Microsoft has just relased a whitepaper which gives a great overview of VS2008. VS2008 is centeret around three pillars:
Improve Developer Productivity
In Visual Studio 2008, developer productivity doesn’t end with the code editor and wizards. By extending this concept to application architectures and the underlying platform, Visual Studio 2008 delivers not only a productive development tool, but also enables developers to tackle new business problems while decreasing the total cost of solution construction. In Visual Studio 2008 developers, designers, and database professionals will see new tools and frameworks become available to simplify their tasks.
Manage the Application Life Cycle
Visual Studio 2008 enhances the end-to-end value of Visual Studio Team System by increasing its role-based coverage and delivering enhanced traceability throughout the software development life cycle. With deep integration across roles in the software life cycle and the Team Foundation Server, Team System enables customers to amplify the impact of their teams and improve software quality.
Employ the Latest Technologies
As users look for new ways to comprehend and retain information, developers must still grapple with basic desktop and application security. Visual Studio, Windows Vista, and the 2007 Office system, enable developers to deliver a safe, robust and compelling user experience in any type of application. These fundamental advances enable customers to rapidly create connected applications that deliver the highest quality, rich user experiences regardless of project complexity or organization size.
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