Question

I’m currently developing a web app on Django/Python, and I consider moving to ASP.NET MVC. I downloaded the Visual Web Developer Express edition, read NerdDinner, and I’m ready to go. I will probably keep working on MySQL.

One of the reasons I chose Django+MySQL in the first place was that it was free of charge. I’m bootstrapping a business and can’t afford to pay for expensive software, even for deployment (storage and bandwidth are the exception).

My question is: can I develop on the express edition and get my product to production without having to pay to Microsoft? This is both a legal question and a practicality question (Assume I’ll use open source version control, build server, etc).

I’m not experienced in Microsoft’s different licenses, I wondered if anyone has any experience in driving a product to the web based solely on the express editions (I know you guys are not lawyers, but some of you are probably working at companies paying lawyers to help with such decisions…)

Answer 1

You’ve asked two questions here, so let’s take a look at both.

From a legal standpoint the answer is pretty straightforward: yes, Visual Web Developer Express is provided free of charge and there is no limitation regarding using it commercially.

Your second question has to do with the practicality of using Express editions commercially. The short answer is: yes. The longer version of the answer sounds a little more like “yes, but…”.

Although Visual Studio Express editions are fantastic — especially when you consider their price — you should be aware that they do lack functionality. To me, the most important things Express editions lack are —

• Extension support. There’s a healthy Visual Studio add-in ecosystem out there that you’ll be locked out of. Not a fatal flaw, for sure. Just something to keep in mind.
• Ability to create setup projects. Again, not fatal. You can do it manually or using some external solution. Also, if you are developing something for use on one customer (or for yourself) this is a complete non-issue.
• Native 64-bit support. This is the one I can’t work around. If you need to work on 64-bit environments and use some 64-bits controls, you’re in a pickle.
• Support for test projects. If you are into test-driven development, this is a very cool feature you’ll miss on the Express editions.

Also, they have no class designer, some (small) limitations on debugging and most development tools you’ll find that work with Visual Studio won’t work with the Express editions.

All in all, you can definitely develop with VS Express. Compared to the tools you probably had for Django+Python, Visual Studio Express is a big leap forward anyway IMHO.

Also, you can always go with the Express edition for now and upgrade later if necessary.