What is VS Code?

The Modern Code Editor

Visual Studio Code, usually called VS Code, is Microsoft's free, open-source code editor. It runs fast, is highly extensible, and supports dozens of languages out of the box, which is why it has become the default editor for millions of developers.

Editor, Not IDE

VS Code stays lightweight but grows through extensions: language servers, formatters, debuggers and themes plug into one consistent interface. You keep a single editor for JavaScript, Python, Java, Go, Docker and nearly everything else.

Key Features

• IntelliSense - Autocomplete, hover and error hints.
• Integrated terminal - Shell without leaving the editor.
• Source control - Git staged commits right from the UI.
• Debugging - Breakpoints and watches for many runtimes.
• Remote development - Edit on servers and containers.

Cross-Platform and Open

VS Code runs on Windows, macOS and Linux. Its core is open source under the MIT license, and a vigorous community ships thousands of extensions via the marketplace.

Key Points

• VS Code is a fast, free, cross-platform editor.
• Extensions add IDE-class features per language.
• Terminal, Git and debugging live inside the editor.
• It is the industry standard for polyglot development.