A completely free (also for commercial use) tool for creating web applications (ASP.NET) on the .NET Framework 2.0 platform. It is a part of the free development environment Visual Studio 2005 Express. The application has a visual editor with many built-in controls, a powerful code editor and the ability to create your own, a system of intelligent prompts, debugger, and also offers full integration with Microsoft SQL Server 2005.

The application also has the option to install the MSDN Library package - an integrated, also context-sensitive offline version of the help available on the MSDN websites. To install the program you need an Internet connection - the installer downloads the appropriate components online. Express versions are free editions of the commercial Visual Studio 2005 package, addressed to students, hobbyists and all those who begin their adventure with programming in .NET.

They are characterized by a modular structure (separate part for each language) and customization for novice programmers while maintaining all the most important features of the "full" Visual Studio. The software may be used for commercial purposes. All applications with code can also be seamlessly transferred to the full version of Visual Studio 2005 and further developed there.

Main functions and advantages of the program - visual editor with more than a hundred built-in controls and the option to create your own - powerful code editor (syntax highlighting, editing options) - IntelliSense: syntax prompts, intelligent code completion, code templates, verification of code consistency live, variable analysis and many more.... - fully functional debugger - full integration with SQL Server 2005 ("drag and drop", database management from Visual Studio) - integrated context-sensitive online and offline help Main limitations of Express version - modular structure and division into languages (inability to work with multilingual applications) - no support .NET Compact Framework (you cannot create applications for mobile devices) - no advanced business and analytical tools - no teamwork extensions Note!

1. Visual Studio 2005 Express requires libraries .NET Framework 2.0. 2.

To test web applications, you can optionally use the IIS server built into Windows XP and Windows Server 2003, but Visual Studio 2005 Express has its own IIS emulation component. In order to be able to use database functionalities in created applications, you need to have access to SQL Server 2000 or 2005 (version 2005 is also available in Express version). Full integration with Visual Studio 2005 Express is only achieved when SQL Server 2005 Express is installed on the same computer.

The installer is available online.