Compare Visual Assist to Microsoft Visual Studio

Improve every Microsoft IDE you have with the multitude of features that comprise Visual Assist. Most features in Visual Assist are additions to Microsoft Visual Studio 2019, 2017 and 2015; and all features are improvements or additions to all IDEs.

Available
Added or improved with Visual Assist
* Any version supported
Version of Visual Studio
Feature 2019 2017 2015 Any Version*
with Visual Assist
Visual Assist
Implementation
Navigation
Find by Context        
Find References searches faster; clones results
Find Symbol in Solution   supports feature in large solutions
GoTo Implementation from symbol jumps from files outside projects
GoTo Implementation from #include     opens a header
GoTo Implementation from comment       jumps from symbols mentioned in comments
GoTo Member       displays members relative to the current symbol, not all members in a solution
GoTo Related       goes to base methods, base classes, derived classes
Highlight Current Line avoids obscuring code with thin frame
List Methods in File        
Move Scope       moves to next method in file
Navigate Back and Forward ignores superfluous waypoints
Open Corresponding File switches to files outside project; switches from more places
Open File in Solution   searches using filters, negative filters, logical-or matching, or path
Refactoring
Change Signature   changes implementation and call sites
Convert Between Pointer and Instance        
Encapsulate Field        
Extract Method makes available in older IDEs
Introduce Variable        
Move Implementation to Header File    
Move Implementation to Source File    
Move Method Implementations to Source File       moves in bulk
Move Selection to New File       auto-includes headers
Rename renames faster; swaps type
Rename Files       updates project files
Code Generation
Add Forward Declaration        
Add Member        
Add Missing Case Statements        
Add Similar Member        
Add Using Directive makes available in older IDEs
Add #include      
Add/Remove Braces        
Create Declaration creates from an implementation
Create File       updates project files also
Create from Usage        
Create Implementation creates from a declaration
Create Method Implementations       creates in bulk
Document Method        
Implement Interface / Virtual Methods       implements in bulk
Feature 2019 2017 2015 Any Version*
with Visual Assist
Visual Assist
Implementation
Coding Assistance
Acronyms       allows typing of “gmv” in lieu of “getMyVar”
Auto-Extend Multi-Line Comments        
Enhanced Listboxes colors; lists non-inherited first; displays locals in bold
Format After Paste        
Insert () and Closing } ) ] ' " makes available in older IDEs
Insert _ After m and Shift        
Multiple Clipboards makes available in a drop-down, not clipboard ring
Reset Editor Zoom        
Shorthand       allows typing of “getvar” in lieu of “getMyVar”
Smart Select       extends and shrinks selections by logical increments
Smart Suggestions       accepts completion based on context
Sort Selected Lines        
Suggestion Lists       accepts completion as you type
Surround Selection       wraps code with //, /*, (, {
Surround With       wraps code with custom text, e.g. #ifdef DEBUG
Code Understanding
Column Indicator        
Enhanced Syntax Coloring colors classes, variables, macros, methods
Local Symbols in Bold        
Highlight Find Results retains highlights when editing
Highlight Matching Words       highlights in comments and strings
Highlight References to Symbol Under Cursor differentiates read from write references
Parameter Info improves accuracy and frquency
Print in Color        
Quick Info gets info also for constructs
System Symbols in Italics       accentuates 3rd-party references not overridden
Feature 2019 2017 2015 Any Version*
with Visual Assist
Visual Assist
Implementation
Code Correction
Convert Dot to ->    
Highlight Files in Output Window       accentuates warnings and errors for the current project
Highlight Matching {} and () highlights when in scope, not only when on a token
Highlight Mismatching {} and () highlights using color, not squiggle
Repair Case       allows typing of “getmyvar” in lieu of “getMyVar”
Underline Spelling Errors       checks comments and strings
Underline Unknown Symbols makes available in older IDEs
Code Inspection
Code Inspection checks code quality during edit, which is also the case for 2019 without Visual Assist
Quick Fixes   makes fixes available during edit, which is also the case for 2019 without Visual Assist
Code Snippets
VA Snippets expands functionality; includes custom editor
Debug Assistance
Address Resolver       deciphers text-only call stacks
Bind Breakpoints to Current Thread       automatically continues background threads
PDB Explorer       finds symbols in EXEs and DLLs
Skip All Breakpoints       skips breakpoints without disabling them
VA Memory View       debugs crash dumps containing corrupted call stacks
VA Step Filter       automatically steps over trusted methods in argument lists
Tool Windows
VA Hashtags       defines bookmarks and tasks, e.g. #TODO, #BUG
VA Outline       allows drag-and-drop to reorder current file
VA View       allows access to popular tools in one window
Source Links
Source Links       connects comments to external applications such as FogBugz, Github, and Jira
Open Hyperlinks in External Browser   opens commented URLs in default browser