Visual Studio is the IDE used to build most Virtuoso host platforms, though the framework can be extended to incorporate any IDE. If you will be developing a host application using a platform requiring Visual Studio, install Visual Studio using one of the links below. There are free versions of Visual Studio that can be used to develop your host application in its entirety, however you should review the Visual Studio license agreement for the version you select to determine your requirements. Currently, only Visual Studio 2013 and 2015 are supported.

A comparison of some of the differences between Visual Studio 2013 and 2015 versions are listed below.

Visual Studio 2015 Community

• Free (Check License Details)
• Supports Plugins
• Does Not Support Application Deployment
• C/C++ project entry points must be void main(void)
• Download link: https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=691978&clcid=0x409

Visual Studio 2015 Express For Desktop

• Free (Check License Details)
• Supports Plugins
• Does Not Support Application Deployment (Required if you wish to deploy your virtual device with an installation wizard)
• C/C++ project entry points must be void main(void)
• Download link: https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=691984&clcid=0x409

Visual Studio 2015 Professional

• Monthly License Subscription Fee Required
• Supports Plugins
• Supports Application Deployment
• C/C++ project entry points must be void main(void)
• Download link: https://beta.visualstudio.com/vs/professional/

Visual Studio 2013 Community

• Free (Check License Details)
• Supports Plugins
• Does Not Support Application Deployment
• C/C++ project entry points may be arbitrarily selected (i.e. void VirtuosoMain(void))
• Download link: https://www.visualstudio.com/en-us/news/vs2013-community-vs.aspx

Visual Studio 2013 Express For Desktop

• Free (Check License Details)
• Does Not Support Plugins
• Does Not Support Application Deployment (Required if you wish to deploy your virtual device with an installation wizard)
• C/C++ project entry points may be arbitrarily selected (i.e. void VirtuosoMain(void))
• Download link: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=44914

Visual Studio 2013 Professional

• One Time License Fee Required
• Supports Plugins
• Supports Application Deployment
• C/C++ project entry points may be arbitrarily selected (i.e. void VirtuosoMain(void))
• Download link: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=44914