Installing Visual Studio Code on Ubuntu

Here’s a simple guide to get you started with installing Visual Studio Code (VS Code) on Ubuntu. Don’t worry, we’ll keep it straightforward!

Option 1: Using the Terminal (Recommended)

1. Open your terminal. You can do this by pressing Ctrl + Alt + T.
2. First, make sure your system is up-to-date. Run:

   sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

3. Now, add the Microsoft GPG key and repository:

               wget -qO - https://packages.microsoft.com/keys/microsoft.asc | sudo apt-key add -
               sudo add-apt-repository "deb [arch=amd64] https://packages.microsoft.com/repos/vscode stable main"
               

4. Finally, install VS Code using:

   sudo apt install code

5. Once the installation is complete, you can open VS Code from your applications menu or by typing code in the terminal.

Option 2: Using Snap

If you prefer Snap packages, which are easy to manage, you can install VS Code this way too:

1. Install VS Code with the following command:

   sudo snap install --classic code

2. After installation, run it by typing code in the terminal or find it in your applications.

Comparing .deb vs. Snap

Both methods work well, but here’s a quick comparison:

• .deb file: Native to Debian-based distros. Generally faster startup but requires manual updates.
• Snap: More convenient for updates, and isolation from system libraries which can prevent some conflicts but might be slightly slower.

Dependencies

You usually won’t need to install additional dependencies for VS Code. If anything is required, the installation process will prompt you.

Common Pitfalls

• Ensure you have a stable internet connection during installation.
• Running commands with sudo might prompt you for your password; just type it in (you won’t see it appear).
• If you’re using Snap and it doesn’t work right away, restart your computer to ensure everything is set up correctly.

Once you have VS Code up and running, dive into some tutorials or documentation to start coding. You got this!