Visual Studio 2008 SP1 includes support for SQL Server 2008, new ADO.NET features such as the Entity Framework, improvements to the WPF designers, WCF templates for Silverlight projects, debugger support for the .NET Framework public symbols and source release, control improvements such as the DataRepeater for Windows Forms and Office 2007 Ribbons for C++, and several general updates for debugging and IntelliSense.

The Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 Express Editions with SP1 are a free set of tools that are simple, fun and easy to learn. Continuing the Microsoft tradition of enabling developers of all skill levels, this latest release enables hobbyists, students, experienced and casual developers alike to create cool, fun applications.

Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 provides an industry-leading developer experience for Windows Vista, the 2007 Microsoft Office system, and the Web.