Visual Studio 2008 is the latest iteration of Microsoft's suite of development produced under the Visual Studio umbrella. Developers will be able to tap a comprehensive resource of tools, but also a plethora of features and functionality covering everything from debugging to databases, designed to enable the building smart client applications tailored on Microsoft's vision of the software it wants to run on top of its products.

"Visual Studio 2008 offers developers new tools that speed creation of connected applications on the latest platforms including the Web, Windows Vista, Office 2007, SQL Server 2008, and Windows Server 2008. For the Web, ASP.NET AJAX and other new technologies will enable developers to quickly create a new generation of more efficient, interactive, and personalized Web experiences," Microsoft revealed.

With Visual Studio 2008, developers will be able to enjoy the evolution of the suite as a whole, evolution that is reflected into every separate component. In this context, Microsoft has published a data sheet designed to act as a Visual Studio 2008 visual product comparison.

In this manner, developers are provided with an easy and effortless way of evaluating the differences between Visual Web Developer 2008 Express Edition, Visual Basic 2008 Express Edition, Visual C# 2008 Express Edition, Visual C++ 2008 Express Edition, Visual Studio 2008 Standard Edition, Visual Studio 2008 Professional Edition, Visual Studio Team System 2008 Architecture Edition, Visual Studio Team System 2008 Database Edition, Visual Studio Team System 2008 Development Edition, Visual Studio Team System 2008 Test Edition and Visual Studio Team System 2008 Team Suite.

The various Visual Studio 2008 components are compared in terms of general features, but also basic tools, data-related tools, platform tools and advanced tools. You will be able to download the Visual Studio 2008 Product Comparison Data Sheet via this link and become familiarized with the various editions.

"On Monday, November 19, Microsoft announced that Visual Studio 2008 and the .NET Framework 3.5 were released to manufacturing (RTM). With more than 250 new features,Visual Studio 2008 includes significant enhancements in every edition, including Visual Studio Express and Visual Studio Team System," Microsoft said.