Visual Studio 2012 Must Have Features

If you have started using Visual Studio 2012, there are several new features that I consider "MUST HAVE" as part of every developer's toolbelt:

1. Code Coverage
2. Unit Test Mocking using Microsoft Fakes
3. Code Metrics
4. PowerPoint Storyboarding
5. Code Clone
6. UML Modeling using Activity, Sequence, Class, Component diagrams etc.
7. Code Review
8. Request Feedback from Customers
9. UI Testing
10. Web Performance Testing
11. Load Testing
12. Test Case Management

However, if you look at the comparison chart for Visual Studio 2012 editions here: http://www.microsoft.com/visualstudio/11/en-us/products/compare

You will discover that many of these features are reserved exclusively for Premium Edition users and in many cases Ultimate Edition users.

Fortunately, if you are a Microsoft partner, in all likelihood you already have access to the Premium Edition of Visual Studio 2012.  However, if you were hoping for the Ultimate Edition instead, those licenses are largely reserved for the Enteprise Microsoft Partners/Vendors or Partners that have achieved the Team Foundation Server competency.  If you do not fall into one of those categories, unfortunately, you may have to fork out the necessary cash to upgrade to the Ultimate Edition.

Ideally, Microsoft would offer all features/functionality in the Premium edition and reserve exclusive "Extension Packs" for the Ultimate Edition so that all Microsoft partners can reap the development benefits normally associated with Ultimate Edition.

If you work at a company that only has access to Visual Studio 2010/2012 Professional Edition, I feel your pain, I really do....