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:

Windows 11 operating system Internet connection Steps to Download and Install Visual Studio Code on Windows 11:

Visit the Official Website: Open a web browser and go to https://code.visualstudio.com/download.

Select Windows: Click on the "Download for Windows" button.

Choose Installer Type: Select the "x64" or "arm64" installer based on your system's architecture.

Start Download: Click on the "Download" button to start the download of the Visual Studio Code installer executable file.

Run the Installer: Once the download is complete, locate the installer executable file and double-click on it to launch the installation.

Follow Installation Wizard: The installation wizard will guide you through the installation process. Accept the license agreement and choose the installation directory.

Complete Installation: Click on the "Install" button to start the installation. The installation process may take a few minutes.

Create Desktop Shortcut (Optional): During installation, you can choose to create a desktop shortcut for Visual Studio Code. If desired, enable the "Create desktop shortcut" checkbox.

Finish: Once the installation is complete, click on the "Finish" button to close the wizard.

Launch Visual Studio Code: Find the Visual Studio Code shortcut on the desktop or in the Start menu and click on it to launch the application.

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. Install Essential Extensions:

Prettier: Code formatter and beautifier ESLint: JavaScript/TypeScript linter and formatter Debugger for Chrome: Enable debugging in Chrome Live Server: Preview HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files in a live browser 2. Workspace Settings (Settings.json):

"editor.fontSize": Adjust font size for clarity. "editor.tabSize": Set desired tab size (e.g., 2 or 4). "editor.quickSuggestions": Enable code suggestions while typing. "editor.formatOnSave": Automatically format code on save. 3. User Interface Settings (Preferences):

Appearance: Choose a light or dark theme for improved readability. Notifications: Configure notifications for code diagnostics, updates, and extensions. Keyboard Shortcuts: Customize keyboard shortcuts for faster navigation and actions. 4. Debugging:

Configure Launch.json: Define debug configurations for different languages and environments. Enable source maps: Generate source maps for debugging minified code. 5. Version Control:

Integrate with Git: Install and configure Git for version control and collaboration. Enable Git Lens: Visualize Git history, commits, and branches in the editor. 6. Other Useful Settings:

"autoClosingBrackets": Enable automatic bracket completion. "terminal.integrated.fontSize": Adjust the terminal's font size for easier readability. "update.channel": Set to "Insider" to receive early access to new features and updates. 7. Extensions for Improved Productivity:

VS IntelliCode: AI-assisted code completion and suggestions Code Spell Checker: Detect and correct spelling errors Git History: Visualize and navigate Git history graphically Code Time: Track time spent on coding tasks and improve productivity Bracket Pair Colorizer 2: Highlight matching brackets for improved code readability

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

Purpose: Provides quick access to frequently used views and features. Components: File Explorer Debug Search Source Control Extensions 2. Side Bar

Purpose: Displays contextual information related to the current file or project. Components: Explorer: Shows the file tree of the workspace or project. Search: Allows for quick file and symbol search. Outline: Displays the structure of the current file. 3. Editor Group

Purpose: Contains the editor tabs and allows for multiple files to be open and edited simultaneously. Components: Editor Tabs: Represent individual files being edited. Code Editor: Where the actual code is written and modified. Minimap: Provides a zoomed-out view of the code. 4. Status Bar

Purpose: Displays information about the current file and project. Components: Git Status: Shows the Git status of the current file. Language Mode: Indicates the programming language of the current file. Encoding: Displays the file's encoding. Line and Column Number: Shows the current line and column position.

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.

The Command Palette is a powerful feature in Visual Studio Code (VS Code) that allows developers to quickly access and execute commands, functions, and settings. It provides a central hub for navigating the vast functionality of VS Code without having to remember specific key combinations or menu options.

Accessing Command Palette Keyboard shortcut: Ctrl+P Tasks that can be performed, include:

Opening files and folders: Just start typing the name of the file or folder you want to open and press Enter. Searching for commands: Type in any command or function you want to execute and VS Code will suggest matching options. Navigating the code: Quickly jump to specific lines, symbols, or definitions within your code project. Managing extensions: Install, update, or disable extensions from the Command Palette. Changing settings: Easily access and modify VS Code preferences and settings. Customizing the IDE: Create custom keybindings, add new themes, or toggle specific features. Creating new projects or files: Use the "Create New Project" or "Create New File" commands to start a new project or create new files. Searching and replacing text: Perform find and replace operations across multiple files or within a specific scope. Formatting code: Format your code according to your preferred style using the "Format Document" command. Debugging: Set breakpoints, step through code, and debug your programs using the "Debug" commands.

Example Uses:

To open the file main.py, type main.py into the Command Palette and press Enter. To install an extension, type Install Extension and search for the desired extension.

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.

Role of Extensions in VS Code

VS Code extensions extend its functionality by adding new features, languages, debuggers, and tools. They enable users to customize their development environment, optimize workflows, and enhance productivity. Extensions range from code snippets and syntax highlighting to full-fledged debugging tools and code analyzers.

Finding, Installing, and Managing Extensions

Marketplace: The official VS Code Marketplace hosts a vast collection of extensions. Users can browse by category, search, or filter by popularity and reviews. Install: To install an extension, users can click the "Install" button on its Marketplace page. Extensions will be automatically downloaded and integrated into VS Code. Manage: Installed extensions can be managed from the "Extensions" tab in the Settings. Users can enable, disable, update, or remove extensions as needed.

Essential Extensions for Web Development

Live Server: Launches a local development server to preview changes in real time. Prettier: Automates code formatting and styling to ensure consistent code. ESLint: Detects and fixes JavaScript and TypeScript code issues. Debugger for Chrome: Debug JavaScript code running in Chrome. HTML CSS JS Snippets: Provides code snippets for HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. GitLens: Visualizes the history and contributions of code changes. Docker: Integrates with Docker to manage and run containers. Remote - Containers: Allows developers to work on containers hosted in cloud or remote environments. One Dark Pro: Provides a dark theme for the editor and user interface. Bracket Pair Colorizer 2: Color-codes matching brackets to improve code readability.

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 Integrated Terminal

Open the integrated terminal in VS Code by pressing Ctrl + ' , or by selecting Terminal -> New Terminal from the menu bar.

Advantages of Using the Integrated Terminal

Convenience: The integrated terminal is embedded within VS Code, eliminating the need to switch between multiple windows. Context Awareness: It provides context-specific information related to the current file or project, making it easier to navigate and execute commands. Autocompletion and IntelliSense: The terminal supports autocompletion and IntelliSense for commands and paths, making it faster to type and execute commands. Integration with VS Code Extensions: Many VS Code extensions provide additional functionality for the terminal, such as custom commands, syntax highlighting, and debugging tools. Cross-Platform Compatibility: The integrated terminal is compatible with all supported operating systems, ensuring a consistent experience regardless of the platform.

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:

Click "New File" or "New Folder" icons in the Explorer sidebar. Right-click in the Explorer sidebar or editor and select "New File" or "New Folder." Use keyboard shortcuts: Ctrl+N (New File), Ctrl+Shift+N (New Folder).

Opening Files and Folders:

Click the "Open" icon in the Explorer sidebar. Navigate to the desired file or folder and double-click or press Enter. Drag and drop files or folders into the Explorer sidebar. Managing Files and Folders:

Use the Explorer sidebar to view, rename, move, or delete files and folders. Right-click on items to access context menus with additional options. Use keyboard shortcuts for common actions: F2 (rename), Ctrl+X/C/V (cut/copy/paste), Delete (delete).

Navigating Files and Directories:

Use the File Explorer (Ctrl+Shift+E) to search for files and navigate directories. Click on the breadcrumbs in the Explorer sidebar to go up the directory tree. Use the "Go to File" command (Ctrl+P) to quickly find specific files. Use the "Open Recent" list to access recently opened files.

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.

Settings Location:

Users can find and customize settings in Visual Studio Code (VS Code) by opening the Settings tab from the Explorer pane (Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + E), or by going to File > Preferences > Settings.

Changing Theme:

Go to Settings > Appearance > Theme. Choose from the built-in themes or download and install custom themes from the Marketplace. Changing Font Size:

Go to Settings > Editor > Font. Adjust the Font Size and Line Height settings. Changing Keybindings:

Go to Settings > Keyboard Shortcuts. Search for the command you want to customize. Click the Edit button and enter the desired keybinding.

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?

To set up debugging in VS Code:

Open the project in VS Code. Select the "Debug" view from the side bar. Click on the "Add Configuration" button. Select the type of debugging configuration you want to create (e.g. Node.js, Python, C++). Enter the necessary configuration details (e.g. launch file, script).

To start debugging:

Click on the "Run and Debug" button in the Debug view. VS Code will start the debugger and execute the program step-by-step.

Key debugging features available in VS Code:

Breakpoints: Set breakpoints to pause execution at specific lines of code. Variables and Expressions: Inspect values of variables and expressions during execution. Call Stack: View the sequence of function calls that led to the current execution point. Step Over: Execute the next line of code without stepping into functions. Step Into: Step into a function call to debug the function's code. Step Out: Exit a function call and continue debugging the calling function.

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.

Integrating Git with VS Code:

Install the Git extension for VS Code. Open the project folder in VS Code. Initialize a Git repository: Right-click in the File Explorer, select "Git: Initialize Repository". Making Commits:

Make changes to your files. Stage the changes: Right-click on the modified file, select "Add to Index". Commit the changes: Type git commit -m "commit message" in the Terminal or use the Source Control tab. Pushing Changes to GitHub:

Create a GitHub repository. In VS Code, click the "Push" button in the Source Control tab. Select the remote repository and the branch to push to. Enter your GitHub credentials and click "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