Visual Studio .NET 2003 is Microsoft's second-generation tool for building and deploying powerful, secure, Microsoft .NET-connected software. Built to address today's most challenging software development needs, Visual Studio .NET 2003 enhances, further refines, and is highly compatible with its predecessor. Visual Studio .NET 2003 includes a complete range of capabilities from modelers that aid in visually composing the most complex of enterprise-class applications to deploying an application on the smallest of devices. In use by companies of every size across the world, Visual Studio .NET and the Microsoft .NET Framework provide a powerful, sophisticated, end-to-end tool for designing, developing, debugging, and deploying secure applications for Microsoft Windows and the Web - applications that are robust and easy to use.

Visual Studio .NET 2003 contains an enhanced version of the .NET Framework. The .NET Framework version 1.1 builds upon the previous version with new capabilities, enhancements, and improvements to documentation. With integrated support for the .NET Compact Framework, Visual Studio .NET 2003 brings mobile and embedded devices such as the Pocket PC, as well as other devices powered by the Microsoft Windows CE .NET operating system, to .NET. Now, developers can use the same programming model, development tools, and skills to build applications that span from small devices to the largest data center.

Visual Studio .NET 2003 Professional enables you to rapidly build a broad range of applications for Microsoft Windows, the Web, and mobile devices. Developers can use Visual Studio .NET 2003 Professional to quickly build professional software, reduce IT operating costs and integrate with a wide range of applications, systems, and devices. With an extensive set of visual designers, a range of programming languages, and integrated Visual Database Tools, Visual Studio .NET 2003 enables you to build powerful software quickly. Easy, Web-style deployment of rich Windows-based applications, built-in security, and an infrastructure for reusing existing code make this version of the Microsoft .NET Framework a dependable platform for software development. Support for the latest XML Web service standards and visual designers for mobile application development enable you to easily extend your applications to other systems and devices.

Addressing the emerging opportunities represented by XML Web services and mobile application development were key design goals of Visual Studio .NET 2003. Using the skills you already have, Visual Studio .NET 2003 enables you to create and consume Web services and provides intuitive designers for rapidly building broad-reach Mobile Web applications as well as smart device software.

Benefits & Features

Quickly build professional software for Windows and the Web
Visual Studio .NET provides intuitive visual designers for building professional Windows and Web-based software, enabling developers to reuse existing skills across multiple application types.

Build high-performance database applications
ADO.NET class libraries provide the infrastructure for high performance data access to multiple data sources, including SQL Server, Oracle, and more. The Server Explorer and Visual Database Tools simplify data access by reducing the coding effort involved in building data components.

Simplify application deployment and maintenance
No Touch Deployment enables Windows applications to be deployed as easily as Web pages, while the side-by-side component versioning policy eliminates DLL overwrites and alleviates component versioning issues.

Connect to a wide variety of systems, applications, and devices
Industry-leading support for Web service creation and consumption enables you to quickly build and employ standards-based business logic components.

Leverage existing investments in code and skills
Visual Studio .NET 2003 Professional provides developers with a smooth upgrade path. The Visual Basic Upgrade Wizard, COM Interoperability, and a "load-and-go" upgrade for Visual C++ and Visual J++ developers delivers multiple options for reusing existing code and assets.

Build device-based applications in record time
Built-in support for smart devices enables design, development, debugging, and automatic deployment of applications to Windows CE .NET and Pocket PC powered devices. Mobile Web application projects enable you to build broad-reach Web applications that automatically render on more than 200 wireless mobile devices.