Source Versioning for Visual Studio Express

Question

Is there any Visual Studio Express plug ins for source versioning? I am starting a project on my own and only have the Express version of Visual Studio 2008.

Answer 1

Way I do this is I have TortosieHG installed and then in visual studios express i went to Tools>External Tools.

I created the following enteries:

Title: HG New Repositry 
Command: C:\Program Files\TortoiseHg\hgtk.exe
Arguments: --nofork init Initial
directory: $(SolutionDir)

Title: HG Commit 
Command: C:\Program  Files\TortoiseHg\hgtk.exe 
Arguments: --nofork init Initial directory: $(SolutionDir)

I then added the two external tools to the toolbar. Now I don't get as nice intergration as I would with the full version of visual studios but I can commit source code and create a source repository without leaving Visual Studios.

Answer 2

Short answer: No.

The Express editions support neither the Add-Ins nor Source Control providers (SCC plug-ins). While there are ways to make this work, they are undocumented, violate the license and have caused legal trouble before…

Answer 3

You don't really need an integration/plugin. First is not supported but there are very good alternatives to make it work.

Whatever SCM you decide to use (SVN, GIT, PlasticSCM, Mercurial) just use the "find changes" workflow:

• Do your changes
• Find your modifications within the tool you've chosen to use
• Commit

http://codicesoftware.blogspot.com/2009/12/how-to-find-changes-on-plastic-scm.html

Edit: PlasticSCM is free for up to 15 users since Nov 1st 2010.

Answer 4

Visual studio 2012 Express offers an express version of Team Foundation Server.

Answer 5

Source control integration is not supported in the Express editions of Visual Studio. Check out the feature comparison chart at http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/vstudio/products/cc149003.aspx

Answer 6

You can get cloud based Team Foundation Service for free as long as your project has 5 or fewer members. I've been using it for a few months now and it works great. There are a some features of Team Foundation Server that are not available yet, but, hey, it's free.

http://tfs.visualstudio.com/

Answer 7

VisualSVN doesn't support Visual Studio Express editions. Visit here for more info http://www.visualsvn.com/visualsvn/download/

Answer 8

Interesting, does the Express edition auto-check for file updates? If so, just use TortoiseSVN and save yourself the money of upgrading.

Answer 9

I don't think there are any plugins for Express versions of VS. Googling 'Jamie Cansdale' is the canonical reference for this issue.

Answer 10

The VisualSVN manual says it works with all editions of Visual Studio - though I have not personally tried it. I know that none of Microsoft's Team Foundation Server stuff will work with Express.