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Why will .NET be different this time around?
This is an important release because it includes many enhancements to the development environment for existing .NET developers, while bringing in new entry-level and high-end enterprise audiences to expand the overall developer base. Developers today face increasingly complex demands - the need to build modern, service-oriented solutions, data-driven applications and to seamlessly connect disparate systems, to name a few.

The combined release of Visual Studio 2005, .NET Framework 2.0 and SQL Server 2005 provides a powerful environment to meet the needs of a broad spectrum of developers; from the solo enthusiast to the large enterprise development team. In the years since the previous release of Visual Studio, .NET has gained momentum and is now the preferred developer experience. It’s important to keep in mind that Visual Studio 2003 was essentially a "point release" - many customers chose not to upgrade or to make that first move to .NET. Visual Studio 2005, however, is a major release and we’ll see existing developers, as well as those making the move to .NET for the first time, requiring training. Nearly 2 million developers still need to get skilled up on .NET in order to make the transition prior to the release of Longhorn, which is the next version of Windows due in 2006.

What are the key features to look out for in .NET?
The new versions of Visual Studio, the .NET Framework and SQL Server provide enhancements in developer productivity, built-in mobility, a richer and more consistent user experience and simplified, secure deployments. There are more advanced Web development features such as full debugging tools and richer data access. SQL Server 2005 is a huge upgrade, 5 years in the making, with features like high availability, enhanced security, native XML and data mining. Visual Studio Team Systems, the new enterprise product, provides integrated lifecycle tools that help teams communicate and collaborate more effectively.

VS .NET now has 3 different versions, how do they all fit together and what audiences are they aimed at?

Express is for the student, enthusiast and hobbyist. It’s designed for building applications for personal use.

Standard is for the VB6 customer and the Web customer. It preserves the simplicity of the Express products while adding support for all languages and product types. It’s the ideal entry point for professionals building applications on the .NET Framework for the first time.

Pro is the professional developer’s tool, specifically for developers working alone or on small teams.

Team System is for the professional development organisation, from the architect to the operations manager, who need to manage the software development lifecycle and collaborate more effectively.