A quick overview of C# 10.0 desktop application templates
One of the areas where Microsoft has made big changes in C# 10.0 is in the ability to run applications just about anywhere given the proper pre-requisites. Consequently, it’s important for a developer to know which templates are available and which platforms they support.
The following table makes it easier for you to find a particular template for desktop development. Note that this list assumes that you’re working with C# and not some of the other languages that Visual Studio 2022 supports.
| Project Type | Supported Environments | Description |
| Blank App (Universal Windows) | Windows, Xbox, UWP, Desktop | Allows creation of applications using the new Universal Windows Platform (UWP) approach. The template doesn’t provide any underlying application files. |
| Empty Project (.NET Framework) | Windows, Desktop | Allows creation of Windows Forms applications. The template doesn’t provide any underlying application files. Note that this template uses older versions of the .NET Framework. |
| NUnit Test Project | Linux, macOS, Windows, Desktop, Web | Provides the means to test your applications no matter where they might reside. The same testing process works on both the Web and on the Desktop. |
| Shared Project | Windows, Desktop | Allows the creation of code that spans multiple projects. The goal is to allow building of the code differently based on the project in which it resides. You can learn more about this template type at https://docs.microsoft.com/visualstudio/extensibility/migration/update-visual-studio-extension. |
| Windows Application Packaging Project | Windows, UWP, Desktop | Creates an application package that is contained in a .msix file. The goal of this project is to create an application you can distribute through the Microsoft Store. |
| Windows Forms App | Windows, Desktop | Creates a traditional Windows Forms application for use in the desktop environment. This template lets you use the newer .NET Framework 5.0 and above features. |
| Windows Forms App (.NET Framework) | Windows, Desktop | Creates a traditional Windows Forms application for use in the desktop environment. Note that this project uses older versions of the .NET Framework. |
| Windows Forms Class Library | Windows, Desktop, Library | Allows development of reusable code modules for Windows Forms applications. |
| Windows Forms Control Library | Windows, Desktop, Library | Makes it possible to create custom or user controls for use in Windows Forms applications. This template lets you use the newer .NET Framework 5.0 and above features. |
| Windows Forms Control Library (.NET Framework) | Windows, Desktop, Library | Makes it possible to create custom or user controls for use in Windows Forms applications. Note that this template uses older versions of the .NET Framework. |
| Windows Service (.NET Framework) | Windows, Desktop, Service | Provides the means for creating an application that runs in the background as a service. Service setups are accessed through the Services MMC, rather than directly through a user interface. Note that this template uses older versions of the .NET Framework. |
| WPF App (.NET Framework) | Windows, Desktop | Uses the newer Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) approach to creating applications. Note that this template uses older versions of the .NET Framework. |
| WPF Application | Windows, Desktop | Uses the newer Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) approach to creating applications. This template lets you use the newer .NET Framework 5.0 and above features. |
| WPF Browser App (.NET Framework) | Windows, Desktop | Allows creation of a browser-like application for the desktop using the WPF approach. Note that this template uses older versions of the .NET Framework. |
| WPF Class Library | Windows, Desktop, Library | Allows development of reusable code modules for WPF applications. |
| WPF Custom Control Library | Widows, Desktop, Library | Makes it possible to create custom controls for use in a WPF application. This template lets you use the newer .NET Framework 5.0 and above features. |
| WPF Custom Control Library (.NET Framework) | Windows, Desktop, Library | Makes it possible to create custom controls for use in a WPF application. Note that this template uses older versions of the .NET Framework. |
| WPF User Control Library | Windows, Desktop, Library | Makes it possible to create user controls for use in a WPF application. This template lets you use the newer .NET Framework 5.0 and above features. |
| WPF User Control Library (.NET Framework) | Windows, Desktop, Library | Makes it possible to create user controls for use in a WPF application. Note that this template uses older versions of the .NET Framework. |
C# 10.0 keyword listing
All programming languages rely on keywords — words that are reserved and that you can’t use for your personal needs. Knowing the keywords makes it possible for you to choose other words for your code. For example, you couldn’t create a variable named “while” because it’s a C# keyword. The following table contains the C# keywords.
| abstract | as | base | bool | break |
| Byte | case | catch | char | checked |
| class | const | continue | decimal | default |
| delegate | do | double | else | enum |
| event | explicit | extern | false | finally |
| fixed | float | for | foreach | goto |
| if | implicit | in | int | interface |
| internal | is | lock | long | namespace |
| new | null | object | operator | out |
| override | params | private | protected | public |
| readonly | ref | return | sbyte | sealed |
| short | sizeof | stackalloc | static | string |
| struct | switch | this | throw | true |
| try | typeof | uint | ulong | unchecked |
| unsafe | ushort | using | virtual | void |
| volatile | while |
Common Visual Studio 2022 keyboard shortcuts
Touch typists find that using keyboard shortcuts makes them even faster than normal. Of course, you need to know the keyboard shortcuts before you can use them. The following table contains the keyboard shortcuts used most often in Visual Studio 2022. You can find a complete list of keyboard shortcuts at https://docs.microsoft.com/visualstudio/ide/default-keyboard-shortcuts-in-visual-studio.
| Shortcut | Purpose |
| Alt+Enter | Show the properties panel for a selected object |
| Alt+Shift+A | Add an existing item to the project |
| Ctrl+Alt+L | Show Solution Explorer |
| Ctrl+Alt+P | Attach the debugger to a process |
| Ctrl+B, Ctrl+T | Toggle code bookmark |
| Ctrl+F | Display the Find dialog |
| Ctrl+F5 | Start a project without debugging |
| Ctrl+H | Display the Replace dialog |
| Ctrl+K, Ctrl+C | Comment a selected block of code |
| Ctrl+K, Ctrl+U | Un-comment a selected block of code |
| Ctrl+M, Ctrl+M | Expand or collapse a selected code fragment (toggle) |
| Ctrl+M, Ctrl+O | Collapse all code to definitions |
| Ctrl+M, Ctrl+P | Expand all definitions to code |
| Ctrl+N | Add a new file |
| Ctrl+S | Save file |
| Ctrl+Shift+A | Add a new item to the project |
| Ctrl+Shift+B | Build solution |
| Ctrl+Shift+N | Close the current project and start a new project |
| Ctrl+Shift+O | Close the current project and open an existing project |
| Ctrl+Shift+F10 | During debugging, set execution to the line holding the cursor |
| Ctrl+Shift+Tab | Scroll backwards through open windows |
| Ctrl+Tab | Scroll forward through open windows |
| Ctrl+Y | Redo typing |
| Ctrl+Z | Undo typing |
| F5 | Start a project in debug mode |
| F6 | Build solution |
| F7 | Show the code window |
| F9 | During debugging, toggle breakpoint on the line holding the cursor |
| F12 | In the code editor, jump to the selected object’s definition |
| Shift+Alt+C | Add a new class to the project |
| Shift+F6 | Build project |
| Shift+F7 | Show the designer window |