MrDave's (David Yack) WebLog

Thanks Dave for reminding to vote on this issue! I don't use blank solutions very often, but every 2-3 months I have cause to use it for either fixing a corrupt solution or large solution creation. It boggles my mind that PMs in MS can't envision its use!

This strikes me as more dumbing-down of the product... Maybe you should add the suggestion to the feedback that this is one of those features that should be different between the Express and Pro/Ent/Arch versions of VS. I.e., in Express it can be removed so the (poor uniwitting) beginners won't get confused, but have it included in the higher-functional versions of VS (for those of us that aren't scared by the big bad feature). That would satisfy both sides of the argument.

The way to sell it to the PMs is by saying "You CAN have it both ways!!" and "Besides, it gives you yet another row in the 'Product Features' matrix to brag about the distinction between 'lowly' Express and all the 'better' versions of VS."

In short, PMs in MS should repeat the mantra: "If it's NOT for beginners, then remove it ONLY from Express!"

You got my vote, buddy! I almost always start with a "Blank Solution." Just a habit, I guess, but I like it the way it is.

I can't understand why this feature is missing. I don't see any advance or complexity behind it.

I use this feature a lot when I want to do refactoring to existing solution. Especially when I need to change project/s name.

Um, am I missing something here? I see it in beta 1, has it been removed in later builds? In beta 1 it's a little buried, but it's still there, File/New Project/Other Project Types/Visual Studio Solutions/Blank Solution. As far as I remember it works just fine.

Solutions are an organisational tool. Sometimes you want to organise existing projects, so you need a blank solution.

We should definitely keep this.

Randy Ridge is correct there is a new project template burried under New Project / Other Project Types / Visual Studio Templates / Blank Solution

My guess is the PM didn't realize that or they added it back, and while glad to have it somewhere that seems like kind of a hack place to put it considering a solution contains projects and a project does not contain solutions. I would enver expect to find creating a "blank" solution under the project section, let along 3 layers deep.

PingBack from http://www.dwightgunningcom.textdriven.com/stuntshow/?p=192

Just as a side note in case no one has figured it out.

Tools->Options->Projects and Solutions

Click on the checkbox "Always show solution" on the right

I banged my head up against a wall with this for about 45 minutes thinking that I was going nutso!

Thanks!

Randy Ridge & Nick Ueda thanks for your comments.

Both are very helpful and save me some time.

I posted the text of a blank solution file on my web site.  You can find it here: splatteredbits.com/.../vs2005-blank-solution

Aaron,

Thanks for the blank solution! I use this feature all the time, can't figure out why MS is so disconnected from developers to have removed it.

you CAN create a blank solution - follow this link:

msdn2.microsoft.com/.../zfzh36t7(VS.80).aspx

I was looking forever as well.  I almost became discouraged when...

Project Types -> Other Project Types -> Visual Studio Solutions -> Blank Solution

Whats wrong with:

File -> New -> Solution

Having to select File -> New -> Project is not very intuitive.

Regards Wilhelm

Nick,

You saved me a lot of  time. Earlier i am confused as when I add a C# project to a blank solution, the solution icon disappers and i am unable to add an existing project to the new solution. With your tips, I got my solution back.

Sometimes I like to create a blank solution. Thanks Randy Ridge for remainding us where it is!

Hi Aaron,

I wasted 3 hours on created blank solution in c#2008 .

Thank for the solution text.

Thanks mate for the quick solution... I reall

Thanks for a tip! Needed blank solution to migrate existing code... Can't figure out why it has to be THAT complicated

Thanks All, its really helped me,

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