What’s New in

Visual Studio 2008

About This ClinicThis clinic will provide an overview of Visual Studio 2008 and highlight new features that can increase developer productivity. You'll also be exposed to new C# and VB.NET language features as well as the new Language Integrated Query (LINQ) technology built into the . NET framework 3.5.

Clinic Objectives

After completing this clinic, you will be able to:

Understand benefits that Visual Studio 2008 can bring to developers and enterprises

Describe how multi-targeting support can be used

Explain new language enhancements to C# and VB.NET

Describe the overall purpose of Language Integrated Query (LINQ)

Audience: .NET application developers and technology decision makers

Prerequisites

Experience working with the .NET framework

Familiarity with either C# or VB.NET

Clinic Outline

Session 1: Visual Studio 2008 and Language Features Overview

Session 2: Building Web Applications with Visual Studio 2008

Session 3: Building WPF, WF and WCF Applications with Visual Studio 2008

Session 4: Visual Studio 2008 Office Development Features

Visual Studio 2008 and Language Features

Overview

Overview

Introduction to Visual Studio 2008

.NET Framework Multi-Targeting Support

C# and VB.NET Language Enhancements

Introduction to Language Integrated Query (LINQ)

Section: Introduction to Visual Studio 2008

Benefits of Visual Studio 2008

Visual Studio 2008 Editions

Visual Studio 2008 Team Suite Functionality

Visual Studio 2008 Feature Highlights

Topic: Benefits of Visual Studio 2008

Visual Studio 2008 provides numerous benefits to developers and enterprises:

Employ the latest technologies in the .NET 3.5 framework

Enhance developer productivity

Manage Application Life Cycle

Simplify application deployment

Integrate designers into the development process

Work with data more effectively

Target different .NET framework versions

Leverage new features in the .NET 3.5 framework

Topic: Visual Studio 2008 Editions

Several editions of Visual Studio 2008 are available:

Express

Visual Basic 2008 Express Edition

Visual C# 2008 Express Edition

Visual C++ 2008 Express Edition

Visual Web Developer 2008 Express Edition

Standard Visual Studio 2008 Standard Edition

Professional Visual Studio 2008 Professional Edition

Team Suite Visual Studio 2008 Team Suite (Architect, Developer, Test and Database)

Topic: Visual Studio 2008 Team Suite

Visual Studio 2008 Team Suite contains four main components:

ArchitectSystem, service, application, data center designers

Developer Code editors, visual designers, debugging, unit tests, code metrics

Test Create, edit, manage and run tests

DatabaseDatabase project templates, rename refactoring, visual diff/merge, test data generation

Topic: Visual Studio 2008 Feature Highlights

Visual Studio 2008 provides many new features that significantly enhance developer productivity:

HTML split view designer

LINQ to SQL Designer

JavaScript Intellisense

CSS property viewer

WPF designer

Office designer support

.NET framework multi-targeting support

Section: .NET Framework Multi-Targeting Support

.NET Framework Versions

Configuring an Application's Target Framework

Developing and Maintaining .NET 2.0 Applications

Object Browser Framework Version Filtering

Topic: .NET Framework Versions

Several versions of the .NET framework have been released since 2002:

Visual Studio 2008 supports working with several different framework versions

.NET 1.0 (Initial Release)

.NET 1.1

.NET 2.0

.NET 3.0 (WPF, WF, WCF)

.NET 3.5

Topic: Configuring an Application's Target Framework

Visual Studio 2008 can target multiple versions of the .NET framework

Multi-Targeting Support

Topic: Developing and Maintaining .NET 2.0 Applications

.NET framework 2.0 applications can be developed using Visual Studio 2008

Leverage VS 2008 editor features without requiring applications to be updated to .NET 3.5

Multi-targeting support simplifies future application maintenance

Topic: Object Browser Framework Version Filtering

The Visual Studio 2008 Object Browser supports framework version filtering:

Filter by Framework Version

Demonstration: Targeting .NET framework versions with VS 2008

Your instructor will demonstrate how to:

Use the VS 2008 multi-targeting feature

Develop a .NET 2.0 project in VS 2008

Section: C# and VB.NET Language Enhancements

Language Enhancement Overview

Object Initializers

Anonymous Types

Extension Methods

How to define Extension Methods in C#

How to define Extension Methods in VB.NET

Lambda Expressions

Topic: Language Enhancement Overview

C# and VB.NET have been enhanced to reduce the amount of code that has to be written:

Object InitializersAssign values to object fields or properties without explicit constructors when the object is created

Anonymous types Compiler infers types without requiring explicit type definitions

Extension Methods Add methods to existing types without creating a derived type

Lambda Expressions

Expression used in place of a delegate to simplify coding and allow for more expressive code

Topic: Object Initializers

Object initializers allow accessible field or property values to be initialized with values without explicit constructor calls

Person p = new Person {FirstName = "John", LastName="Doe",State="AZ"};

[Visual C#]

Dim p As New Person With {.FirstName = "John", .LastName = "Doe", _.State="AZ"}

[Visual Basic]

Topic: Anonymous Types

Anonymous types allow read-only properties to be defined for an object without an explicit type definition

var p = select new {FirstName = "John", LastName="Doe"};

[Visual C#]

Dim p = New With {.FirstName = "John", .LastName = "Doe"}

[Visual Basic]

Demonstration: Using the ListView and LinqDataSource Controls

Your instructor will demonstrate how to:

Define ListView Templates

Bind a LinqDataSource Control to a Listview Control

Topic: Extension Methods

Extension methods allow existing types to be extended without creating a derived type

Extension method guidelines:

Cannot be used to override existing methods

Extension method with the same name and signature as an instance method will not be called

The concept of extension methods cannot be applied to fields, properties or events

Use extension methods sparingly

Topic: How to Define Extension Methods in C#Extension methods are defined as static methods but act like instance methods at runtime

namespace StringExtensions { public static class StringExtensionsClass { public static string RemoveNonAlphaNumeric(this string s) { MatchCollection col = Regex.Matches(s,"[A-Za-z0-9]"); StringBuilder sb = new StringBuilder(); foreach (Match m in col) sb.Append(m.Value); return sb.ToString(); } }}

Defining an Extension Method

using StringExtensions;….string phone = "123-123-1234";string newPhone = phone.RemoveNonAlphaNumeric();

Using an Extension Method

Topic: How to Define Extension Methods in VB.NET

Extension methods are defined using ExtensionAttribute

Namespace StringExtensions Module StringExtensionsModule <Extension()> _ Public Function RemoveNonAlphaNumeric(ByVal s As String) _ As String Dim col As MatchCollection = Regex.Matches(s, "[A-Za-z0-9]") Dim sb As New StringBuilder() For Each m As Match In col sb.Append(m.Value) Next Return sb.ToString() End Function End ModuleEnd Namespace

Defining an Extension Method

Imports StringExtensions….Dim phone As String = "123-564-1234"Dim newPhone as String = phone.RemoveNonAlphaNumeric()

Using an Extension Method

Topic: Lambda Expressions

A lambda expression is a function without a name that evaluates a single expression and returns its value

List<string> names = new List<string> { "John", "Jim", "Michelle" };

IEnumerable<string> filter = names.Where(p => p.StartsWith("J"));

[Visual C#]

Dim names As New List(Of String)names.Add("John")names.Add("Jim")names.Add("Michelle")Dim filter As IEnumerable(Of String) = _ names.Where(Function(p) p.StartsWith("J"))

[Visual Basic]

Demonstration: Using Language Enhancements

Your instructor will demonstrate how to:

Use object initializers, extension methods and lambda expressions

Section: Introduction to LINQ

What is LINQ?

LINQ Operators

LINQ Syntax Fundamentals

LINQ to SQL Designer

Topic: What is LINQ?LINQ = Language Integrated Query

Native C# and VB.NET language feature

Comprehensive query technology:

Reduces complexities associated with accessing data that isn't defined using OO technology

Provides static typing and compile-time syntax checking

Query Objects

Query Databases

Query XML

Query custom data stores

Topic: LINQ Operators

LINQ supports several different operations:

LINQ operators are expressed declaratively using C# or VB.NET

Visual Studio 2008 provides Intellisense support for operators

Filter

Sort

Select

Group

Join

Topic: LINQ Syntax Fundamentals

LINQ queries specify the data source to query, the filter clause and the data to select

string[ ] states = { "Arizona", "Alaska", "Utah", "Nevada" };var selectedStates = from s in states where s.StartsWith("A") select s;

[Visual C#]

Dim states As String() = { "Arizona", "Alaska", "Utah", "Nevada" }Dim selectedStates = From name In states _ Where name.StartsWith("A") _ Select name

[Visual Basic]

Topic: LINQ to SQL Designer

Visual Studio 2008 provides a LINQ to SQL designer that handles mapping relational data to CLR objects

Demonstration: Using LINQ to SQL

Your instructor will demonstrate how to:

Create a Data Context Object with the LINQ to SQL Designer

Query a Data Context Object using LINQ and Lambda Expressions

Building Web Applications with Visual Studio 2008

Overview

Design, Editing and CSS Features

New ASP.NET Controls

ASP.NET AJAX Integration

JavaScript Intellisense and Debugging

Section: Design, Editing and CSS Features

Web Development Feature Overview

Split View Support

CSS Property Windows

CSS Style Editor

CSS Intellisense

Nested Master Page Designer Support

Topic: Web Development Feature Overview

Visual Studio 2008 provides several new Web development features:

Split view mode

CSS property windows and Intellisense

Nested master page designer support

Designer support for AJAX extenders

New AJAX and Silverlight templates

Multi-targeting support

Integrated Web Application Project support

Fast switching between code view and design view

JavaScript Intellisense

Topic: Split View Support

The code editor and designer windows can be viewed together in split view mode:

Page Designer

Code Editor

Split View

Topic: CSS Property Windows

New CSS Property windows allow CSS rules and properties to be created, viewed, modified and applied

Topic: CSS Style Editor

The CSS Style Editor allows styles, classes, ID selectors and more to be created and edited visually

Inline or External Styles

Define CSS Properties

Preview Styles

Topic: Enhanced CSS Intellisense

The Visual Studio 2008 code editor provides Intellisense for CSS classes and styles

Intellisense forCSS Classes

Intellisense forInline Styles

Topic: Nested Master Page Designer Support

Nested master pages allow a child master page to be "nested" within a parent master page:

Nested master pages can be designed and edited directly in Visual Studio 2008

Master Page Child Master Page

ASP.NET Content Page

Demonstration: Using Visual Studio 2008 Web Features

Your instructor will demonstrate how to

Use the Split View Designer

Work with CSS

Section: New ASP.NET Controls

The ASP.NET ListView Control

ListView Templates

Using ListView Templates

The LinqDataSource Control

Using the LinqDataSource Control Wizard

Paging Data with the DataPager Control

Topic: The ASP.NET ListView Control

The ListView control provides a flexible way to display, modify, sort and page data in ASP.NET pages

Benefits of the ListView control:

Display, edit, insert, delete, sort, group and page data

100% control over generated HTML

Template based approach

Separate layout and item templates

Support for multiple data sources

Paging support through the DataPager control

Support for multiple key fields

Topic: ListView TemplatesThe ListView control provides several templates that can be used to control how HTML is rendered:

AlternatingItemTemplate

EditItemTemplate

EmptyDataTemplate

GroupSeparatorTemplate

GroupTemplate

InsertItemTemplate

ItemSeparatorTemplate

ItemTemplate

LayoutTemplate

SelectedItemTemplate

Topic: Using ListView TemplatesThe LayoutTemplate defines the container for data items rendered by the ItemTemplate:

<asp:ListView runat="Server" ID="lvCusts" DataSourceID="linqDataSource"ItemContainerID="itemContainer"> <LayoutTemplate> <div class="tblDetails"> <div class="floatLeftHeader">Customer ID:</div> <div class="floatRightHeader">Contact Name:</div> <div runat="server" id="itemContainer"></div> </div> </LayoutTemplate> <ItemTemplate> <div> <div class="floatLeftRow"><%#Eval("CustomerID") %></div> <div class="floatRightRow"><%#Eval("CompanyName") %></div> </div> </ItemTemplate></asp:ListView>

Topic: The LinqDataSource Control

The LinqDataSource control can bind data to ASP.NET data aware controls such as the ListView and GridView:

Query collection objects or LINQ to SQL data context objects using Language Integrated Query (LINQ)

Filter, sort, page, group, select, insert, update and delete data using LINQ

Data parameters can be defined declaratively

Provides a rich set of events to handle data operations

Visual Studio 2008 provides a LinqDataSource control wizard

Topic: Using the LinqDataSource Control Wizard

The LinqDataSource control wizard simplifies data access operations that query objects

Select Data Context Object

Filter, Sort and Modify Data

Topic: Paging Data with the DataPager ControlThe DataPager control provides numeric, next/previous and custom paging support

Paging Controls

<asp:DataPager ID="dp" runat="server" PageSize="10"> <Fields> <asp:NumericPagerField /> </Fields></asp:DataPager>

Demonstration: Using the ListView and LinqDataSource Controls

Your instructor will demonstrate how to:

Define ListView Templates

Bind a LinqDataSource Control to a Listview Control

Section: ASP.NET AJAX Integration

Integrated ASP.NET AJAX Support

ASP.NET AJAX Templates

ASP.NET AJAX Extender Control Support

Design View Support for Extender Controls

Changing Extender Control Properties

Topic: Integrated ASP.NET AJAX Support

.NET 3.5 contains integrated support for ASP.NET AJAX

System.Web.Extensions.dll installed along with the other .NET 3.5 framework assemblies

ASP.NET AJAX Extensions controls added into Toolbox

Web.config contains ASP.NET AJAX configuration entries

Topic: ASP.NET AJAX TemplatesVisual Studio 2008 provides ASP.NET AJAX templates for creating server controls and extender controls

ASP.NET AJAX Templates

Topic: ASP.NET AJAX Extender Control Support

ASP.NET AJAX extender controls can be used in ASP.NET Web applications to extend server controls

Download the ASP.NET AJAX Toolkit from http://www.codeplex.com1

Add AjaxControlToolkit.dll into your Web application's bin folder2

Using the ASP.NET AJAX Toolkit Extender Controls

Right-click the Toolbox and select Choose Items3

Select the AjaxControlToolkit.dll file from the bin folder4

Add the following Register directive to the top of the ASP.NET page:

<%@ Register TagPrefix="toolkit" Namespace="AjaxControlToolkit" Assembly="AjaxControlToolkit" %>

5

Drag and drop ASP.NET AJAX Toolkit controls onto the designer 6

Topic: Design View Support for Extender Controls

Visual Studio 2008 provides design view support for ASP.NET AJAX Toolkit controls and custom extenders

Step 1: Click "Add an Extender" Step 2: Select an Extender

Topic: Accessing AJAX Extender Properties

AJAX extender control properties can be accessed through the target control's Properties window

Target Control

Extender ControlProperties

Section: JavaScript Intellisense and Debugging

JavaScript Intellisense and Syntax Validation

JavaScript Intellisense in Action

Intellisense with External JavaScript Files

Enhance JavaScript Intellisense with Comments

JavaScript Debugging Enhancements

JavaScript Debugging Windows

Topic: JavaScript Intellisense and Syntax Validation

Visual Studio 2008 provides built-in support for JavaScript Intellisense:

Visual Studio 2008 provides JavaScript syntax validation to help locate code issues

Intellisense available for inline and external JavaScript files

JavaScript comments can be used to add Intellisense hints

Type inference used to filter Intellisense options

Topic: JavaScript Intellisense in Action

Examples of JavaScript Intellisense in Visual Studio 2008

Topic: Intellisense with External JavaScript Files

Intellisense is available for external JavaScript files such as the ASP.NET AJAX script library

Topic: Enhance JavaScript Intellisense with Comments

Documentation comments can be added into JavaScript to provide Intellisense "hints"

function GetRate(base,rate) { /// <summary>Calculates desired business rate.</summary> /// <param name="base">Base amount</param> /// <param name="rate">Interest rate</param> /// <returns>number</returns> return base * rate;}

Topic: JavaScript Debugging Enhancements

Several JavaScript debugging enhancements have been added to Visual Studio 2008:

Support for breakpoints for inline script defined within an ASP.NET page

Debugging session shows a notification message to enable script debugging in IE if necessary

Support for JavaScript debugger visualizers

Script document navigation within the Solution Explorer

Rich debug windows containing detailed debugging information

Topic: JavaScript Debugging Windows

Rich debugging information can be obtained through Visual Studio 2008 debug windows

Demonstration: Working with JavaScript in Visual Studio 2008

Your instructor will demonstrate how to

Work with JavaScript Intellisense

Debug JavaScript

Building WPF, WF and WCF Applications with Visual

Studio 2008

Overview

WPF Application Development

Creating UAC Aware Applications for Windows Vista

Building WF Applications

Building WCF Applications

Section: WPF Application Development

Benefits of WPF Applications

Split View Designer Functionality

XAML Intellisense

WPF Properties Window

Hosting Windows Forms Controls in WPF Applications

WPF Deployment with ClickOnce

Using Expression Blend and VS 2008

Topic: Benefits of WPF ApplicationsWindows Presentation Foundation (WPF) applications provide several productivity and application life cycle benefits:

Integrate graphic designers into the development process

Support for control animations and transformations

Robust data binding support

Declarative XAML syntax for defining WPF controls

Interop with Windows Forms controls

Visual Studio 2008 integrated WPF designer

Desktop and browser deployment capabilities

Expression Blend provides enhanced XAML layout and animation functionality

Topic: Split View Designer

Visual Studio 2008 provides a WPF split view designer and code editor

WPF Designer

XAML Code Editor

Zoom Slider

Topic: XAML Intellisense

The XAML code editor provides full Intellisense support

Identify relevant namespaces

View valid XAML elements and attributes

Topic: WPF Properties Window

The WPF control property window provides a simplified way to locate and filter property values

Filter Properties

Direct Access to Control Name

Topic: Hosting Windows Forms Controls in WPF Applications

Windows Forms controls can be hosted within WPF applications

Existing investment in Windows Forms can be preserved while moving to WPF

Create a WPF project in Visual Studio 20081

Reference the System.Windows.Forms.dll assembly2

Host Windows Forms Controls in WPF

Reference the WindowsFormsIntegration.dll assembly3

Drag a WindowsFormHost control onto the WPF design surface4

Add XAML code within the WindowsFormsHost element to reference the Windows Forms control

5

Topic: WPF Deployment with ClickOnce

WPF applications can be deployed using ClickOnce technology:

ClickOnce is "version independent" allowing for easier application deployment now and in the future

ClickOnce is no longer reliant on CASPOL resulting in a simpler deployment model

Firefox now supported with ClickOnce and XBAP applications

Install from CD, removable drive storage, Web or network location

Offline access is available through the ClickOnce Cache

Security evaluated on application installations and on updates

Topic: Using Expression Blend and Visual Studio 2008

Expression Blend can be used by graphic designers to create WPF applications:

Visual Studio 2008 can be used by developers to complete XAML created in Expression Blend:

Define application's overall look and feel

Define control templates, styles and data templates

Create control animations and transformations

Perform advanced layout operations

XAML created by graphic designers can be modifiedby developers to add data binding, event handlers, etc.

VB.NET and C# coding

WPF application debugging and deployment

Demonstration: Creating a WPF Application

Your instructor will demonstrate how to

Use the WPF Designer

Work with WPF Controls

Section: Creating UAC Aware Applications for Windows Vista

Understanding User Access Control

Application Manifest Files

Adding Application Manifest Files in C# Projects

Adding a UAC Icon to Application Controls

Topic: Understanding User Account Control

User Account Control is a Windows Vista technology designed to improve application security

Limits applications to standard user privileges even when logged in as administrator

Prevents Malware and other malicious applications from having necessary privileges to run properly

Restricted operations (installation, write to the machine registry, event log, etc.) cause a UAC prompt to appear

Topic: Using UAC Application Manifest Files

Applications requiring elevated privileges can be compiled with an application manifest file

Application manifest file allows the application's security requirements to be defined upfront

Application manifest files requiring elevated security requirements cause a UAC shield icon to be added to the application's executable

<security> <requestedPrivileges xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:asm.v3"> <requestedExecutionLevel level="requireAdministrator" uiAccess="false" /> </requestedPrivileges></security>

app.manifest

Topic: Adding Application Manifest Files in C# Projects

Add a New Item into the project1

Select Application Manifest File from the templates2

Add an application manifest using Visual Studio 2008 (C# Projects)

Define the application's security requirements in the manifest file3

Access the project Properties window4

Assign the application manifest file to the Manifest setting5

Topic: Adding a UAC Icon to Application Controls

A UAC shield can be added to controls that trigger the UAC prompt in Windows Vista

UAC shield icon can be added using user32.dll features

[DllImport("user32.dll")]private static extern IntPtr SendMessage(HandleRef hWnd, uint Msg, IntPtr wParam, IntPtr lParam);uint BCM_SETSHIELD = 0x1600 + 0x000c;

…

SendMessage(new HandleRef(ButtonToEnable, ButtonToEnable.Handle), BCM_SETSHIELD, new IntPtr(0), new IntPtr(1));

[Visual C#]

Section: Building WF Applications

Introduction to Windows Workflow Foundation

New WF Features in .NET 3.5

WF Templates in Visual Studio 2008

WF Visual Studio 2008 Designer

Topic: Introduction to Windows Workflow Foundation

Windows Workflow Foundation (WF):

Framework for creating workflow-based applications

Rich collection of workflow activities

Includes workflow and rules engines

Integration with WCF services

Visual designer available in Visual Studio 2008

Topic: New WF Features in .NET 3.5

New Windows Workflow Foundation Features:

WorkflowServiceHost class for hosting workflow based services

Import and edit service contracts

WCF send and receive activities added to Toolbox

Topic: WF Templates in Visual Studio 2008

Visual Studio 2008 provides several workflow templates

Topic: WF Visual Studio 2008 Designer

Workflows can be designed visually using the Visual Studio 2008 Workflow Designer

New WCF Send/Receive Activities

Section: Building WCF Applications

Introduction to Windows Communication Foundation

New WCF Features in .NET 3.5

WCF Templates in Visual Studio 2008

Defining WCF Service Contracts

Consuming WCF Services in Visual Studio 2008

Topic: Introduction to Windows Communication Foundation

Windows Communication Foundation (WCF):

Framework for creating distributed applications that communicate using services

Service-oriented programming API

Support latest WS-* standards

Expose services over HTTP, TCP, Named Pipes, plus more

Create data and service contracts

Consume services and integrate data into .NET applications

Expose workflows as services

Topic: New WCF Features in .NET 3.5

Key New Windows Communication Foundation Features include:

Support for RSS and ATOM Syndication

XML or JSON serialization for AJAX integration

Support for additional partial trust mode scenarios

Windows Workflow Foundation Send/Receive activities

Topic: WCF Templates in Visual Studio 2008Visual Studio 2008 provides several templates for creating WCF services:

WCF Service Application

Syndication Service Library

Sequential Workflow Service Library

State Machine Workflow Service Library

WCF Service Library

Topic: Defining WCF Service Contracts

Service contracts are defined using WCF attributes and configured in web.config or app.config

[ServiceContract]public interface IEchoService{ [OperationContract] string EchoString(string value);}

[Visual C#]

<ServiceContract()> _Public Interface IEchoService <OperationContract()> _ Function EchoString(ByVal value as string) As StringEnd Interface

[Visual Basic]

Topic: Consuming WCF Services in Visual Studio 2008

Visual Studio 2008 provides integrated support for consuming services:

Add Web Reference – Consume a standard Web Service

Add Service Reference – Consume a WCF Service

Demonstration: Creating and Consuming a WCF Service

Your instructor will demonstrate how to

Create a Data Contract and Service interface

Consume a WCF Service

Visual Studio 2008 Office Development Features

Overview

Using the Office Ribbon Designer

Creating Office Task Panes

Creating Outlook Form Regions

SharePoint Workflow Designer

Deployment and Interop Features

Section: Using the Office Ribbon Designer

Benefits of the Office Ribbon Design Pattern

Understanding Ribbon Tabs and Groups

Using the Visual Studio 2008 Ribbon Designer

Ribbon Events

Using Ribbon XML

Topic: Benefits of the Office Ribbon Designer Pattern

Office 2007's ribbon design pattern provides many user interface benefits to end users:

Streamlines the process of working with Microsoft Office programs through a results oriented UI

Provides a more organized way to access application commands by using tabs rather than menus

Eliminates related features being spread across multiple menus

Topic: Understanding Ribbon Tabs and Groups

Microsoft Office ribbon commands are organized into tabs and groups

Visual Studio 2008 can be used to create custom tabs and groups

Tab

Group

Topic: Using the Visual Studio 2008 Ribbon DesignerVisual Studio 2008 supports creating and customizing Microsoft Office ribbons

Tabs, groups and controls can be customized using the ribbon designer

Topic: Ribbon Events

Ribbons expose events that can be used to perform various tasks in an Office application:

Ribbon controls expose events that can be handled to modify application functionality

Close – Called when the Office application closes the ribbon

Load – Called when the Office application loads the ribbon

LoadImage – Called when the Office ribbon loads if the ImageName property is set for one or more controls

Topic: Using Ribbon XMLMicrosoft Office ribbons can be customized using Ribbon XML in Visual Studio 2008

Ribbon XML allows tabs, groups and controls to be declaratively defined along with event handlers

<tab idMso="TabAddIns"> <group id="ContentGroup" label="Text Insertion"> <button id="textButton" label="Insert Text" screentip="Text" onAction="OnTextButton" supertip="Inserts text at the cursor location."/> <button id="tableButton" label="Insert Table" screentip="Table" onAction="OnTableButton" supertip="Inserts a table at the cursor location."/> </group></tab>

Ribbon XML

Demonstration: Creating a Custom Office Ribbon

Your instructor will demonstrate how to

Create a ribbon add-in project and adding groups and controls

Handle ribbon control events

Section: Creating Office Task Panes

Introduction to Office Task Panes

Creating Office Task Panes in Visual Studio 2008

Steps to Create a Custom Office Task Pane

Running and Debugging Task Panes

Topic: Introduction to Office Task Panes

Office Task Pane features and benefits:

Provide custom functionality in Office applications

Used consistently across entire Office product family

• Project, Excel, InfoPath, Outlook, PowerPoint, Word

• Can be created using Visual Studio 2008

Task Pane

Topic: Creating Office Task Panes in Visual Studio 2008

Custom Office Task Panes can be created using Office Add-in projects in Visual Studio 2008

Use the Visual Studio 2008 Windows Forms Designer

Task Panes are created using:

Windows Forms User Controls

Windows Forms Controls

Windows Forms Components

Topic: Steps to Create a Custom Office Task Pane

Open Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 1

Create a new project based upon your chosen language2

Create a Custom Office Task Pane

Select the Office 2007 project type3

Select an Add-in project template (Word Add-in, Excel Add-in, etc.)4

Add a User Control to the project5

Drag Windows Forms Controls onto the User Control6

Add code into the Office add-in class that creates an instance of the User Control and adds it to the CustomTaskPanes class's collection

7

Topic: Running and Debugging Task Panes

• Press the F5 key

OR

• Press the Visual Studio 2008 debug button

Run a Custom Task Pane in Visual Studio 2008

• Set one or more breakpoints in the Task Pane User Control code

• Press F5 to run the application

• Step through the User Control code

Debug a Custom Task Pane in Visual Studio 2008

Demonstration: Running and Debugging Task Panes

Your instructor will demonstrate how to

Create an Excel Add-in Project

Add an Excel Task Pane

Section: Creating Outlook Form Regions

Introduction to Outlook Form Regions

Outlook Form Region Types

Creating an Outlook Form Region

Using the Visual Studio 2008 Form Region Wizard

Running and debugging Outlook Form Regions

Topic: Introduction to Outlook Form RegionsOutlook Form Regions features and benefits:

Allow custom functionality to be added to standard Outlook 2007 forms

Leverage Windows Forms controls

Replace or enhance any standard form

Can be viewed in the main Outlook 2007 window and Reading Pane

Form Region

Topic: Outlook Form Region TypesFour different types of Outlook Form Regions exist:

Region Description

Adjoining Appends the form region to the bottom of an Outlook form's default page

ReplacementAdds the form region as a new page that replaces the default page of an Outlook form

Replace-All Replaces the whole Outlook form with the form region

Separate Adds the form region as a new page in an Outlook form

Topic: Creating an Outlook Form Region

Open Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 1

Create a new project based upon your chosen language2

Create an Outlook Form Region

Select the Office 2007 project type3

Select an Outlook Add-in project template4

Add a new Outlook Form Region item into the project5

Walk through the Form Region Wizard and select region type, display mode and standard message classes

6

Add controls to the Form Region designer7

Topic: Using the Visual Studio 2008 Form Region Wizard

Visual Studio 2008 provides an Outlook Form Region Wizard

Topic: Running and Debugging Outlook Form Regions

• Press the F5 key

OR

• Press the Visual Studio 2008 debug button

Run an Outlook Form Region in Visual Studio 2008

• Set one or more breakpoints in the Form Region code

• Press F5 to run the application

• Step through the code once the breakpoint is hit

Debug a Custom Form Region in Visual Studio 2008

Section: SharePoint Workflow Designer

Introduction to SharePoint Workflows

Accessing SharePoint Workflows in Office

Introduction to the SharePoint Workflow Designer

Topic: Introduction to SharePoint Workflows

Workflow features and benefits:

SharePoint Workflow and Office Integration:

Workflows provide a way to manage business processes in a repeatable and predictable manner

Enhance the flow of information within an enterprise

SharePoint Workflow Services can be integrated into Office applications

Office integration allows users to start workflows from the tools they work in the most

Visual Studio 2008 provides a SharePoint Workflow Designer

Visual Studio 2008 provides simplified deployment of SharePoint Workflows

Topic: Accessing SharePoint Workflows in Office

SharePoint Workflows can be accessed directly from Office applications

Topic: Introduction to the SharePoint Workflow Designer

Visual Studio 2008 provides a SharePoint Workflow Designer:

SharePoint Workflow Designer minimizes the time required to create SharePoint Workflows

Sequential and State Machine workflow templates available

Simplified debugging and deployment model

Section: Deployment and Interop Features

Deploying Office Application Add-ins

VBA and Managed Code Interoperability

Calling Managed Code from VBA

Topic: Deploying Office Application Add-ins

Office application add-ins can be deployed using the ClickOnce deployment technology:

Pre-requisites can be installed if user does not have them on their system

Rollbacks and updates are supported

Offline mode is supported when access to the installation location is not available

Topic: VBA and Manage Code Interoperability

VBA code and managed code is interoperable:

Preserves existing investment in VBA applications

Intellisense for manage assemblies and related types available within VBA code editor

.NET framework features can be used within VBA applications

VBA applications can be incrementally extended using C# or VB.NET

Topic: Calling Managed Code from VBA

Managed code can be called directly from VBA code

Intellisense for managed types is available in VBA code editor