What is Visual Studio Code
Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is a free, lightweight, and AI-powered code editor developed by Microsoft, compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux. Unlike heavy IDEs, VS Code is designed for speed, flexibility, and easy customization. It supports many programming languages, offers syntax highlighting, smart auto-completion (IntelliSense), debugging tools, and an extensive marketplace of extensions.
Because of its versatility and cross-platform support, many developers choose VS Code as their primary AI code editor or code editor for web development.
How to Use Visual Studio Code?
- Download and Install: Visit the official site of Visual Studio Code and install VS Code for your operating system, Windows, macOS, or Linux.
- Open a Project or Folder: Use File → Open Folder to open your workspace and view your files in the Explorer panel.
- Edit Code: Open a file to start coding with syntax highlighting, IntelliSense suggestions, and easy navigation.
- Use the Integrated Terminal: Open View → Terminal to run Git commands, scripts, or build tools without leaving VS Code.
- Debug Your Code: You can set breakpoints, inspect variables, and debug programs directly inside the editor.
- Install Extensions: You can explore the Extensions Marketplace to add language packs, themes, debuggers, and productivity tools.
- Version Control: VS Code lets you use the built-in Git tools to commit, push, pull, and manage branches easily.
- Customize and Sync Settings: Adjust themes, shortcuts, and settings, and sync them across devices with Settings Sync.
- Go Remote or Web-based: Connect to remote servers, containers, or use VS Code directly in your browser via vscode.dev.
Technical Highlights
- Cross-Platform and Lightweight: VS Code runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux. It loads fast and supports many languages without slowing down your system.
- Smart IntelliSense: The editor includes rich auto-completion, refactoring support, and navigation across your codebase.
- Built-in Git Support: VS Code manages your code versions, allowing you to commit, push, pull, and review changes easily.
- Extensive Extensions: Add VS Code features for languages, themes, debugging, and remote work through the vast Extensions Marketplace.
- Remote and Web Access: VS Code supports remote containers, SSH, WSL, and even a web-based version so you can work from almost anywhere.
Features
- Integrated Terminal: Run shell commands right inside the editor for a smooth workflow between coding and the command line.
- Debugging Tools: Add breakpoints, check variables, and fix issues without leaving VS Code.
- Multi-language Support: The editor codes in JavaScript, Python, C++, C#, HTML/CSS, and more with built-in or extension support.
- Customizable Interface: Change themes, layouts, and shortcuts, and sync your settings across devices.
- Extension Marketplace: Access thousands of extensions for AI coding, live collaboration, AI pair-coding, code linters, formatters, and more.
Benefits
- Increased Productivity: With IntelliSense, easy navigation, and built-in tools, VS Code helps you code faster with fewer distractions.
- Flexible and Scalable: Works perfectly for small scripts or large projects, whether local or in the cloud.
- Customizable Workflow: Personalize the editor with themes, layouts, and extensions to match your coding style.
- Active Community: A huge marketplace and developer community ensures you’ll find tools and support for any language or framework.
- Free and Open Source: VS Code is completely free, open source, and constantly improving through community contributions.
Visual Studio Code is a fast, flexible, and customizable AI code editor that works across platforms and supports a wide range of languages. It helps developers of all levels code smarter and faster with powerful features, collaboration tools, and regular updates, making it one of the top choices for modern software development.
Pricing
VS Code is completely free for both personal and commercial use and is available for download on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
No Free Trial
The latest revision of this document was made on 13 November, 2025.
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