Item: Microsoft Visual Studio
Rating: 8
Author: Jacob Steffen

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

I use it to write custom applications. To be specific, mostly MVC web applications. We often need a way to visualize large amounts of data, as well as being able export and share data. There are some cases in which I need VS to create some type of Windows service that will continually run.

Pros and Cons

Syntax highlighting
Keyboard shortcuts
Tool tips

Better ways to update in an offline environment
Better support for Mac
More support for NodeJS

Return on Investment

I am able to free up more of my team's time by writing software that addresses business questions.
I am able to broaden my experience level using VS.
My team is now able to solve problems in new ways using VS.

Alternatives Considered

atom.io, visual studio code and sublime text

These products are great, however they are confusing when you are used to VS specifically relating to compiled code. These products have a significant problems when it comes to writing c# code or any other compiled languages. Also because VS has been around for so long there is a lot of online support for it via forum sites like stackoverflow.

Other Software Used

Microsoft SQL Server, Windows Server, Google Drive

Likelihood to Recommend

I think Visual Studio works best in an environment with internet access and where you are primarily running Windows products. If your company leans more toward using Linux or Mac, it will still work, however you won't be taking full advantage of the product. Visual Studio does not work best in an environment without internet access because updating your projects as well as updating VS becomes trivial.

A no brainer

Software Version

Overall Satisfaction with Visual Studio IDE