Introduction

Visual Studio Code, commonly referred to as VS Code, is one of the most popular code editors in the community of developers. Its user-friendly design, amazing features, and wide range of extensions make it an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced programmers. It doesn't matter that you are coding in Python, JavaScript, or any other language, VS Code is a versatile tool that can enhance your productivity. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps to set up and install VS Code on your system.

System Requirements

Before installing VS Code, make sure that your system meets the minimum requirements:

• Windows: Windows 7, 8, 10, or 11 (64-bit recommended)
• macOS: macOS 10.11 or later
• Linux: Ubuntu 16.04+, Debian 9+, CentOS 7+, or Fedora 30+
• Additional Requirements: At least 2GB of RAM and 200MB of available disk space.

Step 1: Downloading VS Code

• Open your preferred web browser and navigate to the official VS Code website.
• Click on the Download button.
• The website will automatically detect your operating system and provide the appropriate download link. If not, you can manually select your OS (Windows, macOS, or Linux).

Step 2: Installing VS Code

For Windows

1.Locate the downloaded .exe file and double-click to run the installer.

2.Accept the license agreement and click Next.

3.Choose the installation location (default is recommended) and click Next.

4.Select additional tasks such as:

• Adding VS Code to the PATH environment variable
• Creating a desktop icon.
• Associating supported file types with VS Code

5.Click Install and wait for the installation to complete.

6.Once done, click Finish to launch VS Code.

For macOS

1.Locate the downloaded .dmg file and double-click to open it.

2.Drag the VS Code icon into the Applications folder.

3.Open your Applications folder and launch VS Code.

4.(Optional) Add VS Code to the Dock for quick access.

For Linux

Debian/Ubuntu:

1.Open a terminal and run the following commands:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install ./<path-to-downloaded-deb-file>

2.Replace <path-to-downloaded-deb-file> with the actual file path.

Fedora/CentOS:

1.Open a terminal and run the following command:
sudo rpm -i <path-to-downloaded-rpm-file>

2.Replace <path-to-downloaded-rpm-file> with the actual file path.

Step 3: First Launch & Initial Setup

1.Open VS Code after installation.

2.You will see the Welcome Screen, which provides quick access to resources such as recent projects, settings, and extensions.

3.Familiarize yourself with the key areas:

• Activity Bar: Found on the left side, it provides shortcuts to Explorer, Search, Source Control, and more.
• Command Palette: Press Ctrl+Shift+P (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Shift+P (macOS) to access commands quickly.
• Settings: Configure your preferences by going to File > Preferences > Settings.

Step 4: Installing Extensions

Extensions enhance the functionality of VS Code. Here’s how to install them:

1.Click on the Extensions icon in the Activity Bar (or press Ctrl+Shift+X).

2.Search for popular extensions such as:

• Python (for Python development)
• Prettier (code formatting)
• GitLens (Git integration)
• Live Server (for web development)

3.Click Install for the desired extension.

4.Once installed, the extension will be ready to use immediately.
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Congratulations! You’ve successfully set up and installed VS Code on your system. With its rich feature set and extensibility, VS Code is a powerful tool that will make coding easier and more enjoyable. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, this editor is an excellent choice for any programming task.