LINQPad vs Visual Studio

Need advice about which tool to choose?Ask the StackShare community!

LINQPad

44
33
+ 1
0
Visual Studio

47.1K
36.6K
+ 1
1.1K
Add tool

LINQPad vs Visual Studio: What are the differences?

Introduction

LINQPad and Visual Studio are both popular development tools used by programmers. While they have some similarities, there are key differences between the two that make them unique in their own ways.

  1. LINQPad: LINQPad is a standalone program that allows developers to write and execute LINQ queries. It provides a lightweight and fast way to experiment, test, and debug LINQ queries without the need for a full-fledged development environment like Visual Studio.

  2. Visual Studio: Visual Studio, on the other hand, is a comprehensive integrated development environment (IDE) that offers a wide range of tools and features for building various types of applications. It provides a complete set of development functionalities, including code editing, debugging, version control, and project management.

  3. User Interface: LINQPad has a minimalistic and intuitive user interface that is specifically designed for writing and executing LINQ queries. It has a clean and simple layout with easy-to-use controls, making it a lightweight and efficient tool for query development. Visual Studio, on the other hand, has a more complex and feature-rich user interface, with numerous windows, toolbars, and tabs, providing a comprehensive development environment for various types of projects.

  4. Project Types: Visual Studio supports a wide range of project types, including desktop applications, web applications, mobile apps, and cloud-based services. It provides project templates and tools specific to each type of application, making it easier to build and deploy different types of projects. LINQPad, on the other hand, is primarily focused on LINQ query development and testing and does not provide support for building complete applications.

  5. Debugging Capabilities: Visual Studio offers advanced debugging capabilities, allowing developers to set breakpoints, step through code, inspect variables, and analyze program flow. It provides a comprehensive debugging experience, making it easier to find and fix issues in the code. LINQPad, on the other hand, has limited debugging capabilities and is primarily used for quick query testing and analysis.

  6. Performance Optimization: Visual Studio provides various tools and features for analyzing code performance, identifying bottlenecks, and optimizing application performance. It offers profiling tools, performance diagnostics, and code analysis features that can help improve the speed and efficiency of the application. LINQPad does not have the same level of performance optimization tools as Visual Studio.

In summary, while both LINQPad and Visual Studio are development tools, they have significant differences in terms of their purpose, user interface, project support, debugging capabilities, and performance optimization tools. LINQPad is a lightweight and efficient tool specifically designed for LINQ query development and testing, while Visual Studio is a comprehensive IDE that supports a wide range of project types and offers advanced development and debugging functionalities.

Advice on LINQPad and Visual Studio

The problem I have is whether to choose Android Studio or Visual Studio? I have to develop a simple app for a school project that can work on both iPhone and Android.

The most important factors for me are Android and iOS compatibility. Although note that i would like to become a Software Engineer when i finish my course. (I'd like to work for Apple, just saying!)

After that id like easy integration for Google Ads and such if i do develop another app that people actually use to support development. (I'd also like to stick with one easy programming language that's compatible with a wide variety of platforms since i'm a beginner and have only ever used Pascal)

See more
Replies (1)
Recommends
on
FlutterFlutter

First of all - Android Studio and Visual Studio are IDE's. Tools to create code. What you are asking is programming framework. I assume that when you are talking about Android Studio you mean Native Android Development and by Visual Studio you mean Xamarin.

If you want to create crossplatform app then Native Android Development is NOT a way to go. Xamarin might work for you, BUT - you'd rather recommend you to go with Flutter. It's much more performant than Xamarin, programming model is friendlier for developer and technology seems just more refined. It's also officially supported by google, so no worries about support.

See more
Get Advice from developers at your company using StackShare Enterprise. Sign up for StackShare Enterprise.
Learn More
Pros of LINQPad
Pros of Visual Studio
    Be the first to leave a pro
    • 305
      Intellisense, ui
    • 244
      Complete ide and debugger
    • 165
      Plug-ins
    • 104
      Integrated
    • 93
      Documentation
    • 37
      Fast
    • 35
      Node tools for visual studio (ntvs)
    • 33
      Free Community edition
    • 24
      Simple
    • 17
      Bug free
    • 8
      Made by Microsoft
    • 6
      Full free community version
    • 5
      JetBrains plugins (ReSharper etc.) work sufficiently OK
    • 3
      Productivity Power Tools
    • 2
      Vim mode
    • 2
      VIM integration
    • 1
      I develop UWP apps and Intellisense is super useful
    • 1
      Cross platform development
    • 1
      The Power and Easiness to Do anything in any.. language
    • 1
      Available for Mac and Windows

    Sign up to add or upvote prosMake informed product decisions

    Cons of LINQPad
    Cons of Visual Studio
      Be the first to leave a con
      • 15
        Bulky
      • 14
        Made by Microsoft
      • 5
        Sometimes you need to restart to finish an update
      • 3
        Too much size for disk
      • 3
        Only avalible on Windows

      Sign up to add or upvote consMake informed product decisions

      What is LINQPad?

      It is used to interactively query SQL databases using LINQ, as well as interactively writing C# code without the need for an IDE. It supports all the LINQ APIs in the .NET Framework, including LINQ to XML, PLINQ, LINQ to SQL and Entity Framework.

      What is Visual Studio?

      Visual Studio is a suite of component-based software development tools and other technologies for building powerful, high-performance applications.

      Need advice about which tool to choose?Ask the StackShare community!

      What companies use LINQPad?
      What companies use Visual Studio?
      See which teams inside your own company are using LINQPad or Visual Studio.
      Sign up for StackShare EnterpriseLearn More

      Sign up to get full access to all the companiesMake informed product decisions

      What tools integrate with LINQPad?
      What tools integrate with Visual Studio?

      Sign up to get full access to all the tool integrationsMake informed product decisions

      Blog Posts

      What are some alternatives to LINQPad and Visual Studio?
      Visual Studio Code
      Build and debug modern web and cloud applications. Code is free and available on your favorite platform - Linux, Mac OSX, and Windows.
      React Storybook
      You just load your UI components into the React Storybook and start developing them. This functionality allows you to develop UI components rapidly without worrying about the app. It will improve your team’s collaboration and feedback loop.
      PrimeNg
      It has a rich collection of components that would satisfy most of the UI requirements of your application like datatable, dropdown, multiselect, notification messages, accordion, breadcrumbs and other input components. So there would be no need of adding different libraries for different UI requirements.
      Laravel Nova
      It is a beautifully designed administration panel for Laravel. Carefully crafted by the creators of Laravel to make you the most productive developer. It provides a full CRUD interface for your Eloquent models. Every type of Eloquent relationship is fully supported.
      Laravel Voyager
      It is a Laravel Admin Package that includes BREAD(CRUD) operations, a media manager, menu builder, and much more.It is a Feature packed and versatile Laravel control panel. It provides an elegant UI for controlling various features across a Laravel web application.
      See all alternatives