Microsoft Visual Studio Express

Visual Studio Express (VSE) is a freeware version of Microsoft's Visual Studio development environment toolset. VSE is scaled-down but still reasonably functional. Microsoft describes the VSE toolset as "free, lightweight, easy-to-use and easy-to-learn tools for the hobbyist, novice, and student developer."
Microsoft breaks its Visual Studio Express offerings into four overlapping categories, each of which includes its own specific components:
  • Windows Development: Includes Visual Basic 2008 Express Edition, Visual C# 2008 Express Edition, and Visual C++ 2008 Express Edition, a Beginner Developer Learning Center, a Facebook Development Toolkit and a Coding4Fun Developer Pack 2008.
  • Web Development: Includes Visual Web Developer 2008 Express Edition, a Beginner Developer Learning Center and access to the ASP.NET community, as well as a Personal Web Site Starter Kit and the Facebook Development Toolkit.
  • Game Development: Includes Visual Basic 2008 Express Edition, Visual C# 2008 Express Edition, and Visual C++ 2008 Express Edition, the Beginning Game Development series, and some example games (Space Blitz, Rocket Commander).
  • Hardware Development: Includes descriptions of projects for A Disco Dance Floor, various hardware projects that include Xbox 360, a digital camera, a remote control car, Visual Studio Express, and the Microsoft Robotics Studio, along with home automation projects. The three primary programming languages: Visual Basic 2008 Express Edition, Visual C# 2008 Express Edition, and Visual C++ 2008 Express Edition are featured here as well.
You can download VSE on this site: http://www.microsoft.com/express/

Source: www.whatis.com