VS Code Installation Guide for IQ (2nd generation) on a Windows Device – VEX Library

Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is a free code editor that runs on the Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems. This article is an overview of installing Visual Studio Code and the VEX Visual Studio Code Extension for Windows.

Installing VS Code

Visual Studio Code website homepage with a large heading that says Your code editor. Redefined with AI. A blue button labeled Download for Windows is highlighted below the heading.

Go to https://code.visualstudio.com/ and select the Download for Windows button to download the VS Code installer.

Windows File Explorer is opened to the Downloads folder and the VS Code Installer file is shown.

Navigate to the VS Code Installer and select it to start the installation.

Microsoft VS Code Setup window with a license agreement that must be agreed to. A button is highlighted below that reads I accept the agreement.

Accept the License Agreement and select Next >.

Microsoft VS Code Setup window with options to select the Destination Location folder. Below, the Next button is highlighted.

Set the installation location for VS Code on the computer and select Next >.

Microsoft VS Code Setup window with options to select the Start Menu Folder. Below, the Next button is highlighted.

Create a Start Menu Folder for VS Code and select Next >.

Microsoft VS Code Setup window with options to select additional tasks. The options include creating a Desktop icon, adding an Open with Code action to the File Explorer context menu, and adding VS Code to the PATH. In this example, every option checkbox is checked. Below, the Next button is highlighted.

Configure the installation by selecting the additional tasks to perform while installing VS Code and select Next >.

Microsoft VS Code Setup window that is now ready to install. The selected additional tasks are listed for review. Below, the Install button is highlighted.

Confirm the installation options, then select Install to start the installation.

Microsoft VS Code Setup window with a progress bar and a message that reads Installing, please wait while Setup installs Visual Studio Code on your computer.

The installation will proceed.

Microsoft VS Code Setup window with a message that reads Completing the Visual Studio Code Setup Wizard. There is an option to Launch VS Code, and below there is a Finish button.

Once the installation is complete, select Finish to exit the installation and launch VS Code.

VS Code application is opened with no project selected.

VS Code will open.

Installing the VEX Extension, C/C++ Extension, and Python Extension

To create projects using the VEX platform in VS Code, we need to install the VEX Extension, which supports C/C++ and Python programming languages.

To enable Intellisense/Linting for both C/C++ and Python, the C/C++ Extension and the Python Extension will need to be installed. The VEX VS Code Extension will set up VEX projects to work with these extensions automatically.

The Extension icon on the side menu of VS Code is highlighted.

Select the Extension icon in the VS Code Activity Bar.

VS Code Extensions side menu is opened and VEX Robotics has been typed into the menu's search bar. The search results are shown below, and the VEX Robotics Extension is the first option listed.

Type "VEX Robotics" in the search bar. The VEX Robotics Extension will appear in the side bar below. Select Install.

VS Code Extensions side menu is opened and the VEX Robotics and VEX Robotics Feedback extensions have been installed. Both of the extensions now have Manage gear icons, and the side bar shows the VEX Robotics Extension icon.

Once the installation is complete, Install will be replaced with a Manage Gear button, both the VEX Robotics Extension and the VEX Robotics Feedback Extension will be installed, and the VEX icon will appear in the VS Code Activity Bar.

VS Code Extensions side menu is opened and C/C++ has been typed into the menu's search bar. The search results are shown below, and the Microsoft C/C++ Extension is the first option listed.

Type “C/C++” in the search bar. The Microsoft C/C++ Extension will appear in the sidebar below. Select Install.

VS Code Extensions side menu is opened and the Microsoft C/C++ Extension has been installed. The Manage gear icon on the extension is highlighted.

Once the installation is complete, Install will be replaced with a Manage Gear button.

VS Code Extensions side menu is opened and Python has been typed into the menu's search bar. The search results are shown below, and the Microsoft Python Extension is the first option listed.

Type “Python” in the search bar. The Microsoft Python Extension will appear in the sidebar. Select Install.

VS Code Extensions side menu is opened and the Microsoft Python Extension has been installed. The Manage gear icon on the extension is highlighted.

Once the installation is complete, Install will be replaced with a Manage Gear button

The VEX Extension, the VEX Robotics Feedback Extension, the C/C++ Extension, and the Python Extension are installed and can be found under the INSTALLED category in the sidebar.