Installing and Using Visual Studio Code Effectively - Tips and Tricks

Visual Studio Code (VS Code), developed by Microsoft, is one of the most popular open-source editors that combines both simplicity and power. It provides smart completions based on variable types, function definitions, and imported modules, making coding easier and more efficient.

Whether you’re a seasoned coder or a novice looking to jump into the world of programming, understanding how to use VS Code can give your coding prowess a significant boost. This tutorial will walk you through how to install and use Visual Studio Code effectively, highlighting some tips and tricks along the way.

Installation

To get started, you need to have the software installed on your PC, laptop, or Mac. Regardless of which operating system you use, you can download VS Code from the official website for free.

Once the download is complete, run the installer. Follow the instructions, accept the license agreement and click ‘Next’ until the installation begins. Once the installation is complete, launch the editor.

Basics of Visual Studio Code

VS Code offers an extremely user-friendly interface. Upon launch, you’re greeted by a welcome page. Here, you can open a new file or folder to work on, customize your environment, and access useful information about VS Code.

The editor has three important sections – The Activity Bar, The Side Bar, and the Editor.

The Activity Bar located on the extreme left allows you to switch between views and gives you access to additional context-specific indicators. The Side Bar hosts various views like the Explorer and Search that you can navigate through. The Editor is where most magic happens, as this is where you write and edit your code.

Key Features and Usage

A great feature of VS Code is IntelliSense. This provides smart completions based on imported modules, variable types, and function definitions helping you code faster and with fewer errors. You can use IntelliSense by pressing 'CTRL + SPACE' while you’re coding.

Another helpful feature is the in-built Git version control, which lets you manage your source code within the editor. You can initialize a repository, make commits, and manage branches without having to switch to a terminal.

Extensions in Visual Studio Code

One of the reasons why VS Code became so popular amongst programmers is because it supports numerous extensions for other languages, themes, debuggers, and more. These extensions really enhance the functionality and look-and-feel of VS Code.

To install an extension, click on the ‘Extensions’ icon in the Activity Bar. This opens the Extensions view where you can search for any extension you need. To download and install an extension, simply click on the green ‘Install’ button.

Customization Tips and Tricks

Beyond its core capabilities, VS Code can be customized to suit your preferences. For example, you can change the theme of the editor to one that suits you.

To change the theme, go to 'File > Preferences > Color Theme' and make your selection. Similarly, you can add custom keyboard shortcuts and tweak other settings to optimize your coding environment.

Also, familiarize yourself with VS Code’s keyboard shortcuts. Managing your code with keystrokes can drastically improve your coding speed.

In conclusion, Visual Studio Code is a powerful, flexible and customizable code editor that fits into the workflow of any programmer. It combines simplicity, speed, and powerful features that will help you be more productive and write better code.

Remember: The best way to learn and understand this versatile software is by using it. So, start playing with the editor, and get coding!