This comprehensive tutorial provides up-to-date instructions for installing Visual Studio Code, Microsoft’s versatile open-source code editor, on an Ubuntu system. We’ve refreshed the content to ensure you have the most current information. Let’s dive into the seamless process of getting Visual Studio Code up and running on your Ubuntu machine, enhancing your coding experience with its multitude of features.
Understanding How to Set Up Visual Studio Code on Ubuntu
Visual Studio Code stands out as a prominent, open-source code editor from Microsoft that’s designed to be both powerful and user-friendly. Compatible across multiple platforms, it comes packed with essential tools for code development such as debugging capabilities, streamlined syntax highlighting, elegant version control, and intelligent code completion. Keep in mind that Visual Studio Code differs significantly from Visual Studio, which is a comprehensive integrated development environment (IDE) tailored for Windows systems and Windows-based development projects. On the other hand, Visual Studio Code is a cross-platform editor, compatible with major operating systems, and well-suited for a broad array of programming tasks.
Easy Installation of Visual Studio Code Using Snap Packages
Microsoft offers Visual Studio Code as a convenient snap package, simplifying the installation and maintenance process. Snap packages are complete with all necessary binaries and dependencies, making them functional across various Linux distributions. They boast easy updates and enhanced security, although sometimes they might use more disk space and show slower launch times compared to traditional deb packages.
Installing Visual Studio Code via snap can be effortlessly accomplished through the terminal. Just open it (Ctrl + Alt + T) and execute the command:
sudo snap install code --classic
Once this step is completed, Visual Studio Code will be ready on your Ubuntu desktop, with automatic background updates whenever a new release is published. Alternatively, you can install it through the Ubuntu Software Center by simply searching for “Visual Studio Code” and initiating the installation process from the graphical interface.
Installing Visual Studio Code via apt Repository
For those who prefer using the traditional apt package management, Visual Studio Code is also available through Microsoft’s official repositories. Here’s how to set it up:
- Start by updating your package index and install necessary dependencies with the commands:
sudo apt updatesudo apt install software-properties-common apt-transport-https wget - Next, import the Microsoft GPG key:
wget -q https://packages.microsoft.com/keys/microsoft.asc -O- | sudo apt-key add - - Add the Visual Studio Code repository to your system with:
sudo add-apt-repository "deb [arch=amd64] https://packages.microsoft.com/repos/vscode stable main" - Finally, install Visual Studio Code using:
sudo apt install code
To update Visual Studio Code to the latest version, simply use your desktop’s standard software update tool or run the commands:sudo apt updatesudo apt upgrade
Launching Visual Studio Code
After installation, use Ubuntu’s Activities search bar to look for “Visual Studio Code” and click on its icon to launch the editor. You’ll be greeted with the user-friendly interface that Visual Studio Code is known for. If you prefer command-line efficiency, simply type code to initiate the program.
Concluding Thoughts on Installing Visual Studio Code on Ubuntu
With these straightforward steps, we hope the process of installing Visual Studio Code on Ubuntu is crystal clear. Should you encounter any difficulties or have questions, feel free to reach out through our contact section. And if this guide was helpful, please pass it along to your peers to spread the knowledge!
