In simple English
This is a program for writing and editing computer code. It highlights text in different colours to make it easy to read. You can add extra plugins to support new languages and tools. It runs on Windows, macOS and Linux. It is free to download and use.
What it is
Visual Studio Code is an extensible code editor built on web technologies and TypeScript (a programming language that adds strict types to JavaScript). This repository contains the open-source core engine known as Code - OSS.
What it is good for
Solo builders who need a fast, customisable editor for writing software, managing files and running commands in a terminal.
- Large library of extensions adds support for almost any language or tool.
- Built-in terminal and Git (a system for tracking changes in code) integration make workflow simple.
- Active community and frequent monthly updates keep the software modern.
- Can consume significant RAM when many plugins run at once.
- Building the editor from this raw source code requires substantial computer resources and time.
- Official downloaded builds include telemetry data collection by default.
Sublime Text or Notepad++
Git
- xtool-org/xtool11k stars
Builds, signs and installs iPhone apps from Linux or Windows, using Swift's own package manager instead of the vendor's tool.
- vitest-dev/vitest17k stars
A test runner for JavaScript and TypeScript that reuses a project's existing Vite build settings.
- oxc-project/oxc23k stars
Fast replacements for the usual JavaScript checker, formatter, parser and minifier, usable one piece at a time.
Download the installer directly from the Visual Studio Code website for your operating system.