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Microsoft Visual Studio

Information Technology > Development environment

Description

Microsoft Visual Studio is a comprehensive development environment used to create applications, web services, and websites. It supports multiple programming languages like C#, VB.NET, C++, and more. Users start with basic skills such as understanding the IDE, creating projects, and writing code. As they gain proficiency, they learn advanced debugging, unit testing, working with databases, and integrating with Azure services. At an expert level, users can extend Visual Studio's functionality with plugins, automate tasks, and lead development teams. Mastery of Visual Studio involves not just coding, but also project management, performance profiling, and continuous integration and deployment.

Expected Behaviors

LEVEL 1

Fundamental Awareness

At this level, individuals are expected to have a basic understanding of the Visual Studio IDE. They should be familiar with creating new projects, using the code editor, and navigating the solution explorer. They should also have an awareness of the debugging tools available within the platform.

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LEVEL 2

Novice

Novices should be capable of creating and managing projects, writing and editing code, and using IntelliSense for code completion. They should also be able to run and debug applications, and have a basic understanding of how to use version control systems within Visual Studio.

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LEVEL 3

Intermediate

Intermediate users should be proficient in refactoring code, conducting unit tests, and working with databases. They should also be adept at using advanced debugging techniques, integrating with Azure services, and using version control systems effectively.

LEVEL 4

Advanced

Advanced users should be skilled in performance profiling, code analysis and metrics, and customizing the IDE. They should also be capable of creating and managing NuGet packages, implementing continuous integration and deployment, and integrating with Azure services at an advanced level.

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LEVEL 5

Expert

Experts should be able to extend Visual Studio with plugins and extensions, automate tasks with macros, and have a deep understanding of the .NET framework and CLR. They should also be proficient in multi-threaded and parallel programming, mastering advanced debugging and diagnostics, and leading and managing development teams using Visual Studio.

Micro Skills

LEVEL 1

Fundamental Awareness

Identifying main menu
Identifying toolbar
Identifying status bar
Understanding different project types
Selecting appropriate language
Selecting appropriate platform
Writing Hello World program
Using variables
Creating functions
Expanding and collapsing nodes
Opening files
Searching for files
Starting debugging
Observing program execution
Stopping debugging
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LEVEL 2

Novice

Understanding project templates
Adding and removing project items
Managing project properties
Building and rebuilding projects
Setting startup projects
Understanding syntax highlighting
Using code snippets
Navigating through code
Commenting and uncommenting code
Formatting code
Understanding IntelliSense triggers
Using IntelliSense for variable and method suggestions
Using IntelliSense for code definitions
Using IntelliSense for parameter info
Customizing IntelliSense options
Understanding the debugging process
Setting and removing breakpoints
Stepping through code
Inspecting variables
Handling exceptions during debugging
Understanding version control concepts
Committing changes
Reverting changes
Viewing history of changes
Resolving merge conflicts
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LEVEL 3

Intermediate

Understanding of refactoring principles
Using built-in refactoring tools
Creating and applying custom refactorings
Writing unit tests using MSTest, NUnit, or xUnit
Running and debugging unit tests
Code coverage analysis
Mocking objects for unit testing
Connecting to databases
Executing SQL queries
Managing database schemas
Using Entity Framework for data access
Setting conditional breakpoints
Inspecting variables and expressions at runtime
Stepping through code execution
Analyzing call stacks
Deploying applications to Azure
Using Azure storage services
Integrating with Azure Active Directory
Monitoring applications with Application Insights
Using Git within Visual Studio
Branching and merging strategies
Using pull requests for code reviews
LEVEL 4

Advanced

Understanding performance indicators
Using the Performance Profiler tool
Analyzing CPU usage
Memory and thread diagnostics
Optimizing application performance
Running code analysis
Understanding and interpreting code metrics
Implementing code fixes
Customizing rule sets
Enforcing code style and conventions
Changing theme and layout
Customizing menus and toolbars
Creating task lists
Setting up environment variables
Configuring keyboard shortcuts
Creating a NuGet package
Publishing a NuGet package
Managing package dependencies
Updating and restoring packages
Securing and versioning packages
Setting up a CI/CD pipeline
Automating builds
Automating tests
Deploying applications
Monitoring and improving pipeline performance
Working with Azure Functions
Managing Azure resources
Integrating with Azure DevOps
Monitoring and diagnosing Azure applications
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LEVEL 5

Expert

Understanding the Visual Studio SDK
Creating custom commands
Creating tool windows
Creating project templates
Packaging and distributing extensions
Understanding the DTE (Development Tools Environment)
Writing and editing macros
Debugging macros
Assigning macros to keyboard shortcuts
Sharing macros with other developers
Understanding CLR internals
Proficiency in IL (Intermediate Language)
Understanding .NET memory management
Advanced knowledge of .NET types and assemblies
Expertise in .NET security model
Understanding threads and tasks in .NET
Synchronization and locking
Deadlock detection and prevention
Parallel LINQ (PLINQ)
Asynchronous programming with async and await
Using IntelliTrace for historical debugging
Memory and performance profiling
Debugging multithreaded applications
Debugging with dump files
Using conditional breakpoints and tracepoints
Setting up team projects
Managing permissions and security
Using Team Explorer for collaborative development
Implementing code reviews
Tracking work items and bugs

Skill Overview

  • Expert2 years experience
  • Micro-skills121
  • Roles requiring skill4

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