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

The 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 in red below the heading.

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

Screenshot of the VS Code extension interface for VEX IQ, showcasing features and tools for programming VEX IQ robots, designed to assist educators and students in learning robotics concepts effectively.

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

Screenshot of the VS Code Extension for VEX IQ, showcasing features and tools designed to support programming and development for the VEX IQ Robotics platform, aimed at educational purposes and beginner robotics enthusiasts.

Accept the License Agreement and select Next >.

Screenshot of the VS Code Extension interface for VEX IQ, showcasing features and tools for programming VEX IQ robotics projects, designed to assist educators and students in enhancing their robotics skills and understanding.

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

Screenshot of the VS Code Extension interface for VEX IQ, showcasing features and tools designed to assist users in programming VEX IQ robots, with a focus on educational resources and beginner-friendly programming options.

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

Screenshot of the VS Code Extension interface for VEX IQ, showcasing features and tools designed to assist users in programming VEX IQ robotics projects, aimed at enhancing educational experiences for beginners and enthusiasts.

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

Screenshot of the VS Code Extension interface for VEX IQ, showcasing features and tools designed to assist users in programming VEX IQ robots, with menus and options highlighted for educational and beginner robotics enthusiasts.

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

Screenshot of the VS Code Extension interface for VEX IQ, showcasing features and tools designed to assist users in programming VEX IQ robots, with a focus on enhancing educational experiences in robotics.

The installation will proceed.

Screenshot of the VS Code Extension interface for VEX IQ, displaying features and options for programming VEX IQ robots, designed to assist educators and students in enhancing their robotics skills and project development.

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

Screenshot of the VS Code Extension interface for VEX IQ, showcasing features and tools designed to assist users in programming VEX IQ robots, including code editing, debugging options, and project management functionalities.

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.

Select the Extension icon in the VS Code Activity Bar.

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

Screenshot of the VS Code Extension interface for VEX IQ, showcasing features and tools designed to support programming for the VEX IQ Robotics platform, aimed at educational users and beginner robotics enthusiasts.

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.

Screenshot of the VS Code extension interface for VEX IQ, showcasing features and tools designed to assist users in programming VEX IQ robots, including code editing, debugging options, and project management functionalities.

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

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

Screenshot of the VS Code extension interface for VEX IQ, showcasing features and tools designed to assist users in programming their VEX IQ robotics projects effectively.

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

Screenshot of the VS Code Extension interface for VEX IQ, showcasing features and tools designed to assist users in programming VEX IQ robotics projects, with a focus on educational resources and beginner-friendly functionalities.

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.