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

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.

Open an internet browser and navigate to https://code.visualstudio.com/, the homepage of the VS Code Website. Select the 'Download for Windows' button to start to download the VS Code installer for Windows. Wait for the download to finish.

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

Once the download is complete, open File Explorer by selecting the File Explorer icon on the taskbar, or by typing in “File Explorer” in the Windows Search bar and selecting the File Explorer App, or by pressing the Windows logo key + E on the keyboard.

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.

Find the VS Code installer in the Downloads folder by selecting 'Downloads' under Quick access. Select the VS Code installer file 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 Visual Studio Code on the computer. Accept the default location for installation by selecting '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 Visual Studio Code. Accept the default setting by selecting '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 installation. Select 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.

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, click Finish to exit the installation and launch Visual Studio Code (by default).

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.

The VS Code is installed and launched on the computer.

For helpful information about how to install VS Code for Windows, please see the article, Visual Studio Code on Windows, on the VS Code Website.

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

To develop software 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 the Install button next to the VEX Robotics Extension to start the installation. Wait for the installation to finish.

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, the Installing button 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 Side Bar below. Select the Install button next to the C/C++ Extension from Microsoft to start the installation. Wait for the installation to finish.

Once the installation is complete, the Installing button 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 Side Bar below. Select the Install button next to the Python Extension from Microsoft to start the installation. Wait for the installation to finish.

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, the Installing button 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 Side Bar. For helpful information about how to find, install, and manage VS Code extensions from the Visual Studio Code Marketplace, please see this article on the VS Code Website.