Use this tag for version specific questions about ReSharper 5.0 - the refactoring and productivity extension for Visual Studio by JetBrains. When using this tag also include the more generic [resharper] tag where possible.
Here are highlights of some of the features in Resharper 5.0:
Code Analysis for C#
ReSharper analyzes and highlights errors in C# code (up to C# 4.0) while you type, without having to compile it first. It also helps you solve problems instantly, by suggesting quick-fixes for most errors. You can analyze your code both in a current file and throughout the entire solution. For example, in C# 3.0 Resharper will recommend using "var" for type initialization, or making a method static.
Coding Assistance
ReSharper extends and improves Visual Studio's native code completion. If you begin to use a namespace that isn't referenced, Resharper shows you a list of candidates and will automatically insert the appropriate using statement at the top of the class for you. It introduces color highlighting for fields, local variables, and types; transforms code using context actions; lets you move and duplicate blocks of code; auto-inserts brackets, parenthesis and quotes; shows concise documentation for types, type members and method parameters as pop-up tips, and more.
Code Cleanup
Code Cleanup enables you to run a dozen useful ReSharper features at once — specifically, reformat your code according to custom style settings, arrange usages of 'this' qualifier, remove code redundancies, convert properties with backup fields to auto-properties, make fields read-only if possible, optimize using directives, shorten qualified references, update file header, replace explicit types with vars, and revamp your code with many more settings.
Code Generation
ReSharper is smart enough to generate method stubs from usage, and feature-rich enough to provide special-purpose dialog boxes for creating constructors, read and write properties, and more. All these classy tools are readily accessible from a single pop-up window.
Code Templates
You can use a rich set of predefined code templates as well as define your own templates to automatically create loops, arrays, variables, method declarations, and a variety of other code constructs. File templates, 'surround with' templates and live templates for C#, VB.NET and XML let you choose the most convenient way of inserting a ready piece of code in any situation.
Navigation and Search
Whenever you need to find a certain type, field, method, or any other symbol, ReSharper provides you with a variety of ways to do it. You can find a symbol by name, navigate to a symbol declaration from its reference in code, or find and highlight symbol usages. ReSharper also allows you to thoroughly review type hierarchies and file structures, with its dedicated tool windows that are smartly integrated into Visual Studio user interface.
Refactoring
ReSharper provides a much wider set of automated code refactorings than Visual Studio. In total, 34 different refactorings are available.
Unit Testing
ReSharper automatically detects whether your project contains NUnit tests. It allows you to run and profile unit tests right from the code editor, shows the structure of tests in your solution, and provides you with a dedicated window where you can analyze test results and re-run unit tests. Support for other test frameworks (MbUnit, xUnit, MSTest) is available via third-party plugins.
