Available / supported by Visual Studio 2003

Question

Pretty much what the name says.

We have code based on .NET 1.1, and no real desire to convert it. However, we want to add developers to the team, and they will need copies of Visual Studio.

I understand that they will need VS 2003 - since this is the only .NET 1.1 development environment, but I wonder if we can buy it?

Answer 1

Visual Studio 2003 is still available for download for MSDN subscribers.

EULA for Visual Studio includes a “downgrade” offer that appears, IMNAL, so you can buy Visual Studio 2008 and then install 2003 under the same license.

DownGrade. You can install and use this version and an earlier version of the software at the same time. This agreement applies to your use of an earlier version. If the earlier version includes various components, any conditions for these components in the agreement that comes with the earlier version apply to their use. Microsoft is not required to ship earlier versions for you.

Answer 2

You can create 1.1 projects in Visual Studio 2005:

http://www.hanselman.com/blog/BuildingNET11ProjectsUsingVisualStudio2005.aspx

The MSBuild Everett (MSBEE) environment was announced, and soon it will be a (reasonably) supported script, and we will all be able to build versions 1.1 and 2.0 of .NET on Visual Studio 2005.

Also read this post about this issue:

http://blogs.msdn.com/clichten/archive/2005/11/08/490541.aspx

And:

MSBuild Extras - Toolkit for .NET 1.1 "MSBee" is an add-on to MSBuild that allows developers to create managed applications using Visual Studio 2005 projects and is the goal of .NET 1.1.

Answer 3

Mainstream support for VS2003 ends this October:

http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/search/?sort=PN&alpha=Visual+Studio

Extended support (whatever that means) is still available for some time.

Answer 4

In addition to the Espo link, check out MSBee , a set of enhancements for MSBuild for better support for the .NET Framework 1.1.

It seems you can even use .NET 1.1 with Visual Studio 2008 , so you shouldn't have a problem.

However, I would be interested to know why you decided to refuse the update.

Answer 5

Supported: Yes Available: Not through regular channels. You can still find the box on Amazon or elsewhere.

Answer 6

.NET 1.1 code can be imported into VS 2005 because .NET 2.0 is backward compatible with .NET 1.1.

You may have to convert the project, but it should still work in VS 2005.

Answer 7

I find vs2003 losing support in October