Tools to Get Started

If you're new to development or development on Microsoft software, you should download the free Visual Studio 2005 Express Edition products. Visual Studio Express comes in five different flavors:

• For Web Development

  • Visual Web Developer Express Edition 

• For Windows Development

  • Visual Basic Express Edition

  • Visual C# Express Edition

  • Visual C++ Express Edition

  • Visual J# Express Edition 

• For Database Development

  • SQL Server Express Edition (note: SQL Server Express is an optional component in the setup of the other Visual Studio Express products)

Beginner Developer Learning Center

We assume you are at least somewhat familiar with programming fundamentals. If you're brand new to programming, we suggest you review the Beginner Developer Learning Center which contains videos, tutorials, and code samples for Windows and Web development.  

APIs and SDKs to Play With

There are plenty of free APIs you can use to write code with Visual Studio.

Windows

• Windows Platform SDK

• .NET Framework 3.0 Beta SDK

• Windows Vista Media Center SDK

• Windows Speech SDK

• Windows Media Encoder 9 SDK

• Windows Media Player - Video, Project

• Apple iTunes SDK

• AOL Instant Messenger

Web

• Windows Live Developer Center

• eBay Developer Program 

• Amazon Web Services

• Yahoo .NET Developer Center

• YouTube Developer API

• Programmable Web API List

• XMethods.NET - Web Service list

• WeatherBug API

Gaming

• XNA Game Studio Express (Beta) 

• Flight Simulator X SDK

Hardware

• Microsoft Robotics Studio

• Z-Wave PC SDK

• Phidgets SDK