If you create software development tools, you’ll want to consider building on the Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 Shell. A streamlined Visual Studio development environment, the Visual Studio Shell provides the core foundation so you can focus on building your application’s unique features. The Visual Studio Shell comes in two modes, an integrated mode and an isolated mode.

The Visual Studio Shell (integrated mode) is optimized for programming languages. Applications built on the integrated Shell will automatically merge with any other editions of Visual Studio installed on the same machine. Here a screen shot of the integrated Shell running Iron Python.

The Visual Studio Shell (isolated mode) is optimized for specialized tools. Applications built with the isolated Shell will run side-by-side with any other editions of Visual Studio installed on the same machine. Here is a screen shot of the isolated Shell running Fabrikam Home Automation Studio.

If you have more time: see the Visual Studio 2008 Shell page on the MSDN Web site.

-- Paul Cornell

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