Visual Studio Code (VS Code) has become the text editor of choice for developers everywhere. Its power, customizability and extension ecosystem have made it an essential tool for developers. Microsoft continues to push the limits of what’s possible with VS Code with each release.
The Latest VS Code Update: In Depth
To really understand the latest VS Code update you need to get into the nitty gritty of what’s new. Let’s dive in:
1. Performance
- Faster Startup: One of the most obvious changes in the latest update is the much faster startup time. This is great for developers who switch between projects or open multiple instances of VS Code.
- Smoother Editing: The editor itself feels snappier, less laggy and stuttery especially when working with large files or complex projects.
2. IntelliSense
- Better Code Completions: The IntelliSense engine has been tuned to give more accurate and context aware code suggestions. So you can write code faster and with fewer errors.
- Better Symbol Search: Finding symbols in your codebase is now easier than ever. Symbol search has been improved to give quicker results and more filters.
3. Better Debugging
- More Powerful Debugging: Debugging tools have been beefed up so you can inspect variables, set breakpoints and step through code faster.
- Better Debugging for Remote Development: Remote debugging is now smoother so you can debug applications running on remote machines or containers.
4. New Extensions
- More Extensions: The VS Code extension marketplace is growing and has more extensions to help you be more productive and efficient.
- Better Extension Management: Extension management is better so you can find, install and update extensions more easily.
5. More Accessible
- Accessibility Features: VS Code has gotten a lot better at being accessible for developers with disabilities.
- Screen Reader: Screen readers work better with VS Code now, for visually impaired developers.
How to Keep VS Code Up to Date
Make sure you’re running the latest version of VS Code to get the latest features and security fixes. Here’s how:
- Check for Updates Manually:
- Open VS Code.
- Go to the Help menu.
- Select Check for Updates.
- If an update is available, follow the prompts to install it.
- Enable Automatic Updates:
- Open VS Code.
- Go to File > Preferences > Settings.
- Search for “Update” in the search bar.
- Enable the Updates: Check for Updates on Startup option.
The latest VS Code update is a big deal for developers. With its performance, IntelliSense, debugging and growing extension ecosystem, VS Code is the code editor. By keeping up to date you’ll get the most out of this powerful tool and streamline your workflow.
More Tips for VS Code
- Customize Your Workspace: Customize your VS Code environment to your liking by changing themes, fonts, keybindings and more.
- Use Extensions: There are many extensions to help you with your workflow. Some popular ones are:
- GitLens: See Git history and blame in the editor.
- Prettier – Code formatter: Format code according to style guide.
- Live Server: Preview HTML, CSS and JavaScript files in a local web server.
- Learn Keyboard Shortcuts: Master keyboard shortcuts to speed up your workflow.
- Use Code Snippets: Create and use your own code snippets to automate tasks.
- Stay with the Community: Join online forums and communities to learn from other devs and get the latest tips.
By doing this you’ll get the most out of this tool and level up your development.
