Managed Package Framework Classes

The managed package framework (MPF) classes can be used to create VSPackages using managed code. They provide default implementations for many VSPackage interfaces. By hiding implementation details and complexities, MPF enables you to create Visual Studio integration products with a minimum amount of code.

Warning

Most of the assemblies that contain Managed Package Framework classes are shipped with the Visual Studio SDK. You can download the source code for the Managed Packaged Framework for Projects at Managed Package Framework for Projects.

MPF Namespaces

The following table lists the MPF namespaces provided by the Visual Studio SDK.

Name space Contents
Microsoft.VisualStudio Contains useful classes for handling COM errors, Visual Studio constants, and Win32 windows.
Microsoft.VisualStudio.Package Includes managed code wrappers for Visual Studio projects, editors, and MSBuild.
Microsoft.VisualStudio.Shell Includes MPF base classes from which you can derive an implementation of many common Visual Studio objects.
Microsoft.VisualStudio.Shell.Design Contains Visual Studio designer extensions.
Microsoft.VisualStudio.Shell.Design.Serialization Contains Visual Studio serialization designer extensions.
Microsoft.VisualStudio.Shell.Design.Serialization.CodeDom Contains Visual Studio CodeDom designer extensions.
Microsoft.VisualStudio.Shell.Flavor Supports project subtypes (also known as "flavors").

See Also

VSPackages and the Managed Package Framework
Using Visual Studio Interop Assemblies
VSPackages and the Managed Package Framework