How do I create programs (in .deb format) for ubuntu?

[Dustin2128]

is there a GUI tool I can use like microsoft visual studios?

[danielrmt]

Visual Studio does not create installers, as I can tell. To create deb packages, you can use GiftWrap (http://giftwrap.tuxfamily.org/).

EDIT: If you want a development IDE, you can try MonoDevelop, Code::Blocks, Eclipse, and there are more options.