I would like to create a visual DSL (boxes and arrows). I have found that I can create such a DSL using Microsoft's Visualization and modeling SDK (DSL Tools sequel, for VS2010) and there is also a lab on the subject. However, that would require Visual Studio 2010 to host my designer once I have created my DSL.
Is there any way to not require Visual Studio? With Windows Workflow Foundation (WF), it is possible to host a workflow designer in your own application, so it shouldn't be impossible.
Suggestions of other approaches are also welcome.
You cannot host a DSL design surface in a standard Windows Forms/WPF application.
However, you can create your own application built on top of the Visual Studio Isolated Shell to host your DSL. The Storyboard Designer sample is an example of hosting a DSL in an isolated shell (although built on the VS 2008 Shell).
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I have a game written in MonoGame in VS2012. How can I create setup file witch will also install .net framework if user doesn't have it?
There are no setup projects in VS 2012, unless you get the InstallShield LE add-in. VS 2010 had setup projects; VS 2013 supports the return of installer projects as an add-in. Therefore you may be stuck looking for a 3rd party solution, like InstallShield LE or any other number of other tools that can build setups and have a VS IDE add-in support (such as WiX). List of tools here:
http://www.installsite.org/pages/en/msi/authoring.htm
If you are keen on VS setup projects and want a simple tool that does the basics without you needing to learn too much, moving to VS 2013 and using the installer projects add-in would probably suit you.
https://visualstudiogallery.msdn.microsoft.com/9abe329c-9bba-44a1-be59-0fbf6151054d
I'd like to know how to create a program interface like the one used in Visual Studio, Office 2013, GitHub for Windows, etc.
Looks like Cosmopolitan Theme for WPF is not the same theme used on those softwares.
To show you the difference between these programs interfaces and common others take a look at those printscreens:
Interfaces I wanna know how to build:
Visual Studio:
Office 2013 (Excel):
GitHub for Windows:
Common Interface:
The difference between these programs is its interfaces. I already downloaded the Visual Studio Express for Windows 8, Visual Studio Express for Windows Desktop and I also looked at Visual Studio Ultimate, but them doesn't have the option the build such kind of interfaces when you create a "New Project...".
Do I need to install a new Template on my VS to be able to build such kind of interface? I think it's some sort of theme for WPF. I'd like to see proves that those applications use this UI style you refer in your answer.
Thanks.
Please note that the look and feel of the application is based on the operating system theme by default.
Your Interfaces have been designed following the Metro UI style. Metro UI apps are Windows 8 only, as they require WinRT.
You can only simulate the Metro style in Windows 7 (and vista) with WPF : you have to use a third party controls (or develop your own), such as these examples :
Modern UI for WPF
MahApps.Metro
Cosmopolitan is just a theme for common controls. For example, there are no pivot or panorama control.
Visual Studio 2012 and GitHub for Windows are WPF applications. Office uses custom controls for the "Metro" look.
WPF and Silverlight provide an easy way to theme an entire application. GitHub is based on the Silverlight theme "Cosmopolitan".
Here are some links for more information.
Cosmopolitan Theme for WPF
Making your WPF app look like the Zune client
Silverlight 4 Application Themes
Mishra Reader (An active open source WPF client with a similar theme)
Office 2013 uses Metro Style and Ribbons. For this you can use Fluent Control Suite. This project also has a Metro Style where you can easily make it like Office 2013. Note that you maybe need the recent dll instead of e.g. the nuget package.
If you want some icons like Office 2013, here i found an icon pack that is close to the Office icons: Axialis Pure Flat 2013 (with costs).
For others without Ribbons, you can use for example MahApps Metro as Cybermaxs suggested and for the docks you can use AvalonDock from the WPF Toolkit. AvalonDock also has a Metro Style. And a Visual Studio 2010 Style. And you can dock your Windows like in Visual Studio, very useful ;)
If I buy TFS will it covers the visual studio 2012 functionalities such as creating projects, build , compile. Or TFS it is mainly a support service to VS to give VS more collaboration and management control? Best Regards
TFS (Team Foundation Server) is a tool for the Application Lyfecycle Management (ALM) process.
It delivers the features such as:
Version Control
Requirements Management
Build Automation
Test Case Management
It enables full integration with Visual Studio IDE and gives the collaboration and management features in use for a team's ALM process.
So basically, Visual Studio is the development platform while TFS is the enhancer and collaborator for multiple instaces of Developers, Testers, Analyzers and vice versa.
TFS don't have the abilities like: development, creating projects.
Everything I see pertaining to Blend for Visual Studio 2012 talks about making Window's store apps. Am I correct in assuming it can be used for regular desktop applications too?
At the moment Blend for Visual Studio does not have support for building WPF or Silverlight applications enabled. But, it will with the next update. From that point on you will be able to design regular desktop apps using Blend again. Until than you could use Expression Blend 4 which is available to you if you have an MSDN subscription.
You can read more about the upcoming update for Visual studio here and download a preview.
There's an earlier preview of Blend available that supports WPF too. You can read more about this on the BlendInsiders blog. The only drawback with this preview is that it doesn't have a go-live license yet. It runs side by side with Blend for Visual Studio.
Although it should be possible to build an application entirely in Blend, I would recommend writing your code in Visual Studio and only work with you XAML in Blend.
Update:
With the release of Visual Studio 2012 update 2, support for WPF is added to Blend. More about that can be found over here.
Yes and no.
The "Windows Store" application templates can only be used for the "Windows Store model"-type applications, also known as Tifkam, Metro, or Immersive.
Blend does feature a designer for regular WPF and Silverlight applications and controls. However it isn't a tool for the end-to-end creation of applications, it is strictly a user-interface design tool. Note that Visual Studio shares the exact same WPF designer codebase. Use Blend if you're a non-programmer designer, or if you need a superior Tifkam HTML or "Jupiter" XAML (not-WPF) designer tool.
So Microsoft released Visual Studio 2012 Express for desktop apps. That's great, but how does one create an installer for open source apps that are built in Visual Studio Express? There are no installer templates available by default, and they have disabled browsing the online gallery. Sure, I could purchase something like InstallShield, but that kind of defeats the purpose of an open source application if you ask me. Any suggestions?
You can use the open source NSIS or WiX tools to create fairly nice installers.
Since both should work without the Visual Studio integration that Express won't give you, they should both be usable (even if not quite as nicely) without problems.
I would use Inno Setup, which is a little easier to learn than most other setup programs.
I have a link here:
http://www.jrsoftware.org/ishelp/