Microsoft’s Visual Studio 2012 Update 1 is now available for download, which will help users in their development for Windows XP, while allowing them to thoroughly test their work. The new update spans four areas of investment that include windows development, SharePoint development, agile teams, and continuous quality.
The update is more than just bug fixes. The new and enhanced features in Visual Studio 2012 Update 1 remain closely aligned with the tooling that appeared in the October Community Technology Preview. Designated CTP 3, it offered the first look at new Windows 8 diagnostics and testing features; Visual C++ 2012 development targeting Windows XP; SharePoint 2010 load and coded UI testing; and a Kanban board for project management and workflow visualization in Visual Studio 2012 Team Foundation Server.
In a post on the official Visual Studio blog, S. Somasegar, the Corporate Vice President of Microsoft’s Developer Division, writes about what’s been added in this first update. It includes some additions to help developers make Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 apps.
According to Brian Harry, the program unit manager for Team Foundation Server, the Update model is replacing Service Packs. “We have changed the model from a single Service Pack between major releases to a sequence of ‘Updates,'” Harry explained in his blog on Monday. “So you can, kind of, think of Update 1 as SP1. I suppose it’s possible that, at some point, we will decide to name one of the Updates as an ‘SP’ but that won’t really change anything. We’re shipping VS 2012 updates. We’ll ship several between VS 2012 and VS V.Next.”
Some developers will be disappointed that Visual Studio 2012 Update 1 does not offer any major changes to the graphical user interface. However, changes are being considered for Update 2, according to Harry, who addressed concerns about the GUI in response to a complaint on his blog earlier this month.
Although Update1 couldn’t make everyone happy, it does bring a lot of power to developers who intend to develop for Windows XP, in addition to the other enhancements of the key features of the flagship Microsoft IDE. You can download the update here.
