is it possible to use team explorer for version control without buying license for visual studio?

I downloaded the team explorer 2005 and when I tried to open the application from source control , I am getting the error .csproj applicaion type is not instal开发者_Python百科led.

How can I resolve this ?

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In order to open a .csproj you will need to install a version of Visual Studio that supports .csproj`s. There are free versions, called express SKU's, of Visual Studio that should help you out here. It, and the other express SKU's, are available at the following link

• http://www.microsoft.com/express/Windows/

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You need a CAL (Client Access License) to run just team explorer and access the TFS functionality to check in and check out and other things. If you're wanting to open the projects and make changes you'll need a license for visual studio. There are many different options there. I don't believe you can use the free one in your situation. Using VS professional you'll still need to get the CAL as well to access TFS but if you get one of the team editions of VS you will have the TFS CAL included.

That's how I understand the licensing for TFS/VS but I'm not an expert and it would probably be best to ask your supplier or microsoft about licensing.

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I believe Team Explorer allows one to interface with TFS which includes accessing project documentation, filing bugs, and possibly retrieving source code. However, I believe you need Visual Studio to open up project/solution files (i.e. a developer task).

This might be different with Visual Studio 2010 but that's the sales pitch we heard regarding 2008.

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In summary, although you need the specific module that loads C# projects. When you installed Team Explorer, although you have the basic IDE, that module is not loaded (is similar to when you install SQL Server client - you have the Visual Studio IDE, but the only module loaded is the SQL Server management Studio). As some of the other guys suggested, try to install Visual Studio C# Express (you can find more information here - http://www.microsoft.com/express/Windows/ - click on Microsoft® Visual C#® 2008 Express Edition). Notice that later on if you want to use web application, you will need to install the web edition and so forth.

When you install Visual Studio Professional (or Team Suite) most of those modules are installed by default.

I hope this info helps.