What is Visual Studio Code?

Visual Studio Code is one of the popular text editors used by professionals and recommended to new coders. Being one of Microsoft’s renowned software, VS code is free to use, open-source, and compatible with Windows, Linux, and macOS.

Why such popularity around Visual Studio Code?

VS Code can be installed easily and will not use too much space. Since this platform is packed with robust and up-to-date features, its lightweight cannot be considered a flaw.

By features, we mean VS code supports:

• A wide array of programming languages such as C++, Java, Python and many more.
• It allows you to add essential extensions to the editor, such as debuggers cloud and web development tools. etc

In addition to the above, their user-friendly interface is an added bonus. With the editor neatly organized into discrete sections, programmers find it convenient to write comprehensible codes and debug errors.

VS Code Extensions

One of the key reasons why VS code stands out is because of its versatility and up-to-date functionalities.

Since it is unfeasible for a code editor to provide a solution for every possible issue, VS code supports extensions.

Extensions are third-party features that programmers can add to enhance the codes’ quality, functionality, and appearance. Programmers can also add languages, debuggers, and other tools via VS extensions.

VS code, for example, does not support C++, although it is still the preferred programming environment for C++. Programming is feasible thanks to the editor’s C/C++ extensions. After adding such useful extensions, developers find it easier to code with VS code.

Considering VS code is open-source, third-party extensions with innovative features are constantly brought to the editor and updated regularly. So, in the Visual Studio Code Marketplace, developers can find extensions for nearly anything.

How to Search, Install and Use VS Code Extensions? 

Searching extensions on VS code is pretty easy. The only problem you might face as a developer is identifying whether the ones you’re looking for exist, and if they do, ensuring that they execute their job. 

The steps to install VS code extensions are as follows:

• Click the Extensions icon in the Activity Bar on the left side of VS Code, or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+X.
• On the VS code marketplace, search for your preferred extension.
• Click the Install button to install the extension.

After installation, the extension will be added to the editor and is ready to use. If you don’t require a particular extension, you can simply Uninstall them through the manage button.

How to Run VS Code?

As a beginner to such a wonderful editor, you are bound to feel disoriented initially. And that’s why we’re here.

Not knowing how to run a code is a typical problem beginners face, so here is a quick guide.

To run a code in Visual Studio:

• Click on the ‘Run Code’ on the title menu, or
• Press F1 and choose ‘Run Code’, or
• Right-click on the text editor and choose ‘Run Code’, or
• Use the shortcut Ctrl+Alt+N.

Simple, isn’t it?

Try remembering these shortcuts to run codes easily.

Conclusion

With the knowledge shared, you probably have gotten a gist of what a visual code editor is and how it works and how to work on it. VS Code is unquestionably a vital tool for programmers, as it can operate with multiple programming languages and comes with the most up-to-date features.

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