Exercise - Install Visual Studio Code and the Go extension

Completed

You can use any text editor to write Go applications. An integrated development environment (IDE) like Visual Studio Code helps you write code faster. An IDE provides language support, so you don't have to write every line from scratch. When you're learning a programming language, writing line-by-line helps you get familiar with the syntax. In the long term, writing code by hand takes longer to build an application.

For this reason, we recommend you start by using Visual Studio Code, which is free and open-source. Visual Studio Code offers a Go extension to help you write code fast.

By using Visual Studio Code and the Go extension, you can:

  • Format applications following Go standards.
  • Add package references as soon as you add a new line and save your code.
  • Remove package references that your application isn't using anymore.
  • Debug your applications by setting breakpoints and using watchers at runtime.
  • Get suggested completions for code and package references.
  • Use hover information to connect to the code documentation.
  • Get signature help, such as listing a function's parameters.
  • Navigate the project code easily even if you have multiple files.
  • Enlist support for testing, such as generating test skeletons for functions.

Install Visual Studio Code on Linux

Step 1: Download the Visual Studio Code installer

On the Visual Studio Code page, select the Linux box, and then select the .deb or .rpm option. Your choice depends on whether your Linux distribution uses Debian (DEB)-based or Red Hat Package Manager (RPM)-based package managers. You're prompted to save the file locally.

Step 2: Start the Visual Studio Code installer

Locate and open the file you downloaded. Follow the instructions to install the app on your workstation.

  • During the installation, if you're provided a choice to add the application to your $PATH system environment variable, select the option.

Step 3: Start Visual Studio Code

When the installation is complete, open Visual Studio Code to confirm that it's working.

Install Visual Studio Code on macOS

Step 1: Download Visual Studio Code

On the Visual Studio Code page, select the Mac box to download the app. You're prompted to save the file locally.

Step 2: Move the app to the Applications folder

Locate the Visual Studio Code file you downloaded. Move the file to the Applications folder in the Finder.

Step 3: Start the app from the Applications folder

From the Applications folder, double-click the Visual Studio Code icon to start the app.

Note

You might see a warning message that Visual Studio Code can't be opened because Apple can't check it for malicious software. If so, do the following:

  1. Select OK to dismiss the message.
  2. In the Applications folder, right-click (or Control-click) the Visual Studio Code file, and then select Open.

If you choose this option, Visual Studio Code should open without any further issues.

You can install Visual Studio Code by using a package manager like APT (Advanced Package Tool) or YUM (Yellowdog Updater, Modified).

  • During the installation, if you're provided a choice to add the application to your $PATH system environment variable, select the option.

Install Visual Studio Code on Windows

Step 1: Download the Visual Studio Code installer

On the Visual Studio Code page, select the Windows box. You're prompted to save the file locally.

Step 2: Start the Visual Studio Code installer

Locate and open the file you downloaded. Follow the instructions to install the app on your workstation.

  • During the installation, if you're provided a choice to add the application to your $PATH system environment variable, select the option.

Step 3: Start Visual Studio Code

When the installation is complete, open Visual Studio Code to confirm that it's working.

Install the Go extension for Visual Studio Code

The Go extension for Visual Studio Code helps you write apps more efficiently. In the module exercises, you'll learn some benefits of using an IDE to write Go code.

Step 1: Open the Extensions view

Open Visual Studio Code, and then open the Extensions view. There are two ways you can open the view:

  • Select View, and then select Extensions.
  • On the left toolbar, select the Extensions icon.

Step 2: Search for the Go extension

In the Search Extensions in Marketplace box, enter Go.

Select the Go extension that's published by the "Go Team at Google" (usually the first one in the list).

The extension details are displayed at the right.

Step 3: Install the Go extension

Below the extension description, select the Install button to install it on your workstation.

When the installation is complete, the button label changes to Uninstall, which indicates that the extension has been installed successfully.