Introduction

Visual C# Express is an IDE used for compiling code. IDE stands for Integrated Development Environment. In simpler terms, Visual C# Express is a program you use to load in XNA and TorqueX projects for editing.

Much like the way you use notepad or MS Word to write documents, you will use Visual C# Express to edit code and maintain projects. More than highlighting syntax and editing, the compiler will convert your code, assets, and TorqueX into an XBox 360 friendly format, allowing for easy deployment.

Downloading

To obtain your compiler, start by going to the Visual C# Download Page. You have the option of downloading the entire Visual Studio Express package as a DVD image, or downloading Visual C# only. For this tutorial, we will download Visual C# Express by itself (shown below). Click on the proper link to download the installer.

Installation

Once your download is complete, double click the installer to get started. Depending on your security settings, you might be notified of a security warning.

Agree to run the installer and wait while the components are loaded.

You will be greeted by the Microsoft Visual C# 2008 Express welcome screen. Take time to read the welcome message, then click Next >

On the next screen, agree to Licensing Terms and click Next >

At this point, you will be asked if you wish to install optional software. This guide will not go into details on the products or how to install them, so if you are not interested go ahead and click Next >

The last decision you have to make is picking an installation directory. It is highly recommended you use the default location. The rest of the TorqueX tutorials will assume you used the default directory. When you are ready, click Install >

From here the installer will download the necessary components...

...then continue with the actual installation. While you are waiting, now might be a good time to read through some other docs available for XNA and TorqueX.

If all went well, the last screen you will see is the success message. If you have not already done so, you need to obtain a free registration key. After 30 days your compiler will stop working, which is definitely a bad thing. Go ahead and get this out of the way before proceeding.

Conclusion

This tutorial showed you how to install Visual C# Express, which is required software for developing XNA and TorqueX games. The next guide you should read is the XNA Installation Guide (TODO: Create link).