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Visual Studio Tips and Tricks for Efficient Coding Development

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Visual Studio Tips and Tricks for Efficient Coding Development

Introduction

Visual Studio (VS) is Microsoft’s flagship integrated development environment (IDE), designed to support a wide range of programming languages including C#, VB.NET, C++, Python, JavaScript, and more. It integrates code editing, debugging, version control, and collaboration tools into a single platform.

This presentation delves into advanced tips and tricks to enhance productivity during coding development. We’ll focus on VS 2022, the latest major release as of 2023, which includes AI-assisted features like GitHub Copilot integration. These techniques can reduce development time by up to 30-50% for experienced users, based on productivity studies from Microsoft and developer surveys. Code snippets are provided in C# for illustration, but principles apply across languages.

Keyboard Shortcuts for Speed

Keyboard shortcuts are the backbone of efficient coding in VS. They minimize mouse usage, allowing for rapid navigation and editing. Mastering them can shave hours off daily tasks. Beyond the basics, consider context-specific shortcuts.

  • Ctrl + Shift + B: Builds the entire solution. Useful for catching compilation errors early; combine with error list (Ctrl + , E) to jump to issues.
  • F5 / Ctrl + F5: Starts debugging (F5) or runs without debugging (Ctrl + F5). Ctrl + F5 is ideal for quick tests without breakpoints.
  • Ctrl + . (dot): Triggers Quick Actions, such as generating methods, implementing interfaces, or fixing code smells. For example, it can auto-add missing using statements.
  • Ctrl + K, Ctrl + D: Formats the document, aligning indentation and spacing per your settings. Customize in Options > Text Editor > [Language] > Formatting.
  • Ctrl + Shift + F: Opens Find in Files, allowing regex searches across projects. Use it to refactor variable names globally.
  • F12 / Ctrl + Click: Jumps to the definition of a symbol. Hold Ctrl and click for multi-selection.
  • Alt + Enter: Opens the lightbulb menu for quick fixes, like suppressing warnings or adding null checks.
  • Ctrl + R, Ctrl + R: Renames a symbol and updates all references. Essential for refactoring without breaking code.
  • Additional shortcuts: Ctrl + Shift + L to delete a line, Ctrl + D to duplicate a line, and Ctrl + Shift + V for clipboard history. Practice in a test project to build muscle memory.

Code Navigation and IntelliSense

VS’s navigation features leverage IntelliSense, a smart code completion engine powered by Roslyn compilers. It predicts code based on context, reducing typos and speeding up writing.

  • Ctrl + T: The “Go to All” search box filters by type, member, or file. Type “T:” for types or “M:” for members.
  • Ctrl + Shift + T: Reopens the last closed tab, mimicking browser behavior.

  • Ctrl + Tab: Cycles through open documents; hold Ctrl and use arrow keys for a dropdown.

  • Breadcrumb Navigation: Displays the current location in the class hierarchy; click to jump levels.

🍞 Breadcrumb Navigation - Navigate Class Hierarchy Breadcrumb navigation is the navigation bar at the top of the code editor that shows your current location in the code structure.

📍 Where to Find It Look at the very top of your code editor window, just below the tab with the file name. You’ll see a path like:

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    TestApplication.Debugging > ConditionalBreakpoints > ObjectPropertyCondition

🎯 What It Shows The breadcrumb displays your current location:

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    Namespace (e.g., TestApplication.Debugging)
    Class (e.g., 
    ConditionalBreakpoints
    )
    Method/Property (e.g., 
    ObjectPropertyCondition
    )
    🖱️ How to Use It
    Click Any Level to Navigate
    Click on the namespace:
    
    Shows dropdown of all classes in that namespace
    Select any class to jump to it
    Click on the class name:
    
    Shows dropdown of all members (methods, properties, fields)
    Select any member to jump to it
    Click on the method name:
    
    Shows dropdown of all methods in the class
    Quick way to jump between methods

🎯 Practical Uses

  1. Quick Navigation Between Methods Instead of scrolling, click the method name in breadcrumb → select another method

  2. Jump to Different Classes Click namespace → see all classes → jump to any class

  3. See Current Context Glance at breadcrumb to know exactly where you are in large files

  4. Navigate Nested Classes

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     MyNamespace > OuterClass > InnerClass > NestedClass > Method

Click any level to see what’s available at that level

⚙️ Enable/Disable Breadcrumbs If you don’t see breadcrumbs:

Tools > Options Text Editor > All Languages > General Check: ☑️ “Navigation bar” Click OK Or for specific language:

Text Editor > C# > General Check: ☑️ “Navigation bar”

💡 Pro Tips

Tip 1: Keyboard Navigation

Ctrl + F2 - Focus on breadcrumb Arrow keys - Navigate dropdown Enter - Select item

Tip 2: Type to Filter

Click breadcrumb dropdown Start typing method name List filters automatically

Tip 3: Use with Ctrl+T

Ctrl + T - Go to All (search everything) Breadcrumbs - Navigate within current file Use both for maximum efficiency! Tip 4: See Member Types Breadcrumb dropdown shows icons:

🔷 Method 📦 Property 🔧 Field 🎯 Constructor 📋 Event

  • Code Lens: Hover over methods to see reference counts, test statuses, and authorship. Enable via Options > Text Editor > All Languages > Code Lens.

👁️ Code Lens - Inline Code Information Code Lens displays useful information directly above methods in your code, showing references, test status, authors, and more without opening other windows.

🎯 What Code Lens Shows Above each method, you’ll see inline information like:

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// 3 references | Last modified by John Doe 2 days ago | 2 tests passing
public void MyMethod()
{
    // Your code
}

⚙️ How to Enable Code Lens

Method 1: Options Menu

Tools > Options Navigate to: Text Editor > All Languages > Code Lens

Check: ☑️ “Enable Code Lens” Click OK

Method 2: Quick Search

Press Ctrl + Q Type: “Code Lens” Click “Options: Text Editor > All Languages > Code Lens”

Method 3: For C# Only

Tools > Options Text Editor > C# > Code Lens

Check: ☑️ “Enable Code Lens”

📊 What Information You’ll See

  1. References (Most Useful!)
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    // 5 references
public void ProcessData()
  • Shows how many times the method is called
  • Click “5 references” → See all locations
  • Same as Shift + F12 (Find All References)
  1. Test Status (If you have tests)
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    // 3 tests passing
public int Add(int a, int b)
    • Shows test results for the method
    • Green = passing, Red = failing
    • Click → Jump to tests
  2. Git Authorship (If using Git)
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    // Last modified by Alice Smith 3 days ago
public void MyMethod()
    • Shows who last changed the method
    • Shows when it was changed
    • Click → See commit history
  3. Incoming Changes (Git)
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    // 2 incoming changes
public void MyMethod()
    • Shows changes from other branches
  • Helps avoid merge conflicts

⚙️ Customize What Code Lens Shows

Tools > Options > Text Editor > All Languages > Code Lens

You can enable/disable individual indicators:

Available Indicators:

☑️ References - Show reference count (most useful!)

☑️ Changes - Show Git changes

☑️ Authors - Show who modified

☑️ Incoming changes - Show changes from other branches

☑️ Test status - Show test results (Enterprise only)

☑️ Code health - Show code metrics (Enterprise only)

Recommended settings:

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    ✅ References - Always useful
    ✅ Changes - Good for Git users
    ✅ Authors - Good for teams
    ⬜ Incoming changes - Can be noisy
    ⬜ Test status - Only if you have Enterprise
    ⬜ Code health - Only if you have Enterprise

  • Tip: Use “Find All References” (Shift + F12) to see where a method is used, then filter results. For large codebases, combine with “Call Hierarchy” (Ctrl + K, Ctrl + T) to visualize method calls.

  • Peek Definition (Alt + F12): Shows code inline without switching files, perfect for understanding dependencies.

Example: In a C# file, IntelliSense suggests completions as you type:

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public class Calculator
{
    public int Add(int a, int b)
    {
        return a + b; // IntelliSense predicts "return" and suggests variables
    }
}

Use Peek Definition on Add to view its implementation without leaving the file.

Debugging Essentials

Debugging in VS is robust, with tools for stepping through code, inspecting variables, and handling exceptions. Advanced features like historical debugging (via IntelliTrace) allow replaying execution.

  • Conditional Breakpoints: Set conditions (e.g., x > 10) or hit counts. Right-click the breakpoint glyph.
  • Watch Windows: Add complex expressions like list.Count > 0 to monitor in real-time.
  • Step Into/Over/Out (F10/F11/Shift+F11): F11 steps into methods, F10 over them. Use Shift+F11 to exit.
  • Immediate Window: Evaluate expressions or execute code during pauses, e.g., ? myVar.ToString().
  • Exception Settings: Break on specific exceptions (e.g., only NullReferenceException) to avoid noise.
  • DataTips: Hover for values; right-click to add to Watch. Pin for persistence across sessions.
  • Trick: “Edit and Continue” lets you edit code mid-debug (e.g., fix a bug) and continue without restarting. Enable in Options > Debugging > General.

Example: Debugging a loop with a conditional breakpoint:

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for (int i = 0; i < 10; i++)
{
    if (i % 2 == 0)
    {
        Console.WriteLine($"Even: {i}"); // Breakpoint here with condition: i == 4
    }
}

In the Immediate Window, type i++ to modify the variable during debugging.

Extensions and Tools

Extensions expand VS’s capabilities. The Visual Studio Marketplace hosts thousands; install via Tools > Extensions and Updates.

  • NuGet Package Manager: Manages libraries. Use the GUI or console for bulk installs.
  • Live Share: Enables real-time collaboration; share sessions via links for pair programming.
  • Resharper or CodeRush: Offer advanced refactoring, duplicate detection, and code inspections. Resharper integrates with Rider for cross-platform use.
  • Git Integration: Built-in support for branching, staging, and diffing. Use Git Changes window for commits.
  • Visual Studio Code Extensions: Many (e.g., Prettier for formatting) are available via Marketplace.
  • Tip: “Productivity Power Tools” adds features like custom document tabs and enhanced search.

Example: Installing and using a NuGet package:

In Package Manager Console:

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Install-Package Serilog

Then in code:

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using Serilog;

Log.Logger = new LoggerConfiguration().WriteTo.Console().CreateLogger();
Log.Information("App started");

For Git, stage changes with git add . in the terminal or via VS UI.

Productivity Hacks

These hacks leverage VS’s lesser-known features for workflow optimization.

  • Code Snippets: Predefined templates. Type “ctor” + Tab for constructors. Create custom ones in Code Snippets Manager.
  • Multi-Cursor Editing: Ctrl + Alt + Click to place cursors; edit multiple lines simultaneously.
  • Surround With: Select code and use Ctrl + K, Ctrl + S to wrap in constructs like if-statements.

  • Task List:

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      Step 1: Add TODO Comments in Your Code
  Step 2: View Task List Open Task List:
  Menu: View > Task List Keyboard:
  Ctrl + , T (or Ctrl + \, T) 
  You'll see a window showing all your TODO comments with:
  Description
  File name
  Line number
    
  Step 3: Navigate to Tasks
  Double-click any task in the list → jumps directly to that line of code!
  • Split Windows: Drag a tab to the side for dual-pane editing, ideal for comparing files.

Example: Using a snippet for a property:

Type propfull + Tab:

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private int myVar;

public int MyProperty
{
    get { return myVar; }
    set { myVar = value; }
}

For Surround With, select int x = 5; and wrap in an if:

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if (condition)
{
    int x = 5;
}

Best Practices and Customization

Customize VS to match your workflow. Settings sync via Microsoft account for consistency across devices.

  • Themes and Layouts: Dark mode reduces eye strain; customize colors in Options > Environment > Fonts and Colors.
  • Version Control Integration: Link to GitHub/Azure DevOps for pull requests and CI/CD.
  • Code Analysis: Roslyn analyzers provide real-time feedback on performance and security.
  • Performance Tips: Use “Lightweight Solution Load” for large projects; disable telemetry if needed.
  • Backup Settings: Export/import settings via Tools > Import and Export Settings.

Trick: Enable “Live Unit Testing” to see test results in real-time as you code.

Live Unit Testing shows test pass/fail indicators directly in your code editor as you type.

Live Unit Testing is ONLY available in:

✅ Visual Studio Enterprise edition

❌ NOT in Community edition

❌ NOT in Professional edition

If you have Community or Professional, you won’t see this option.

🎯 How to Enable (Enterprise Only)

Method 1: Menu

Test menu → Live Unit Testing → Start

Or: Test → Live Unit Testing → Options to configure

Method 2: Keyboard

Ctrl + Q → Type “Live Unit Testing” → Select “Start”

Method 3: Test Explorer

Open Test Explorer (Ctrl + E, T)

Click the Live Unit Testing icon in toolbar

Select Start

🎨 What You’ll See

Once enabled, you’ll see glyphs (icons) in the editor margin:

✅ Green checkmark - Line is covered by passing tests

❌ Red X - Line is covered by failing tests

➖ Blue dash - Line is not covered by any tests

⚪ Gray circle - Code changed, tests need to run

⚙️ Configure Live Unit Testing

Test > Live Unit Testing > Options

Settings to configure:

✅ Enable Live Unit Testing on solution open

✅ Automatically run tests after build

⏱️ Test execution timeout

📁 Include/exclude specific projects

💾 Persist test data between sessions

Note: Configuring code analysis in .editorconfig:

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[*.cs]
dotnet_analyzer_diagnostic.category-Performance.severity = warning

This flags performance issues like unnecessary allocations.

Conclusion

These in-depth tips transform VS into a highly efficient tool, emphasizing automation and precision. Start by integrating shortcuts into daily use, then layer on debugging and extensions.

Resources: Microsoft’s Learn platform for tutorials, Stack Overflow for community advice, and the VS blog for updates. Experiment in a sandbox project to avoid disrupting production code. Happy coding!

Get in Touch

Have suggestions, feedback, or specific topics you’d like us to cover? Don’t hesitate to reach out:

Thank you for stopping by, and let the learning adventure begin! 🚀

Appreciation:

Shawn

Thank you for being a part of this journey. Keep the flame alive. Here’s to more learning and growth together!

Coding, Development, Best Practices
Development Best Practices technology
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