Visual Studio Express Editions are a new line of Microsoft development Tools. This line of products is an expansion of the Microsoft Visual Studio and SQL Server products. It is a lightweight, yet powerful, easy to use and learn tools for beginners, students, and hobbyist users. Express products are: * Visual Web Developer 2005 Express Edition * Visual Basic 2005 Express Edition * Visual C# 2005 Express Edition * Visual C++ 2005 Express Edition * Visual J# 2005 Express Edition * SQL Server 2005 Express Edition With Express Editions you will be able to learn how to program using a lightweight streamlined environment with built-in tutorial contents, and evaluate the .NET framework for Windows and Web development. So, you can think of it as a step towards using the full professional editions. In this tutorial we will try to give you a general idea about what the Express Editions can do, how they differ from the rest of Visual Studio and SQL Server Editions, how to obtain them and for what price, compatibility, installation, and more.

Official web page for product Visual Studio Express Edition