard and stable product across Linux, Windows, and Mac. It provides countless features, is lightweight, and offers extensive extensions coverage. It serves as a one-stop shop no matter the platform or language I use.

What needs improvement?

Microsoft Visual Studio offers a strong ecosystem, with its own marketplace for third-party solutions. There is room for improvement in search by extension, but the integration of AI through extensions like GitHub Copilot is a well-thought-out approach.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Microsoft Visual Studio for more than a decade, maybe at least twelve to thirteen years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Microsoft Visual Studio is very stable, scoring around nine to nine point five out of ten.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Choosing the right version of Microsoft Visual Studio can address any scalability concerns. While Visual Studio Code may present limitations, upgrading to the enterprise version resolves these.

How are customer service and support?

Support centers are available, and it is generally adequate, but I may not be the best person to comment on technical support interactions.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Positive

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

Once I used Microsoft Visual Studio, I have never moved on to any other solutions.

How was the initial setup?

The installation of Microsoft Visual Studio provides a seamless experience for everyone, regardless of the version or platform.

What was our ROI?

Microsoft Visual Studio provides value for money, enabling time and cost savings. Its features are unmatched at this price range.

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

The pricing of Microsoft Visual Studio is competitive from an organizational perspective, both for smaller and larger organizations.

What other advice do I have?

The rating for Microsoft Visual Studio would be nine since it is one of the finest tools I have used. It provides a seamless experience and comprehensive coverage of the development process. Some might argue that AI should be integrated directly within Visual Studio itself, but the extension approach is a decent solution.
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
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Rajnish-Sharma - PeerSpot reviewer
Senior technical project manager at net solutions
Real User
Top 5
Allows for easy integration with other tools such as MS Teams
Pros and Cons
  • "The code analysis tool is particularly valuable as it eliminates the need for manual code reviews."
  • "Sometimes, the deprecation of packages can be a challenge."

What is our primary use case?

We use Visual Studio for website development and related tasks. It's been quite helpful for us.

What is most valuable?

From a professional perspective, I've been using Visual Studio since childhood, so I find it very useful. The code analysis tool is particularly valuable as it eliminates the need for manual code reviews. 

Many essential features are built-in, making it a great tool. Additionally, it allows for easy integration with other tools like MS Teams, which enhances its usefulness.

What needs improvement?

Sometimes, the deprecation of packages can be a challenge. Although Visual Studio provides suggestions when we compile and encounter deprecated packages, it can still be confusing. Even after multiple attempts, we may struggle to fix these deprecated packages and related issues. So, it is one of the areas of improvement in Visual Studio. 

I have been working on a website that I inherited from a client, and when I tried to run it on my system, I discovered that some of the packages were either depreciated or no longer in use. It would be helpful if Visual Studio could suggest and handle such unused packages in a more user-friendly manner.

I am suggesting this as an area of improvement because recently I was working on a bigger client project. The project was functioning correctly on my system but not on another system. Later, I found that some packages were depreciated, which might have caused the issue. However, we couldn't determine the exact reason for the difference in behavior because we used the same ZIP file and the same Visual Studio version. Then, when the person tried to run the same code on her system, it didn't work. It seemed to be related to the deprecated packages. Ultimately, the solution we eventually found was to set up a new system for her, reinstalling Microsoft Visual Studio and related components. 

Another area that could greatly benefit from Microsoft within Visual Studio is unit testing. It's a pain point for every software developer. If Microsoft can provide better tools or features related to unit testing, it would be really helpful. Especially when working on complex projects, writing comprehensive test cases can be time-consuming. However, clients often cannot afford to pay for that additional time in the competitive market. 

So in future releases, having some automation capabilities or built-in support for generating test cases would be great. Although we can integrate third-party automation testing tools, they are often paid solutions. For example, I've noticed the presence of plugins like ChatGPT in Visual Studio Code, but I'm not fully aware of their capabilities. Therefore, if Visual Studio could offer some level of automation for test cases, it would be a valuable addition. 

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Microsoft Visual Studio for over 15 years. 

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

I would rate the stability of Visual Studio a ten out of ten.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Microsoft has gained a lot of confidence in the market, so I would rate the scalability of Visual Studio around eight out of ten.

Based on my recent experience, sometimes, we faced difficulties with the same set of codes. Therefore, considering the recent incident, I leaned toward an eight and not a ten for scalability. 

In my company, around 20 people are using this solution.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is very simple. Microsoft has made it very easy to set up.

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

Price-wise, it is good. We are using the paid versions, and the price is reasonable. For our company, it's a genuine price.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

I have only worked with Visual Studio. 

What other advice do I have?

Overall, I rate it a ten. It's very user-friendly and feature-rich.

However, there's always room for improvement in the product. Features like automation test cases to meet market requirements would be beneficial.

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?

Microsoft Azure
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
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KamleshPant - PeerSpot reviewer
Senior Software Architect at USEReady
MSP
Top 5Leaderboard
Integrated tools and extensions offer straightforward and efficient code development

What is our primary use case?

I use Microsoft Visual Studio occasionally. I prefer writing code directly on Notepad++, but when I need the IDE support, I use Microsoft Visual Studio for faster and better code development. It offers a good experience for individuals who are handy with IDEs.

What is most valuable?

Microsoft Visual Studio is integrated with all tools and offers all necessary extensions, making it very convenient. It offers Git connectivity for all Git repositories. I find all its activities to be straightforward and efficient.

What needs improvement?

Maybe some documentation could be better. They can generate some educational videos online, which would be helpful.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Microsoft Visual Studio for the last five to six years, but I do not use it frequently.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Microsoft Visual Studio is stable. I have not encountered any problems.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

I use Microsoft Visual Studio on an individual basis, so I am not familiar with its scalability in terms of adding or deleting users, which may be an IT admin function.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

I use Notepad++ more often than Microsoft Visual Studio.

How was the initial setup?

The installation of Microsoft Visual Studio is simple, and one person can manage it.

What was our ROI?

The ROI includes time savings, which are approximately ten to twenty percent.

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

As a partner, the cost may be part of an integrated license package. I am not sure about specific pricing details.

What other advice do I have?

Maybe sometimes Microsoft Visual Studio hangs if your computer resources are limited. Rating it, I would give it eight points overall.

Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
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Software engineer at Punjab Group
Real User
Top 5
Stable platform with efficient built-in features
Pros and Cons
  • "The system can efficiently manage the databases."
  • "They could add new modules to the platform for enhanced functioning."

What is our primary use case?

The platform's use cases depend on the entire system diagram. For instance, if we have login software, it determines the users' access level. It helps admin users in uploading and managing user accounts. Other users can register, validate passwords, save, download, and upload tasks.

What is most valuable?

The system can efficiently manage the databases.

What needs improvement?

They could add new modules to the platform for enhanced functioning. If we have a new system, we can add new features and improve the product to make it better than the previous system.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Microsoft Visual Studio's latest version, 6.0, for two years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Visual Studio is stable.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

It is a scalable platform.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

Previously, we used Sublime for backend connectivity. We switched because Sublime is a basic and not a standard tool for companies. We can create only small projects using it. However, Microsoft Visual Studio is an open-source tool that offers a lot of technologies. With its help, we can develop applications in various languages, create Windows or iOS software, and even build console applications.

How was the initial setup?

The setup process is easy if we are already working on a project. It is complex if we want to create a new project from start to end. The time taken for deployment depends on what kind of project we are working with. In case of any queries, we refer to YouTube videos, ChatGPT, and Google to find the solutions.

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

I'm using the platform's open-source version.

What other advice do I have?

If you're working on a simple project, Microsoft Visual Studio might be more than you need. You can go for it if you plan to create bigger software. It offers a wide range of built-in features. I rate it a nine out of ten.

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
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Nishan Timilsina - PeerSpot reviewer
Mobile Engeneer at ServiceLInk inc
Real User
Beneficial UI functionality, complete development kit, and performs well
Pros and Cons
  • "The most valuable features of Microsoft Visual Studio are the UI functionality where you can do software development. Everything is available there that you need. You can create the UI, and code, develop and compile it."
  • "Microsoft Visual Studio can improve by adding more features to the Mac version. There are a lot of features lacking in the Mac version, there are limitations. I can install Microsoft Visual Studio on the Mac operating system, but it is not the same as if I installed it on a Microsoft Windows system. The Microsoft Windows version has a lot of features available in Microsoft Visual Studio."

What is our primary use case?

I'm using Microsoft Visual Studio for developing mobile applications using Xamarin. It's similar to a software development kit (SDK).

What is most valuable?

The most valuable features of Microsoft Visual Studio are the UI functionality where you can do software development. Everything is available there that you need. You can create the UI, and code, develop and compile it.

What needs improvement?

Microsoft Visual Studio can improve by adding more features to the Mac version. There are a lot of features lacking in the Mac version, there are limitations. I can install Microsoft Visual Studio on the Mac operating system, but it is not the same as if I installed it on a Microsoft Windows system. The Microsoft Windows version has a lot of features available in Microsoft Visual Studio.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Microsoft Visual Studio for approximately nine years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The stability of Microsoft Visual Studio is good.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Microsoft Visual Studio is scalable. I can write a lot of code and there is not any problem with performance.

We have approximately 200 IT department people using this solution in my organization.

How are customer service and support?

When we have an issue we generally put it in the online forum or email to receive a reply. They provide a response within 24 hours, which is good.

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

The price of Microsoft Visual Studio is approximately $400 annually.

What other advice do I have?

My advice to others is Microsoft Visual Studio is a good tool for development. It is easy to handle and use, and it has a clean UI design. Overall it is not complicated. Anyone can use it to develop any web application or mobile application. It's cross-platform, it can run on Microsoft Windows and macOS. The cross-platform features are good.

I rate Microsoft Visual Studio a nine out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Public Cloud
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
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Micheale See - PeerSpot reviewer
Senior Business System Developer at AVEVA
Real User
Breakout point,and interface design are easy to use, but the solution is not really good at debugging JavaScript, jQuery, or SQL
Pros and Cons
  • "The solution includes a debug function that I can breakpoint to easily detect what is wrong with my applications."
  • "The solution is not really good at debugging JavaScript, jQuery, or SQL"

What is our primary use case?

I write all of my web applications and perform debugs with the solution. Our company is a Microsoft partner and has 1,000 developers and technical team members that are dispersed across the UK, US, and Asia Pacific.

How has it helped my organization?

The breakout point, interface design, and coding areas are WYSIWYG and easy to use. 

What is most valuable?

The solution includes a debug function that I can breakpoint to easily detect what is wrong with my applications. It is really good for debugging C# code. It identifies which lines or sections have problems and if your naming is incorrect.

What needs improvement?

The solution is not really good at debugging JavaScript, jQuery, or SQL. 

For SQL, sometimes I get alerts that there are non-values or mismatches but the line or section is not identified. I get very generic information with SQL. I have to install ELMAH open source code into our SQL so Visual Studio can track it. 

For jQuery, I have to add the debugger command manually. 

Sometimes, when upgrading the product, certain features are removed even though they are very good like EDMS. There was a VISA for connecting databases and creating an entity framework that would generate connections and pulses. It was removed from the latest release so now it needs to be added manually. I like enhancements but would prefer they not remove features as it makes things more difficult. 

When they release things like .NET Core, the solution becomes unstable. There needs to be a long-term plan because so many versions have been released that some are duplicates. Let's say I'm using .NET Core version 5 and they change it to .NET 5 or 6.0, the releases are too quick and completely duplicated. 

Every new release includes duplicates of features. Some are very useful but when they are duplicated, I have to rewrite or upgrade my code. This makes it difficult for a developer and is not a long-term solution. In one year, I've already spent money to develop my apps, and then I have to upgrade the code again. 

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using the solution for 20 years. 

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The solution is not very stable and sometimes hangs. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The solution is scalable and adding users is no problem. 

How are customer service and support?

I rely on internal staff for technical support. I believe Microsoft requires you to register as a customer before you can utilize their support. There's an online forum where you can post questions and get quick replies from other users. 

How was the initial setup?

Setup and use are easy. 

Deployment varies based on the size of your project. 

Small, web-deployed projects take less than five minutes and we are ready to publish the web app to Azure. 

For on-premises, we build the DLL and web package in advance. It takes 20-30 minutes to import because you have to upload to the file server, download the package, and import the application.  

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

Our company is a Microsoft partner so we only use their solutions. 

What other advice do I have?

If you want to use .NET or C#, then Visual Studio is the best solution. 

I rate the solution a seven out of ten. 

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: partner
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Download our free Microsoft Visual Studio Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.