The GrandView development team switched to using Visual Studio 2010 last spring as part of our effort to provide the best product we can using the latest tools. Now that we have been actively developing in VS 2010 for a few months, we thought it was time that we shared our experiences.
Javascript Intellisense
Javascript intellisense has always been difficult due to its dynamic nature. Visual Studio 2010 is powerful enough to pseudo execute javascript code to be able to provide useful intellisense. This is made even more useful through support for jQuery intellisense as well. These improvements has allowed us provide additional client-side functionality in GrandView while shortening development time.
Multi-Monitor Support
One of my favorite new features in Visual Studio 2010 has been the addition of multi-monitor support. Editor, designer and tool windows are no longer restricted to the main window. This allows the developer to take full advantage of monitor real-estate to minimize context switching and increase productivity.
Improved Debugging and Breakpoints
Visual Studio 2010 has included many improvements to its debugging. Grouping and filtering of breakpoints can now be accomplished through breakpoint labels. This allows management of breakpoints in logical groupings without having to manage each breakpoint individually.
Pinned data tips allow the developer to track a variable's values throughout execution and afterwards. This is especially useful when a developer needs to reference that value while writing code. This saves the developer from having to rerun the debugger if they forget the exact spelling or capitalization of the value while coding.
Peter Forney
GrandView Developer