What happened to refactoring???

I just downloaded VB.NET 2005 Express Beta 2 and I don't see refactoring anywhere. What happened to it That was one of the coolest features in Whidbey. I've been looking forward to it for months now. Now it's gone

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What happened to refactoring???

Anatoly Ponomarev - MSFT
You nailed it, rickalty.
GrahamJest
Actually, I think refactoring is a huge boast in terms of ease of use.

As for your comments about VB developers not knowing or caring what refactoring is, I'm quite honestly insulted.  FYI - I have a degree in computer science, have written in assembler, even had several articles/books published on programming and guess what I'm a VB developer. Whether you realize it or not, your comments express a certain bigotry against VB developers.  To be honest, we're tired of being treated as second-class citizens, and being told we don't understand how modern programming concepts and techniques just because we prefer a different type of syntax.

And before you try to back track and say that your comments are not directed at VB developers as a whole, just hobbyists, students, and novices, let me point out that C# Express is also targeted towards those same people:

<quote>
Visual C# 2005 Express Edition Beta 2 is a streamlined, easy-to-use development tool for hobbyists, students, and novices that makes Windows programming with C# fun and easy to learn.
</quote>

http://lab.msdn.microsoft.com/express/vcsharp/default.aspx

And guess what, C# Express has refactoring:

<quote>
Top 10 Cool Things about Visual C# 2005 Express Edition
...
Refactoring enables developers to automate many of the common tasks when restructuring code.
</quote>

http://lab.msdn.microsoft.com/express/vcsharp/top10/default.aspx

But don't pay any attention to me.  I'm just a VB developer.  What do I know.
Brandon Taylor
No I'm not backing out and yes that's exactly what I'm saying.

I think before you make accusations, you should do a little research.  I love VB and have been using it for quite a long time.  Most importantly though, I am a VB MVP.

The reason it works in C# Express is because it's already part of the IDE.  The VB team decided to spend more time in other areas of VB for 2005 and not Refactoring.  Personally, it's not something I agree with, but instead of settling with not having it at all, the VB team put forth the extra effort to work up a deal with Developer Express to have a Refactoring tool ready to go for free.

I don't think you should be looking at it that it "doesn't work in VB Express", instead look at it that "it works in VB 2005".  3 months ago there was going to be no refactoring at all in VB.  I'm excited that it's added and earlier was merely trying to explain why the extra time wasn't spent on VB Express from a business standpoint.
GregQuinn
Well, I'll admit I haven't tried Whidbey in almost 2 years but the last I heard, VB.NET was supposed to get refactoring. They didn't seem to go out of their way to announce that they had dropped the feature. If they did, I missed the announcement.
leshay
It's not gone, but for some reason it's a <a href="http://msdn.microsoft.com/vbasic/downloads/2005/tools/refactor/">separate download</a> now. But the demo of it looks really cool and worth it.

There are even longer demos of it <a href="http://weblogs.asp.net/cfranklin/archive/2005/04/21/403765.aspx">here</a>.
vanisathish
Sadly, Refactor doesn't work with the Express product.
Justintyme
<quote>But don't pay any attention to me. I'm just a VB developer. What do I know. </quote>

You know what refactoring is. 90% of Express' target audience doesn't (Including me, by the way)

Those who know what refactoring is are probably owners of a standard or above edition of VB, or use something like #Develop instead, and won't be fiddling with Express.

Richard
ksmithsba
It's separate because Microsoft didn't make it. It's a very cool product and free.
Jackply
Here's a really good article on refactoring:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp url=/library/en-us/dnvs05/html/VS05_refac.asp
Ralph Menzel
Take from <a href="http://lab.msdn.microsoft.com/express/vbasic/">here</a>:

<i><b>"Visual Basic 2005 Express Edition Beta 2 is a streamlined, easy-to-use development tool for hobbyists, students, and novices. The Express Edition makes Windows programming with Visual Basic fun and easy to learn. It’s also the perfect way for experienced Visual Basic 6.0 developers to try out new features."</b></i>

I don't know too many of the people being targeted that would really care that much about refactoring, let alone even know what it is.
Mu0n
It was announced in the blogging community and talked about quite a bit. I don't remember the exact date, but Paul Vick talked about it probably 6 months ago.
What happened to refactoring???

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