Can I use Visual Studio instead of Arduino IDE?

Question

I think that Visual Studio is a great product! I find the Arduino IDE is limited in its features. For example the Arduino IDE does not have:

• Code prediction
• Error highlighting
• Previews of #define values
• Peek at code definition
• Jump to code definition
• and many more...

Since the Arduino ino & pde file types are basically C++, Can I use the Visual Studio IDE instead of Arduino IDE?

To be considered as a replacement, Visual Studio must be able to:

• Save & open ino & pde files.
• Compile my code.
• Download my code.
• Use existing/custom libraries from the Arduino IDE.
• Detect and display an Arduino project.

I would consider these features as a bonus:

• Arduino board selection.
• Debugging
  • Variable watch window
  • Breakpoints
  • Step through code
• Simulation
• Open the Arduino Examples
• Automatic board detection
• Serial Monitor

Answer 1

I only use Visual Studio for Arduino programming. Arduino Plugin for Visual Studio

Answer 2

Atmel Studio 7 which is built with Visual Studio. Google "Atmel Studio 7" or click here. It has everything you want and it's released by the company that makes the atmega328 your Arduino is built on.

Answer 3

Note, this answer is not technically for the full edition of Visual Studio, rather Visual Studio Code.

Microsoft has released an Arduino extension for VS Code that can do most (all?) of the required items in the OP's list.

Added this answer as a free alternative to the accepted answer.

Answer 4

It's not exactly what you are asking, but maybe you would be willing to consider a solution based on Eclipse?

Eclipse has the advantage of being cross platform, so you can have the same experience no matter what your OS might be.

Although, for the sake of completeness, almost all you mentioned can be done even with vim, if adequately configured. But I wouldn't recommend it as first choice, if you have never used it before.