Visual Studio 2022 17.9 Preview 2 Released: Empowering Developers with Improved C++ #include Diagnostics and Build Insights
.NET MAUI, C++, Remote Linux Unit Testing, Teams Toolkit, and More in Visual Studio 17.9 Preview 2
Microsoft has published Visual Studio 2022 17.9 Preview 2, the last release of 2023 development activities. This update expands on the framework laid down by Preview 1 in November. Preview 2 includes enhancements and new capabilities for C++,.NET MAUI, Remote Linux Unit Testing, Teams Toolkit, and many more.
In C++, significant enhancements have been made to the #include Diagnostics. This improvement offers more robust functioning by allowing developers to see how frequently each #include directive appears in their code.
As previously stated, particular references may be investigated by clicking on the reference count at the top of the directive, and developers can travel to any reference by simply double-clicking. Furthermore, following Build Insights, this functionality extends to disclose the compilation time of #include directives, offering useful insights into the codebase.
Another notable enhancement is the Auto Surround with Quotes or Brackets tool, which improves productivity. Developers may now just use bracket delimiters, such as double quotes, single quotes, and parentheses, to encapsulate a selection. This functionality may be turned on or off in Visual Studio by going to Tools > Options > Text Editor.
The inclusion of the Live Property Explorer (LPE) improves the.NET MAUI development experience. This tool is meant to make development easier by allowing developers to see XAML properties during debugging. When combined with XAML Live Preview and Live Visual Tree, Live Property Explorer provides a good solution for debugging, performance optimization, and property examination.
To use the Live Property Explorer, developers must first debug their.NET MAUI app and then navigate to Debug > Windows > Live Property Explorer. The Live Property Explorer, once started, allows developers to explore and change properties in real time during runtime.
(Live Property Explorer Usage; Visual Studio Release Notes as the source)
As previously announced, Visual Studio 2022 now supports remote Linux unit testing in response to customer input. This addition allows unit tests for C++ applications targeting Linux to be run in the Test Explorer on WSL or remote computers. Concerning the limits, it is claimed that there are some with certain dev container circumstances that will be solved by 17.9 Preview 3.
(Use of Remote Linux Unit Testing; Source: Blog Post Announcement for Visual Studio 17.9 Preview 2)
Other notable changes in this edition include SQL/SSDT enhancements, such as the elimination of the red warning symbol for Username in ADDefaultAuthentication. In addition, three new authentication types have been created to conform to Subsystem standards: ActiveDirectoryManagedIdentity, ActiveDirectoryServicePrincipal, and ActiveDirectoryDefault. This domain has also received normal bug repairs and performance enhancements.
Visual Studio Enterprise and Professional subscribers will now notice a new Benefit Awareness Diamond symbol in the top right corner of the Visual Studio IDE, close to the identity picker. As previously stated, this feature is intended to enable simple access to information regarding included advantages and to permit future upgrades for paying users.
In terms of productivity, the Git Repository Window, branch and tag labels now resize dynamically for enhanced visibility in the Git graph, providing developers with a more user-friendly experience.
Finally, changes to the Microsoft Teams Toolkit now include support for specifying the dotnet framework version in toolkit templates. Furthermore, toolkit templates provide preview and debug features for Outlook and Office.com, further enhancing the toolkit’s capabilities and compatibility.
(Developing a new Teams application using the dotnet framework; Visual Studio Release Notes)
Microsoft and the development team urge customers to submit feedback and share proposals for new features and enhancements, underlining their commitment to improving the Visual Studio experience on a continuous basis.
Finally, developers who want to learn more about this and other Visual Studio releases may read the release notes about additional improvements, modifications, and new features in the Visual Studio 2022 IDE.
FAQ for Visual Studio 17.9 Preview 2
General
Q: What is the purpose of Visual Studio 17.9 Preview 2?
A: Visual Studio 17.9 Preview 2 is a pre-release version of the forthcoming Visual Studio update that includes updates and new capabilities for C++,.NET MAUI, remote Linux testing, Teams Toolkit, and other areas.
Q: What’s new in this version?
A:
- Key characteristics include:
- #include C++ Diagnostics
- Quotes or Brackets for Auto Surround
- MAUI Live Property Explorer for.NET
- C++ Remote Unit Testing on Linux
- SQL/SSDT enhancements
- Visual Studio Enterprise/Professional Advantage Awareness Diamond
- Git Repository Window with Responsive Ref Labels
- Enhancements to the Teams Toolkit
Q: When will Visual Studio 17.9’s final version be available?
A: The precise date has not yet been revealed, although it is believed to be in the first half of 2024.
C++ Advantages
Q: What changes have been made to include Diagnostics?
A: For enhanced code understanding, you can now view the frequency of each #include directive, investigate particular references, and see the compilation time of directives.
Q: How can I turn on/off Auto Surround with Quotes or Brackets?
A: Check or uncheck the “Automatically surround selections when typing quotes or brackets” option under Tools > Options > Text Editor.
Features of.NET MAUI
Q: What exactly is Live Property Explorer, and how can I make use of it?
A: During debugging, you may explore XAML properties using Live Property Explorer. Debug your.NET MAUI program and navigate to Debug > Windows > Live Property Explorer.
Q: Can I use Live Property Explorer in conjunction with other tools?
A: Yes, for debugging, performance optimization, and property analysis, it works well with XAML Live Preview and Live Visual Tree.
Linux Unit Testing from a Remote Location
Q: What are the drawbacks to remote Linux unit testing?
A: Certain dev container scenarios have some constraints, which will be addressed in Preview 3.
Q: On Linux, how can I run unit tests for C++ projects?
A; Use Visual Studio’s Test Explorer to target your tests for execution on WSL or remote computers.
Additional Features and Upgrades
Q: Which new authentication types are available in SQL/SSDT?
A: The red warning for the username in ADDefaultAuthentication is replaced by ActiveDirectoryManagedIdentity, ActiveDirectoryServicePrincipal, and ActiveDirectoryDefault, all of which comply with Subsystem requirements.
Q: Why would someone want a Benefit Awareness Diamond?
A: Through this symbol, Visual Studio Enterprise/Professional members may view details about included features and sign up for future upgrades.
Q: What has the Teams Toolkit added recently?
A: Enjoy enhanced features and compatibility, preview and debug Outlook and Office.com apps, and choose the dotnet framework version in templates.