Joe, I'm really sorry that VS2008 isn't supported. If you can, open a new feature request on the codeplex site & up vote it. If enough people want it, perhaps we can do something about it. thx.
That's a great question. Answer: we don't know.
From day 1 we wanted to make this a community driven project, the current plan is release it, add a bunch of features for 1.1 & 2.0 and see where it goes. Maybe it'll fizzle out, maybe it'll take off & then the big cheeses want to put it in the box (this will require giving CPR to the legal dept 1st).
It's not clear that being "in the box" is necessary is a great thing as it'll reduce our ability to do rapid releases (we had our Alpha in Jan & RTM'd in August).
Short answer: community decides.
vivek - Note that if you have a large source base (eg 100+ MBs) such as Enthought or ActiveState distro, it'll take about 10-15 mins for the database to be generated. Hang in there...
1.
2. List of things we don't have:
Marketing rep; Doc person (you can probably tell by looking at our site!); Release manager; PR person; I18N support; Product Manager;
PS Thanks - if this is successful, hopefully mgmt will support more of these types of projects.
poena.dare - regarding Guido: He actually likes us!
We were at PyCon and he stopped by our poster session, asked a whole bunch of questions, was very engaging & then went and tweeted about PTVS. I should frame that tweet...
AC - absolutely, one of our aims was to provide a zero cost version. If you install the Integrated Shell + PTVS, you're in business. Just add a Python interpreter of your choice & you're set.
AC - your point is well taken. With a language like Python your need for a full blown IDE is reduced. I've found that using an IDE really comes down to whether the learning curve is worth it or not... there are cases like navigating a large new project, graphical debugging, completion, mixed mode or multi-lingual debugging, etc can benefit from IDE support. Is it absolutely necessary? No at all. As mentioned in another thread, even inside MS some ppl live inside VS 24X7, some just use it for the debugger & use vi/emacs otherwise... to each their won.
wrt creating a thick layer between you & your code, we've tried to avoid some of that. PTVS doesnt mess w your application directory structure, the editor stays out of your way (there's even a vi add-in!), etc. check out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CoGsSlrxKk
Note that cross-plat minimal IDE/REPL's like ipython.org now have syntax highlighting, completion, inline graphics, etc. as well. If don't want a full blown IDE but still a Python REPL on steroids, give ipython a shot. It has impressive interactive parallel computing features as well.
AC, siride is correct that it would be a massive undertaking with a dubious payoff.
However, imho having a VS that can let you target Linux & MacOS using your compiler/libs/runtime of choice isn't too far fetched.
I can confess that while at Sun, some devs used VC++ for productivity reasons & then recompiled using the highly optimizing (but much slower) sparc compilers...
>This is just a cheap attempt to steal potential Android developers
Of all the things PTVS has been accused of, this is a first
> The only way you guys can return to being the platform of choice is to have the biggest app store.
I personally agree with you 100%. There's been lots of rumors of a Win8 AppStore, tho even we don't get much info. Waiting till the BUILD conference to hear more. Would i like to see hobbyists and serious devs make $ on the Win8 AppStore with Python? You bet. You shouldn't even have to use PTVS... sadly, we're not an approved language (keeping fingers crossed).
AC - PyCharm is an awesome Python IDE. big thumbs up from us. If you require a cross-plat IDE, it's a great choice.
Regarding responding to stuff quickly - I can't speak for other projects, but that's been one of our goals. You can easily check by looking at our bugs & discussion pages & replies (note that we are a small team & don't have support staff). We usually respond within a day or two, usually much less:
stoicfaux - It really depends. Inside MS we have ppl who live & die by their IDE and those who rarely use VS and some that use it primarily only when debugging. You should use whatever you like & makes you productive.
As far as the IDE not being able to do completion, renaming, etc. check out these short videos that cover those topics:
AC - those are all good questions. Let me ask you one:
Would you want VS to:
1. Run natively on Linux or
2. Run on Windows but easily support gcc, etc & cross compile to Linux
?
#1 is extremely difficult & costly. #2 is technically possible, but I have no idea what the interest level would be. Naturally it would only appeal to those who like using IDE's as opposed to editor+shell.
If a cross-compiling, MacOS / Linux targeting VS (with the compiler/libs of your choice) is something people may be interested in, I can certainly take that msg back to relevant teams.
AC - thanks for the heads up. I can assure you that I've never talked to or met those guys. I guess I better do that (you'd think we'd be a bit more coordinated than that...). This project was pretty much organic & self-started in the Technical Computing Group (the team that does HPC, Cluster Computing, etc stuff).
MM - you're right... f'd up. English as a 2nd language... too much of a
"Experience has proved that some people indeed know everything." -- Russell Baker
