Can I use Visual Studio instead of Arduino IDE? I think that Visual Studio is a great product! I find the Arduino IDE is limited in its features. For example the Arduino IDE does not have:


Code prediction
Error highlighting
Previews of #define values
Peek at code definition
Jump to code definition
and many more...


Since the Arduino ino &amp; pde file types are basically C++, Can I use the Visual Studio IDE instead of Arduino IDE?

To be considered as a replacement, Visual Studio must be able to:


Save &amp; open ino &amp; pde files.
Compile my code.
Download my code.
Use existing/custom libraries from the Arduino IDE.
Detect and display an Arduino project.


I would consider these features as a bonus:


Arduino board selection. 
Debugging 


Variable watch window
Breakpoints
Step through code

Simulation
Open the Arduino Examples
Automatic board detection
Serial Monitor
I only use Visual Studio for Arduino programming.
Arduino Plugin for Visual Studio