How to Use Visual Studio Code for Python Programming

As a developer, you're likely no stranger to Integrated Development Environments (IDEs). One of the most popular and versatile IDEs is Visual Studio Code (VS Code), which can be used with various programming languages including Python. In this article, we'll explore how to use VS Code for Python programming.

Before we begin, let's get started by downloading the latest version of Visual Studio Code from the official website. The download link can be found in the downloads section of the Visual Studio website. For this tutorial, we will be using version 1.58.2 of VS Code for Windows.

Once the download is complete, execute the downloaded installer and follow the installation wizard's prompts to install VS Code on your system.

After installing VS Code, open it by double-clicking on the icon or searching for 'Visual Studio Code' in your start menu or application launcher. The first screen you'll see is the initial setup screen, which requires you to read and accept the license agreement before clicking the 'Next' button.

The next screen allows you to select the destination location for the install. Choose a location that suits your preferences and click 'Next'.

Finally, VS Code will be installed on your system. Once the installation is complete, you can launch VS Code by searching for it in your start menu or application launcher.

Now that we have VS Code installed, let's configure it to use with Python programming. First, open a new folder in VS Code by clicking on 'File' > 'Open Folder' and selecting the folder where you want to create your Python project.

Next, install the Python extension for VS Code by clicking on the Extensions icon (represented by four horizontal lines) in the left sidebar of VS Code, searching for 'Python', and installing the latest version. This will allow you to use VS Code's advanced features such as code completion, debugging, and testing with your Python projects.

With the Python extension installed, you can now create a new Python file by clicking on 'File' > 'New File' or using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+N (Windows) or Command+N (Mac). This will open a new file in VS Code's editor, where you can write your Python code.

Some of the key features that make VS Code an excellent choice for Python programming include:

* Code completion: VS Code provides intelligent code completion, which suggests possible completions as you type.

* Debugging: VS Code allows you to debug your Python code using its built-in debugger or third-party extensions like PDB.

* Testing: VS Code supports testing frameworks like unittest and pytest, making it easy to write and run tests for your Python projects.

In conclusion, Visual Studio Code is a powerful and versatile IDE that can be used with various programming languages including Python. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily install and configure VS Code to use with Python programming. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced developer, VS Code's features and extensions make it an excellent choice for any Python project.

How to use visual studio code for python