Visual Studio 2008 Standard Edition provides a full-featured
development environment for Windows and Web developers. It offers productivity
enhancements for building data-driven client and Web applications. Individual
developers looking to create connected applications with next-generation user
experiences will find Visual Studio 2008 Standard Edition a perfect fit.

Today's developers face the challenge of targeting a broad range of platforms
and crafting applications that quickly deliver value to the business. Integrated
designers and language features in Visual Studio allow developers to build the
connected applications demanded by today's businesses while taking advantage of
the .NET Framework 3.5 to reduce development time.

• Design high-performance applications - Create and
  deploy compelling Windows and Web applications using new visual designers
  and more than 50 new controls.


• Unleash the power of your data - Connect to the data
  you need, regardless of its location, and build data driven applications
  using the Language Integrated Query (LINQ).


• Deliver a great design experience - Provide a better
  user experience for graphic designers by employing new design surfaces and
  file formats that are compatible with Microsoft Expression.

FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS:

• Build applications for Windows, the Web, the Microsoft Office system,
  the .NET Framework, SQL Server, and Windows Mobile with integrated
  drag-and-drop designers


• Visual Studio integrates Visual Basic, Visual C#, and Visual C++ to
  support a wide variety of development styles


• Editor features such as Edit and Continue and Microsoft IntelliSense
  simplify the cycle of designing, developing, and debugging an application


• Deploy client applications easily with ClickOnce, which enables
  developers and IT Pros to deploy an application and its prerequisites and
  then ensure that the application remains up-to-date


• Build applications which target the .NET Framework, shortening
  development time by reducing the need for infrastructure code and helping to
  enhance application security


• Use ASP.NET to speed the creation of interactive, highly appealing Web
  applications and Web services. Master Pages allow developers to easily
  manage a consistent site layout in one place


• A community of millions of developers ensures that developers can find
  partners and other community members addressing the same challenges

WHAT'S NEW IN 2008:

• Build applications that utilize the latest Web technologies with
  improved support for AJAX and Web Controls and the Microsoft AJAX Library


• Create Web applications more easily with an improved design surface and
  standards support


• Utilize data from any data source more smoothly with LINQ, a set of
  language extensions to Visual Basic and Visual C#


• Manage and build applications that target multiple versions of the .NET
  Framework. For the first time, you can use one tool to work on applications
  that run on .NET Framework versions 2.0, 3.0, and 3.5


• Ensure application correctness more easily with integrated unit testing
  in Visual Studio 2008 Professional Edition


• Discover the full power of the .NET Framework 3.5 with integrated tools
  which simplify building great user experiences and connected systems


• Build stunning user experiences with integrated designers for Windows
  Presentation Foundation.  Experiences built with WPF can interoperate
  seamlessly with Windows Forms


• Create connected applications using new visual designers for Windows
  Communications Foundation and Windows Workflow Foundation


• Use Visual Studio's professional development environment to build
  Microsoft Office-based solutions that are reliable, scalable, and easy to
  maintain (available in Visual Studio 2008 Professional Edition only)


• Enhance collaboration between developers and designers to create more
  compelling user experiences