Visual Studio 2008 (code-named Orcas) is scheduled to be officially launched on February 27, 2008 . It is focused on development of Windows Vista, 2007 Office system, and Web applications.

VS 2008 exciting features can be summarized as given below.

• LINQ (Language Integrated Query) new versions of C# and VB languages
• WPF(Windows Presentation Foundation) visual designer
• A new HTML/CSS editor influenced by Microsoft Expression Web
• Requires .NET Framework 3.5
• Default configures compiled assemblies to run on .NET Framework 3.5
• XAML based designer (codenamed Cider)
• Workflow designer
• LINQ to SQL designer
• XSLT debugger
• XSD designer
• JavaScript Intellisense support
• JavaScript Debugging support
• support for UAC manifests
• An enhanced set of UI widgets, both for WinForms and WPF
• J# will not be included

Hope this list is really exciting.