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. Answer Navigate to the Visual Studio Code website and download the installer for windows. When the install is done, run the installer. When the installer is done, allow the application to make changes to your device. Read and accept the license agreement. Select your preferences and then install. Launch VS 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. Answer Some of the important settings and extensions that have to be installed include Python made by Microsoft, GitHub Pull Requests, GitHub Classroom, Python Debugger and others.

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. Answer -The Activity Bar: is on the left in the VS Code window. It shows your VS Code views such as the Explorer, Search, Source Control, Run and Debug, Extensions, Remote Explorer, and other features. -Side Bar: it is on the right of the Activity Bar, depending on the selected Activity Bar icon, it can show the files trees, search results, source control changes, debigging information, and installed extensions. -Editor Group: it is located on the center of the VS Code window where you write and edit code. -Status Bar: at the bottom of the VS Code window. It gives information about the editor and the workspace.

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. Answer: The Command Pallete is used to access commands and settings. It can be accessed on Windows/Linux by using 'Ctrl+Shift+P' and on Mac 'Cmd+Shift+P', or easily select View and Command Palette. You can be able to open files and folders, run and install extensions, control operations, debug commands, search and replace files, and other tasks.

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. Answer: Extensions are used to customize VS Code. They allow you to add (feautures,tools, and languages) not included initially when you were installing VS Code. To install extensions: go to the Extensions View, search for the extension (e.g. Python) you want using the search bar, click 'install' on the extension you want to install. Once the extension is installed you can be able to use it. Essential extensions include: GitHub Classroom, GitHub Codespaces, GitHub Pull Requests, Python, and Python Debbuger.

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? Answer: To open and use the integrated terminal in VS Code go the menu bar and select View and Terminal. You can also open command pallette and search Terminal: Create New Intergrated Terminal and select. Click on the + sign to open a new terminal. To configure the default shell for your terminal go to File > Preferences > Settings, search for terminal.integrated.shell, and set the path to your preferred shell (e.g., bash, zsh, PowerShell). Type your commands in the terminal, enter, and execute them. Advantages of using the intergrated terminal compared to an externa terminal is that it reduces context switching, it reduces the need to switch between different applications. It makes it easier to run scripts and commands on your project without the need to go to the correct folder. You are able to multitask when using the intergrated terminal because you can run several commands with multiple terminal windows.

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? Answer: To create a file: open the Command Pallette, File > New File, then save your file to your desired location. On the Explorer View, right-click on the parent folder where you want to create a new folder and select New Folder. Enter the folder name and enter. To open a file: in the Explorer View just double click it. To open a folder go to the file and open the folder you want. Renaming the files or folders, right click on the file or folder and click Rename. Rename your file/folder and press enter. To move the file or folder you ccan drag and drop the file or cut and paste the file or folder to your required destination.

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. Answer: For Windows/Linux you can go to File > Preferences > Settings. To change the Theme go to Settings> Theme> Color Theme, then select the theme you want from the list. To change the Font Size go to Settings> Text Editor> Font Size, and then choosing your desired font size. To change the keybindings on Windows go to the desired file> Preferences> Settings.

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? Answer: When using python you should install the extensions. Create a simple python script file or use an existing file. Open the debug view and create a debug configuration. Select the debug configuration you created from the dropdown menu in the Debug view. Press the play button to start debugging. Some Key debugging features on VS Code are: Breakpoints, Watch Expressions, Call Stack, Variable Inspections, Step Controls, Debug Console, Integrated Terminal, and Exception Handling.

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. Answer: Open VS Code and open your project folder by going to File > Open Folder. Initialize Git and make a commit. Stage changes and commit the changes. Go to GitHub and create a new repository by clicking the + icon in the top-right corner and selecting New repository. Copy the repository url and command ("git remote add origin ) then command (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. References Chatgpt.com https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/sourcecontrol/intro-to-git#:~:text=Pick%20an%20existing%20or%20new,init%20on%20the%20command%2Dline. https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/editor/extension-marketplace

• Submit your completed assignment by 1st July