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Building a Simple Test Project

Once you have installed SharpDevelop, the File ➤ New ➤ Solution menu option allows you to pick

which type of project you wish to generate (and in which .NET language). For example, assume you

have created a C# Windows Application named MySDWinApp (see Figure 2-12).

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Figure 2-12.

The SharpDevelop New Project dialog box

Like Visual Studio, you have a GUI designer, toolbox (to drag and drop controls onto the

designer), and a Properties window to set up the look and feel of each UI item. Figure 2-13 illus-

trates configuring a Button type using the IDE.

Figure 2-13.

Graphically designing a Windows Forms Application with SharpDevelop

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If you were to click the Source button mounted to the bottom of the form’s designer, you would

find the expected IntelliSense, code completion, and integrated help features (see Figure 2-14).

Figure 2-14.

SharpDevelop supports numerous code-generation utilities.

SharpDevelop was designed to mimic much of the same functionality found within Microsoft’s

.NET IDEs (which we will examine next). Given this point, I won’t dive into all of the features of this

open source .NET IDE. If you require more information, simply use the provided Help menu.