Beginning this month, the JetBrains team announced the release of ReSharper version 2023.2, a popular Visual Studio extension, bringing significant new features for C# and C++ programming languages, and performance improvements, alongside productivity tools related to unit testing, assembly difference analysis, AI Assistant and predictive debugger mode.
ReSharper 2023.2 introduces a wave of enhancements to C# language support. Notable improvements include handling raw string literals with new inspections and formatting options. The update also provides solutions for common Entity Framework issues, ensuring smoother development. Developers will benefit from enhanced code readability with two new inspections targeting local functions.
Improved nullability support, improved navigation for var declarations, and support for default parameter values in lambda expressions. Noteworthy additions encompass primary constructor support for non-record classes and structs, better object disposal control, improved C# discard support, and inlay hints for elevated code comprehension.
The C++ language receives notable support in the 2023.2 release. Among the key highlights are integrating C++23 features, including support for if consteval, static operator(), and operator[], along with support for the C++23 standard library modules. Noteworthy additions are also for C++20 [[no_unique_address]] attribute, support for modules such as the recognition of .cppm files as module interfaces.
Regarding the C++, this release also introduces a Safe Delete refactoring tool, optimized Blueprint indexing for Unreal Engine solutions, improved type completion with respect to concepts or traits, a more intuitive Go to Declaration feature, and for recursive calls, ReSharper C++ will now mark them in the gutter, making it more visible.
When it comes to the performance, the author of the original release post, Sasha Ivanova, states the following:
During this release cycle, we’ve done a lot of work to improve the solution loading speed in ReSharper. We’ve revised our approach to data caching and refactored some of ReSharper’s internal component construction logic. As a result, even the largest of solutions load noticeably faster.
A significant addition is the AI Assistant in the 2023.2 versions of IntelliJ-based IDEs and .NET tools. This addition brings AI-powered features, including an integrated chat function. The AI Assistant's capabilities are explaining selected code segments, identifying potential issues, and generating XML documentation. Notably, AI Assistant requires separate installation and is currently accessible through a waiting list. As reported, for those who have previously used AI Assistant during the 2023.2 EAP cycle, the functionality will be reinstated upon installation of the product.
Other notable changes are related to unit testing, alongside Assembly diff in the decompiler. As reported, this functionality proves particularly valuable when examining variances between two iterations of a particular assembly and identifying potential vulnerabilities that might have been introduced.
Also, the new predictive debugger mode has been included. This mode allows the system to anticipate potential program states without requiring actual execution. The predictive debugger is currently in beta and only available in ReSharper. The original blog post references the detailed blog post about the usage of predictive debugger mode and the exploration of it.
In addition to the release post, a recent Twitter thread revealed optimistic expansions of the predictive debugger for the Rider as well. In response to a query about the potential integration of a specific feature, the official account confirmed ongoing efforts. The tweet affirmed that the team is actively working on incorporating the feature into Rider.
For additional insights, readers are encouraged to explore the details available on the What’s New in ReSharper 2023.2 page. The array of resolved requests can be found through the public bug tracker. Also, it is stated that user feedback is eagerly awaited and greatly valued.