Installation and Navigation of Visual Studio Code (VS Code) Instructions: Answer the following questions based on your understanding of the installation and navigation of Visual Studio Code (VS Code). Provide detailed explanations and examples where appropriate.

Questions:

1. Installation of VS Code:
   • Describe the steps to download and install Visual Studio Code on Windows 11 operating system. Include any prerequisites that might be needed.

Prerequisites: Ensure you have an active internet connection. Windows 11 operating system.

Download VS Code: Open your web browser and go to the Visual Studio Code website. Click on the "Download for Windows" button. This will download the installer for the latest version of VS Code.

Run the Installer: Locate the downloaded file (usually in your Downloads folder) and double-click on it to run the installer. Follow the installation prompts. You can keep the default settings, or customize the installation location and additional tasks (like creating a desktop icon or adding VS Code to the PATH).

Complete Installation: Once the installation process is complete, click "Finish" to launch Visual Studio Code.

2. First-time Setup:
   • After installing VS Code, what initial configurations and settings should be adjusted for an optimal coding environment? Mention any important settings or extensions.

Welcome Screen: Upon first launching VS Code, you'll see a welcome screen with helpful resources.

Set up Preferences: Go to File > Preferences > Settings to customize your coding environment. Adjust settings such as theme, font size, and auto-save preferences.

Install Extensions: Click on the Extensions view icon in the Activity Bar on the side of the window or use the shortcut Ctrl+Shift+X. Search for essential extensions like "Prettier - Code formatter", "ESLint", and any language-specific extensions you need (e.g., Python, JavaScript,flutter,dart).

Configure Settings: Open settings JSON file with Ctrl+, and customize further as needed.

3. User Interface Overview:
   • Explain the main components of the VS Code user interface. Identify and describe the purpose of the Activity Bar, Side Bar, Editor Group, and Status Bar.

Activity Bar: Located on the far left side, it allows you to switch between different views such as Explorer, Search, Source Control, Run and Debug, and Extensions.

Side Bar: Displays different panels depending on the selected view in the Activity Bar, such as the file explorer, search results, or source control.

Editor Group: The central part where you open and edit your files. You can have multiple editors side by side in split views.

Status Bar: Located at the bottom, it shows information about the current file and project, such as line and column number, file type, Git branch, and more.

4. Command Palette:
   • What is the Command Palette in VS Code, and how can it be accessed? Provide examples of common tasks that can be performed using the Command Palette.

Accessing the Command Palette: Use the shortcut Ctrl+Shift+P or F1.

Common Tasks: Open files: Start typing the file name. Execute commands: Type the command name. Change settings: Search for setting names. Install extensions: Type "Extensions: Install Extensions".

5. Extensions in VS Code:
   • Discuss the role of extensions in VS Code. How can users find, install, and manage extensions? Provide examples of essential extensions for web development.

Finding Extensions: Go to the Extensions view in the Activity Bar or press Ctrl+Shift+X. Search for the desired extension.

Installing Extensions: Click the "Install" button on the extension page.

Managing Extensions: Disable or uninstall extensions from the Extensions view. Configure extension settings via the gear icon next to each installed extension.

6. Integrated Terminal:
   • Describe how to open and use the integrated terminal in VS Code. What are the advantages of using the integrated terminal compared to an external terminal?

Opening the Terminal: Use the shortcut Ctrl+` or go to View > Terminal.

Using the Terminal: Run commands as you would in any terminal application. Use multiple terminal tabs for different tasks.

Advantages: Directly interacts with your project files. Execute build and test commands without leaving the editor.

7. File and Folder Management:
   • Explain how to create, open, and manage files and folders in VS Code. How can users navigate between different files and directories efficiently?

Creating Files and Folders: Right-click in the Explorer view and select "New File" or "New Folder". Use the command palette: File: New File or File: New Folder.

Opening Files: Double-click files in the Explorer view. Use the command palette: File: Open File.

Managing Files: Rename, delete, or move files and folders by right-clicking them in the Explorer view.

Efficient Navigation: Use Ctrl+P to quickly open files by name. Navigate back and forth using Alt+Left Arrow and Alt+Right Arrow.

8. Settings and Preferences:
   • Where can users find and customize settings in VS Code? Provide examples of how to change the theme, font size, and keybindings.

Accessing Settings: Go to File > Preferences > Settings or use Ctrl+,`.

Examples: Change Theme: Preferences: Color Theme in the command palette. Font Size: Search for "editor.fontSize" in settings. Keybindings: File > Preferences > Keyboard Shortcuts or use Ctrl+K Ctrl+S.

9. Debugging in VS Code:
   • Outline the steps to set up and start debugging a simple program in VS Code. What are some key debugging features available in VS Code?

Open the Debug View: Click the Run and Debug icon in the Activity Bar or use Ctrl+Shift+D.

Configure Debugger: Click on "create a launch.json file" to configure the debugger for your project.

Set Breakpoints: Click in the gutter next to the line numbers.

Start Debugging: Click the green play button or use F5.

Key Features: Watch variables. Step through code. View call stack.

10. Using Source Control:
    • How can users integrate Git with VS Code for version control? Describe the process of initializing a repository, making commits, and pushing changes to GitHub.

Initialize a Repository: Open the Source Control view from the Activity Bar. Click "Initialize Repository".

Making Commits: Stage changes by clicking the "+" icon next to changed files. Enter a commit message and click the checkmark icon to commit.

Pushing to GitHub: Set up the remote repository URL. Use the built-in Git commands in the Source Control view to push changes (Ctrl + Shift + P > "Git: Push").

Submission Guidelines:

• Your answers should be well-structured, concise, and to the point.
• Provide screenshots or step-by-step instructions where applicable.
• Cite any references or sources you use in your answers.
• Submit your completed assignment by 1st July