"Active (Debug)" versus "Debug"

Question

Visual Studio Debugger
Project Settings for C# Debug Configurations

• Visual Studio 2010
• Visual Studio 2008
• .NET 3.0
• Visual Studio 2005
• Visual Studio 2003

"Sets mode for compiling the application.
Choose among
Active (Debug), <========
Debug, <========
Release,
All Configurations."

It appears that Active (Debug) and Debug are two separate choices.
However, the MSDN library fails to explain the difference between Active (Debug) and Debug.

There's no information here: "Visual Studio Debugger Project Settings for C# Debug Configurations"

• Visual Studio 2010
• Visual Studio 2008
• .NET 3.0
• Visual Studio 2005
• Visual Studio 2003

I could not find any explanation via Google either.

QUESTION:
What is the difference between Active (Debug) and Debug?

Answer 1

The Active tab is to denote the currently active configuration. In the case of Active (Debug) it is noting the active configuration is the debug one.

You can demonstrate this by changing the current configuration to Release and then revisiting the Debug tab. It will now display Active (Release).

Answer 2

Active refers to the currently active configuration, there is a drop down list in the standard toolbar that allows you to define the current active configuration, when you change these the "Active" configuration in project properties will change.