Abstract: A software development environment exposes a GUI with visual markings for differentiating developer modifications to software files. The differentiation techniques can be provided as defaults with embodiments of the invention, or can be customizable to allow for useful grouping of modifications. The software development environment may also provide a selection tool for accepting, rejecting, or further modifying previous file modifications. A history of modifications may be maintained in the event that a developer needs to re-implement modifications that have been removed or distorted. A navigation tool facilitates analysis of modifications.

Abstract: A user interface is provided that exposes items such as developer tasks, commands, property settings, and other related information to a user. The user interface may be invoked in a number of development interfaces such as, for example, a designer or an editor. The user interface may be either an object bound interface or an action triggered interface. An object bound interface exposes a set of items that are associated with a corresponding object. An action triggered interface exposes a set of items that are associated with a corresponding triggering action. In addition to enumerating developer tasks, the user interface may provide a direct link to other interfaces that facilitate task execution.