Microsoft’s latest update, Visual Studio 2022 17.9 Preview 2, is a testament to the continuous evolution of the IDE. This version, touted as the culmination of the year’s development efforts, introduces a suite of enhancements spanning from C++ productivity boosts to .NET MAUI innovations and beyond.
C++ Development Leveled Up
Developers working with C++ will appreciate the refined #include Diagnostics feature. It’s now easier to track the inclusion frequency and the compilation impact of each directive.
// Improved visualization of #include directives
#include
Simply click on the directive’s reference count to see its influence on your build times—an invaluable tool for optimizing your code.
Introducing Live Property Explorer for .NET MAUI
.NET MAUI developers can rejoice with the introduction of the Live Property Explorer (LPE), a dynamic tool to inspect and adjust XAML properties in real-time. It works seamlessly with the XAML Live Preview and Live Visual Tree, elevating the debugging and UI design process to new heights.
Activate the LPE during debugging by navigating to Debug > Windows > Live Property Explorer to fine-tune your UI without pausing the flow.
Embracing Remote Linux Unit Testing
Embrace cross-platform development with the new remote Linux unit testing capability. Test your C++ projects directly from Visual Studio’s Test Explorer, whether targeting WSL or remote Linux systems.
# Run unit tests on Linux environments seamlessly
./test_my_application
This feature answers the call of developers seeking integrated Linux testing within the Visual Studio environment.
SQL/SSDT and Git Enhancements
SQL/SSDT improvements streamline your database projects, and the introduction of three new authentication types harmonizes with Subsystem standards. The Git Repository Window now offers dynamic resizing of branch and tag labels for improved legibility.
Microsoft Teams Toolkit Gets an Upgrade
The Teams Toolkit now allows developers to choose the .NET framework version right from the get-go, ensuring compatibility and ease of use with toolkit templates.
// Select the .NET version when creating a new Teams app
dotnet new teamsApp --framework "net6.0"
Preview and debug capabilities for Outlook and Office.com are now integrated, showcasing Microsoft’s dedication to expanding the toolkit’s versatility.
Your Feedback Matters
Microsoft encourages the community to engage and provide feedback. This collaborative approach is key to the ongoing refinement of Visual Studio, ensuring it remains a tool that evolves with its users’ needs.
To discover more about Visual Studio 17.9 Preview 2 and other updates, visit the official Visual Studio release notes.
Remember, the given code snippets are illustrative and may not be functional. They are included in the blog post to give readers a contextual example of the features discussed.
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