Programming for Vista

[WesTurrant]

I have a few questions about programming with Vista. I just bought a new laptop with Vista on it, and my programs seem to work fine as far as I have tested them.

1. I only have C# Express and SQL 2005 Express. I was told that only the full version of Visual Studio has a 64 bit compiler for C#... What is this compiler used for? My programs I've created with express edition using XP developement machine seem to work fine on Vista.

Do I need this compiler in order to make programs for Vista?

2. My laptop has a Turion 64 x 2 processor, and I believe that is a 64 bit processor, and Vista is supposed to be a 64 bit operating system, but when I check under system properties its telling me that Vista is running in 32 bit mode? Why would it be running in 32 bit mode and is this the only reason my programs are working in Vista? If Vista was running in 64 bit mode maybe my programs would not run...

3. I have been looking on MS's website and found some information about creating applications to use the new Vista UI. From what I understand this is done automatically and I need no additional code or special controls to make my applications use that interface. It also stated something about .Net Framework 3.0 which I have not downloaded.

Do I need version 3.0 in order to take advantage of the new interface? Its confusing me because each previous version of Visual Studio used only a specific version of .Net Framework, and now it looks like VS 2005 can use version 2.0 or version 3.0. I assume that is the case because I can't find a 2007 version of Visual Studio and I have no idea when a new version of VS will be released.

Thanks.

[MadHatter]

1. no. vista (x64) like xp (x64) run 32 bit applications. the x64 compiler will compile it to a 64 bit application. no, its not required.
2. vista, like xp is both 32 and 64 bit. everyone I know who's run it in 32 bit say it sucks, I myself ran xp x64, and bought vista x64, and haven't had any problems with it (in fact other than gaming--and that only because nvidia's drivers bite--I much prefer vista to xp).
3. you just need .net 3.0, the WPF (what vista uses) comes with that, and you can run it in xp or 2003.
.net 3 is .net 2 with communication, workflow, and presentation foundation. it still uses .net 2 (and the only thing installed in the .net 3 folder are these extra's, mscorlib & the other assemblies are still v 2, nothing has changed there)

[WesTurrant]

I'm still confused. I didn't know that XP was 64 bit, I knew that there was a special version of XP Professional 64 which you could buy. I learned about that in my A+ certification class. I thought you had to buy that special version of the operating system in order to run XP in 64 bit mode.

If Vista is 32 bit and 64 bit how do I run it in 64 bit mode, and what advantage will it give me? Also what advantage does the 64 bit compiler have over the Express Edition compiler.

I've been searching Vista Help files on my computer and it doesn't find anything about 64 bit mode.

[torrud]

What MadHatter means is that a 64-bit Vista version is be able to run 32-bit applications as well as the 64-bit Windows XP version do. So if you have a 64-bit version of Vista your "old" 32-bit applications will be working fine. But if you build a new 64-bit application you should not be able to run it on a 32-bit Windows XP or Vista installation.

[MadHatter]

yes, you have to buy the xp x64 version to get xp in 64 bit version.

when you buy vista retail, it comes with the 32 bit os, and you can send off for the 64 bit version, which you can install.

the 32 bit version is only the 32 bit version. the 64 bit version is only the 64 bit version. you don't get the 64 bit version on the same dvd/cd as the 32 bit version. it is a separate version.

in xp, the 64 bit version (which is the reason I got it) allows you to have more than 2 gig of memory. both 32 and 64 bit versions of vista allow you to have more than 2 gig of memory.

amd's 64 bit processors can run in 32 bit mode. my thinking is that if I have a 64 bit processor, why not run on an OS that takes advantage of a 64 bit processor.

[WesTurrant]

Ok, Thanks. It sounds like my programs I am writting on XP Home and Pro 32 bit versions will work on any version of Vista.

I just got confused because I was told by Best Buy when I got the computer that most programs and games wont run on Vista unless I downloaded a patch or something, but I haven't had any problems yet. I've only installed MS products though.

I found on MSs website it looks like a new version of VS is for download if you are a MSDN subscriber. Orcha or something like that. I think this is the next version of VS to be released.

I wonder if MS will release free express editions of the next version of VS as well. That was a good idea because I only program for a hobby I can't afford to buy anything that expensive.

:)

I do find limits to the debugger in express edition though. Like I cannot find any way to disable all break points in the program at the same time. On VS 03 there was a menu option, now I have to find each one manually and disable it. :( Maybe there is a shortcut key but I can't find it.

[MadHatter]

the only things that havent worked for me were things that ran at a lower level and had unsigned drivers (which vista doesn't allow).

here's something to check out. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/933305

best buy ppl tend to not know what they're talking about.

[WesTurrant]

Thanks.

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