What is the difference between “StyleCop” vs. “VS2010 Code Analysis” vs. “FxCop”?

•VS2010 Code analysis includes FxCop + more
•VS2010 Code analysis and FxCop analyze assemblies
•StyleCop is not part of the VS2010 Code analysis suite and checks C# coding style
•StyleCop analyses source code

http://blog.gfader.com/2010/08/what-is-difference-between-vs-code.html

Visual Studio Code Analysis:
This code analysis tool is built into Visual Studio. It is performed as an after-build step.
The description MSDN gives is this:
[The] code analysis for managed code tool analyzes managed assemblies and reports information about the assemblies, such as violations of the programming and design rules set forth in the Microsoft .NET Framework Design Guidelines.
Visual Studio Code Analysis is very similar to FxCop. In fact, the two share some common assemblies.Code Analysis is not built into all versions of Visual Studio.

FxCop:
FxCop is an application that analyzes managed code assemblies (code that targets the .NET Framework common language runtime) and reports information about the assemblies, such as possible design, localization, performance, and security improvements. Many of the issues concern violations of the programming and design rules set forth in the Design Guidelines for Class Library Developers, which are the Microsoft guidelines for writing robust and easily maintainable code by using the .NET Framework.
FxCop is very similar to Visual Studio Code Analysis. FxCop can be run as either a Windows application or at the command line.

StyleCop:
StyleCop is similar to FxCop, but it provides a different function and is, in fact, complementary to either FxCop or Code Analysis. (Note that it only works on C# source files.) It is mostly concerned with coding style and formatting. As such, it is run against source files, not assemblies like the other two analysis tools.

StyleCop is a tool for doing coding style checking to verify that source code is formatted the way you want and follows the style guidelines for conventions. Keep in mind that it is not a Microsoft product.  It is not even a Team System Power Tool.  It is a tool developed by a very passionate developer at Microsoft (on evenings and weekends).
The latest version of StyleCop can be downloaded from http://code.msdn.microsoft.com/sourceanalysis/Release/ProjectReleases.aspx?ReleaseId=1425

StyleCop for ReSharper has now merged with StyleCop – we’re in the process of migrating content over to the new StyleCop site – please download / report bugs / ask questions there: See http://stylecop.codeplex.com

Visual Studio Shortcut Keys:

http://www.itscodingtime.com/post/Visual-Studio-2010-Keyboard-Mouse-Shortcuts.aspx

Developer Tools

http://www.itscodingtime.com/post/My-Developers-Toolbox.aspx

About Rakesh Ranjan

I have 7+ years of software development experience. I have worked with government and non-government organizations. I have done BCA & MCA. I am Microsoft Certified Profession (MCP) in ASP.NET technology and Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist in Microsoft Office SharePoint Services (MOSS) technology. I am very enthusiastic to learn the new technology and providing trainings.
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