Discover the Power of DevExpress: A Comprehensive Guide for Software Developers

Are you seeking to gain full control over your applications? Do you want to build visually stunning apps on the .NET platform? Look no further than DevExpress – a powerful suite of controls, components, and tools. In this guide, we’ll explore how to add DevExpress to your Visual Studio 2017 project.

Step 1: Get Started with DevExpress

Your first step is to download the latest release of DevExpress. Head to devexpress.com and navigate to the Downloads section. You can select the version of DevExpress that is most relevant to your project, whether it be .NET Core, WPF, WinForms, ASP.NET, or JavaScript.

Once you have downloaded the installer, run it on your machine. The DevExpress installation wizard will guide you through the entire setup process. Be sure to take your time and select the components and frameworks that best meet your needs.

Step 2: Get into Visual Studio 2017

Now that you have installed DevExpress, the next step is to add it to Visual Studio 2017. Double-click on the Visual Studio 2017 icon on your desktop to open it. If you don’t already have Visual Studio 2017 installed on your machine, head to the official Microsoft website to download it.

Step 3: Customize Your Toolbox with DevExpress

Open the Toolbox by selecting View > Toolbox from the Visual Studio menu. You’ll find a list of controls that are now available to you. To get started with DevExpress, right-click on the Toolbox and select Choose Items. The Choose Toolbox Items dialog box will appear.

Click on the .NET Framework Components tab and then on the Browse button. Navigate to the DevExpress installation directory – you’ll find it located by default at:

C:\Program Files (x86)\DevExpress 20.2\Components\Bin\Framework

Select the DevExpress .dll files that correspond to the components you want to use. If you’re using the WinForms framework, you’ll need to choose the following:

DevExpress.XtraBars.v20.2.dll
DevExpress.Charts.v20.2.Core.dll
DevExpress.Data.v20.2.dll
DevExpress.XtraLayout.v20.2.dll
DevExpress.XtraCharts.v20.2.dll
DevExpress.XtraEditors.v20.2.dll
DevExpress.XtraGauges.v20.2.dll
DevExpress.XtraGrid.v20.2.dll
DevExpress.XtraPrinting.v20.2.dll
DevExpress.XtraTreeList.v20.2.dll

Click OK to close the Choose Toolbox Items dialog box. The DevExpress controls should now appear in your Toolbox.

Step 4: Add DevExpress Controls to Your Project

To add a DevExpress control to your project, simply drag the control from the Toolbox to the form designer. You can customize the control by adjusting its properties in the Properties window.

Step 5: Run Your Application

Finally, your application is ready to run! Press F5 or select Debug > Start Debugging from the Visual Studio menu. Check out the DevExpress controls you have added working in your application.

In conclusion, integrating DevExpress with Visual Studio 2017 is relatively straight-forward. By following this guide, you can easily add DevExpress controls to your toolbox and start creating feature-rich applications in no time. With the right tools and skills, you can wow your users with modern applications that offer exceptional user experiences.