#294 – Intellisense Is Also Available in the XAML Editor

In Visual Studio, Intellisense works in not only the code editor, but also the XAML editor.  As you being typing an element name, for example, Intellisense will display a window listing possible elements.

If you press TAB while an element is highlighted, Intellisense will insert the entire element name into the XAML.

As you continue typing, Intellisense will display a list of possible attributes that are appropriate for the current element.

Again, you can press TAB to insert the complete attribute name.  Intellisense will also add an equals (=) sign and a pair of quotation (“) marks.

Intellisense is also available when entering binding expressions.

#292 – Intellisense Includes Information About a Method’s Parameters

Intellisense will display not only a list of methods that match what you’ve already typed, but will also show you information about the method’s parameters.

Assume that you begin entering the name of a method in the Dog class.  Intellisense shows you information about the  method.

If you now press the Tab key, Visual Studio will fill in the complete method name.

If you now enter an opening parenthesis, Intellisense will list the name of the Bark method again, with the first parameter in bold and a description of the first parameter.  (The method and parameter information will only be displayed if the class has defined the appropriate XML Documentation elements).

At this point, you can enter a value for the first parameter and then enter a comma.  Intellisense displays information about the second parameter.

#291 – Intellisense Lists Available Methods and Properties

When you type a period (.) after a variable that is a reference-typed variable, Intellisense in Visual Studio will display a list of relevant class members.

In the example below, the variable d is an instance of the Dog class.  When you enter a period (.) after the variable name, Intellisense displays a list of the members of the Dog class.  This includes both methods and properties.

You can use the arrow keys to select a specific class member.  As each class member is highlighted, information about the method or property is display to the right.

#290 – Using Intellisense in Visual Studio

Intellisense in Visual Studio is a feature that provides a list of suggested code elements that you might want to enter next, based on what you’ve already typed.

As you start typing, Intellisense will suggest  both language elements and types that match what you’ve already entered.

In the example below, I’ve entered the letter ‘w’ and Intellisense suggests some possible elements that begin with ‘w’ that I might want to enter.

If I’m actually entering a while statement, I can use the down arrow key to highlight while in the list and then press TAB.  Intellisense fills in the rest of the while keyword for me.

If I press TAB a second time, Visual Studio will actually generate a code snippet that is a template for the entire while statement.

Also notice that when Intellisense suggests a class name, it provides general information about the class.