TFS Update 2 feature exploration

Microsoft has just released a test package for TFS Update 2, https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/bharry/2016/02/10/ team-foundation-server-2015-update-2-rc-1-is-available/.

Relative to update 1, this update contains a lot of user-expected features, the author first time to download and update their own system, and share experience with you.

1. Upgrade TFS 2015.1 to update 2

The installation process for Update 2, like the previous version, is very simple, with the installation package ISO file loaded, and the installation runs directly, without the need for manual intervention.

After the installation is complete, you will need to reconfigure the settings for TFS, which is exactly the same as the previous version. Here does not do the description, cut two kinds of pictures to do the reference.

2. Explore new features

Here are some new features that the authors think are more practical.

2.1 Creating a team project from a Web browser

I think this should be a favorite feature of TFS Administrators. To create a new team project, you don't need to install a Visual Studio or Team Explorer, now you just need a Web browser that can connect to the TFS server.

However, in Update 2, the flaw in creating a team project through a Web page is that the project's report and SharePoint server's integration site cannot be automatically configured.

You can also navigate to the management interface of TFS and find the " New team Project " button in the management page of the team project collection.

2.2 Browser-based release management release Management

Microsoft has finally integrated the release Management (RM) into the browser, and the user no longer needs to install the RM server separately from the client. In the user's habit, RM finally removed the tag of illegitimate child.

TFS is fully integrated with the new RM functionality, making it a true module of TFS, rather than integrating a third-party software. RM has been significantly improved in the user experience, and has been more tightly integrated with TFS generation.

2.3 Deleting work Items

Almost all users who have used TFS work item features will ask the question "How do I delete a work item?" “。

In versions prior to TFS Update 2, normal users did not have permission to delete work items. Even the system administrator must use Witadmin.exe to perform the Delete work item operation in command-line mode. This design is designed to provide a junior log audit trail for work items in a TFS system, but it also causes a lot of inconvenience to project members, especially for those who need to delete work items.

Now the new version of TFS 2015.2 provides users with the ability to delete work items that can be moved out of the Recycle Bin at any time, and can be restored in the Recycle Bin or permanently deleted.

It is important to note that in the current release, users cannot delete work items related to the test, such as not deleting test cases, test plans, test suites, test results, or deleting work items associated with the test case.

2.4 Shortcut keys in the browser

The new version provides a very large number of shortcut keys for users to use TFS in their browsers, which can greatly improve the efficiency of their work items.

You can hit "Hello" on any page of your team project? , the system pops up a shortcut prompt window that you can use. You can get a detailed description of all the shortcut keys from here https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/Library/vs/alm/Overview/reference/keyboard-shortcuts

2.5 Extensions

TFS provides extended development capabilities, a complete and powerful front-end JavaScript SDK that allows you to customize menus and pages, leverage the already well-established rest API, dramatically improve the scalability of TFS software, and provide a vast space for programmers who develop TFS extensions.

Developers can develop their own extensions, install them into a team project in TFS, or publish them to the software market for VSTS (MarketPlace).

Http://www.cnblogs.com/danzhang/ALM MVP Zhang Hongjun

TFS Update 2 feature exploration