Visual Studio Code is a lightweight but powerful source code editor from Microsoft that is available for Windows, macOS and Linux. It comes with built-in support for JavaScript, TypeScript and Node.js and has a rich ecosystem of extensions for other languages and runtimes (such as C++, C#, Java, Python, PHP, Go, .NET).
What is the difference between Visual Studio Code and Visual Studio?
Visual Studio Code is a code editor with support for development operations like debugging, task running, and version control, while Visual Studio is a fully featured IDE (integrated development environment) that can handle more complex workflows.
Is Visual Studio Code free?
Yes, VS Code is free for individual users or for commercial use.
Is VS Code good for beginners?
Yes. VS Code is a great code editor for professionals and beginners that are just starting with software development.
Can I do Python in VS Code?
Yes, Visual Studio Code fully supports almost every major programming language. Some examples are Python, JavaScript, TypeScript, CSS, and HTML, and more rich language extensions can be found in the VS Code Marketplace.
Can I run VS Code on Windows 7?
No, Visual Studio Code versions starting with 1.71 (August 2022) no longer run on Windows 7. You will need to upgrade to a newer Windows version in order to use VS Code or use other code editors like Sublime Text and Notepad++, which are compatible with Windows 7.
Features
Meet IntelliSense
Go beyond syntax highlighting and autocomplete with IntelliSense, which provides smart completions based on variable types, function definitions, and imported modules.
Print statement debugging is a thing of the past
Debug code right from the editor. Launch or attach to your running apps and debug with break points, call stacks, and an interactive console.
Git commands built-in
Working with Git and other SCM providers has never been easier. Review diffs, stage files, and make commits right from the editor. Push and pull from any hosted SCM service.
Extensible and customizable
Want even more features? Install extensions to add new languages, themes, debuggers, and to connect to additional services. Extensions run in separate processes, ensuring they won't slow down your editor.
What's New
Welcome to the August 2024 release of Visual Studio Code. There are many updates in this version that we hope you'll like, some of the key highlights include:
- Profiles editor - Switch and manage your profiles from a single place.
- Django unit test support - Discover and run Django unit tests from the Test Explorer.
- IntelliSense on vscode.dev - Boost your JS & TS coding in vscode.dev with IntelliSense.
- Notebook diff viewer - Efficiently review changes in notebooks by collapsing unchanged cells.
- Resize columns via the keyboard - Resizing table columns in VS Code more accessible via keyboard.
- Source Control Graph - Easily hide, collapse, or move the Source Control Graph.
- GitHub Copilot - Add context in Quick Chat, improved test generation and chat history.
- Experiment: Custom Copilot instructions - Define specific code-generation instructions for Copilot.
If you'd like to read these release notes online, go to Updates on code.visualstudio.com.