How to Set Up VS Code for Python

Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is a powerful and versatile code editor that has become increasingly popular among Python developers for its ease of use, extensibility, and robust features. In this tutorial, we’ll walk you through the process of setting up a Python development environment using VS Code, from installation to running your first Python code.

Installing Python on Your Computer

For Windows

1. Download Python: Visit the official Python website at “python.org/downloads” and download the latest version of Python for Windows.

2. Run Installer: Once the download is complete, locate the downloaded installer file and double-click to run it.

3. Install Python: Follow the on-screen instructions provided by the Python installer. Make sure to check the box that says “Add Python to PATH” during installation to ensure Python is added to your system’s PATH environment variable. If you’re using Python for development, consider installing additional tools like pip, a package manager for Python.

4. Verify Installation: After the installation is complete, open a command prompt by pressing “Win + R”, typing “cmd”, and pressing Enter. Then, type “python –version” and press Enter. You should see the installed Python version displayed in the command prompt.

Here is a detailed tutorial on How to Install Python on Windows.

For MacOS and Linux

Unlike Windows, Python is typically pre-installed on macOS and many Linux distributions. Therefore, users of these operating systems do not need to perform this step. They can directly proceed with setting up their Python development environment in Visual Studio Code.

Installing Visual Studio Code

1. Download VS Code: Navigate to the official Visual Studio Code website at “code.visualstudio.com” and download the installer for your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux).

2. Install VS Code: Run the downloaded installer and follow the on-screen instructions to install VS Code on your system.

Installing Python Extension for VS Code

1. Open VS Code: Launch Visual Studio Code after installation.

2. Install Python Extension: Click on the Extensions icon in the sidebar (or press “Ctrl+Shift+X”), search for “Python”, and click Install next to the official Python extension provided by Microsoft.

Setting Up Python Interpreter

1. Open Command Palette: Press “Ctrl+Shift+P” to open the command palette.

2. Select Python Interpreter: Type “Python: Select Interpreter” in the command palette and select the Python interpreter you want to use for your project. If Python is not detected, ensure it is installed on your system and added to the PATH environment variable.

Creating a Python Project

1. Open a Folder: Open the folder where you want to create your Python project by selecting File > Open Folder.

2. Create a New Python File: Right-click on the Explorer sidebar and select New File. Name the file with a “.py” extension, such as “hello.py”.

3. Write Your First Python Code: You have probably written “Python Hello World” program without VS Code but let us try the same code in this IDE now. In the newly created Python file, type the following code:

print("Hello, world!")

Running Python Code

1. Run Code: To execute your Python code, right-click anywhere in the editor and select Run Python File in Terminal, or press “Ctrl+Shift+P” to open the command palette, type “Run Python File in Terminal”, and press Enter.

2. View Output: After running the code, you will see the output “Hello, world!” printed in the integrated terminal at the bottom of the VS Code window.

Debugging Python Code

1. Set Breakpoints: Click on the gutter next to the line number where you want to set a breakpoint. A red dot will appear, indicating the breakpoint.

2. Start Debugging: Press “F5″ or select Run > Start Debugging from the menu. VS Code will launch the debugger and pause execution at the first breakpoint.

3. Inspect Variables: While debugging, you can hover over variables to inspect their values, use the Debug Console to execute Python expressions, and navigate through the call stack.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You’ve successfully set up a Python development environment using Visual Studio Code and run your first Python code. Explore more features of VS Code and continue your Python journey by building exciting projects and learning new concepts. Happy coding!