How to Install Visual Studio Code

Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is one of the most popular code editors in the world. Lightweight, fast, and packed with features, it supports dozens of programming languages out of the box, with countless extensions to further enhance your development workflow.

In this post, you’ll learn how to install Visual Studio Code on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

How to Install Visual Studio Code

Getting Started

Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is a free, open-source, and lightweight code editor developed by Microsoft. It’s one of the most popular code editors used by developers due to its speed, flexibility, and wide range of features. It supports development in many programming languages and integrates well with modern development tools.

Ideal Use Cases

• Web development (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React, etc.)
• Backend development (Node.js, Python, Go, etc.)
• Data science (with Jupyter extension)
• Mobile app development (with Flutter/Dart)
• DevOps and cloud configuration (YAML, Docker, Kubernetes)

Key Features

1. Cross-Platform: Works on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
2. IntelliSense: "It provides syntax highlighting, code suggestions, and autocomplete, as well as support for type inference, function signatures, and documentation tooltips.
3. Built-in Git Integration: View changes, commit, pull, push, and manage branches directly from the Source Control tab.
4. Extensions Marketplace: Thousands of extensions available (themes, linters, debuggers, etc.). Popular extensions include
5. Integrated Terminal: Use the terminal without leaving the editor also supports multiple shell environments (PowerShell, bash, zsh, etc.).
6. Multi-language Support: Built-in support for many programming languages and Extension for more languages.

Install Visual Studio Code: Step-by-Step Guide

VSCode Download

Download the Installer from the official VS Code website: https://code.visualstudio.com

• Click the "Download for Windows" button to download visual studio code for windows.
• Click "Download for macOS" button to download vscode for mac.
• Download the .deb package to download visual studio code linux ubuntu.

Install VS Code on Windows

1. Locate the downloaded .exe file (usually in your Downloads folder). Double-click to run it.
2. Follow Setup Wizard:
   • Accept the license agreement, click Next.
   • Choose the installation location (default is fine), click Next.
3. Select Additional Tasks: These are optional but recommended
   • Add "Open with Code" to the context menu
   • Register Code as an editor for supported file types
   • Add to PATH (important for using code in terminal/command prompt)
4. Click Next, then Install.
5. Once installed, check "Launch Visual Studio Code", then click Finish.

Install VS Code on macOS

1. Open the .zip file to extract it.
2. Drag the Visual Studio Code app to your Applications folder.
3. Add to Path
   • Launch VS Code.
   • Press Cmd + Shift + P and type Shell Command: Install 'code' command in PATH
   • This allows you to open VS Code from the terminal using the code command.

Install VS Code on Linux

Install Using Terminal in Ubuntu/Debian

 sudo apt install ./<file>.deb  

Replace <file > with the name of the downloaded file. you can alternatively use the official Microsoft repository:

 sudo apt update  
 sudo apt install software-properties-common apt-transport-https wget  
 wget -q https://packages.microsoft.com/keys/microsoft.asc -O- | sudo apt-key add -  
 sudo add-apt-repository "deb [arch=amd64] https://packages.microsoft.com/repos/vscode stable main"  
 sudo apt update  
 sudo apt install code  

Summary

Installing Visual Studio Code is a quick and easy process, whether you're on Windows, macOS, or Linux. Once set up, VS Code becomes a powerful tool in your developer toolbox and perfect for beginners and seasoned professionals alike.

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