Install VS Code (Recommended)

Why VS Code?

VS Code (Visual Studio Code) is a professional, lightweight code editor used by developers worldwide. While RStudio handles R code well, VS Code is excellent for:

  • Writing Python scripts for data analysis and automation
  • Managing Git repositories and GitHub
  • Working with multiple file types (R, Python, Markdown, JSON, etc.)
  • Version control and collaboration
  • Building a professional development workflow

This is optional but highly recommended if you plan to work with Python or want to explore coding beyond this course.

System Requirements

  • Windows 10+, macOS 10.12+, or Linux (most distributions)
  • At least 200 MB of disk space
  • Works on all computers that can run R and RStudio

Step 1: Download VS Code

  1. Go to code.visualstudio.com
  2. Click the large “Download” button
  3. Select your operating system:
    • Windows: Choose “Windows (64-bit)” or “Windows (32-bit)”
    • macOS: Choose based on your processor (Intel or Apple Silicon)
    • Linux: Choose your distribution (Ubuntu, Debian, Red Hat, etc.)

Step 2: Install VS Code

For Windows

  1. Run the downloaded .exe file
  2. Click “I accept the agreement” → Next
  3. Choose installation location (default is fine) → Next
  4. Click through all remaining options → Install
  5. Click Finish

For macOS

  1. Open the downloaded .dmg file
  2. Drag the VS Code icon to the Applications folder
  3. Wait for the copy process to complete
  4. Open Applications → Double-click Visual Studio Code

For Linux (Ubuntu/Debian)

Open Terminal and run:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install code

Step 3: First Launch

When you open VS Code for the first time:

  1. You’ll see a Welcome tab
  2. The interface has:
    • Left Sidebar: File explorer, search, source control, extensions
    • Editor (center): Where you write code
    • Bottom Panel: Terminal, debugging, problems
    • Top Bar: File, Edit, View, Run menus

Step 5: Connect to GitHub

If you created a GitHub account (from our GitHub setup guide), you can integrate it with VS Code:

  1. Click the Source Control icon (left sidebar, branch symbol)
  2. Click Sign in with GitHub
  3. Complete the authentication in your browser
  4. Return to VS Code (it should be authorized)

Now you can: - Clone repositories directly into VS Code - View Git history visually - Commit and push changes - Manage GitHub issues and PRs

Step 6: Create Your First Project

Let’s create a simple project folder:

  1. Click File → Open Folder
  2. Create or select a folder (e.g., ~/Documents/mc451-code)
  3. Click Select Folder

You now have a workspace. Let’s create a file:

  1. Click the New File icon (top of the file explorer)
  2. Name it hello.py
  3. Type this Python code:
# My first Python script
message = "Hello, Communication Liaison!"
print(message)
  1. Press Ctrl+S (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+S (Mac) to save
  2. Click the Run button (play icon, top right) or press Ctrl+Shift+D

You should see the output in the Terminal:

Hello, Communication Liaison!

Step 7: Set Up an Integrated Terminal

VS Code has a built-in terminal (great for running Git commands):

  1. Press Ctrl+` (backtick, below Escape key) or go to View → Terminal
  2. The terminal opens at the bottom
  3. You can now run:
    • git status to check your repository status
    • python script.py to run Python files
    • R --vanilla to start an R session
  4. Type exit to close the terminal

Step 8: Keyboard Shortcuts (Essential)

Action Windows/Linux Mac
Open file Ctrl+O Cmd+O
Save file Ctrl+S Cmd+S
Find text Ctrl+F Cmd+F
Replace Ctrl+H Cmd+H
Open terminal Ctrl+| Ctrl+
Format document Shift+Alt+F Shift+Opt+F
Add comment Ctrl+/ Cmd+/
Go to line Ctrl+G Cmd+G

Step 9: Clone a GitHub Repository

If you created a GitHub project, you can work on it in VS Code:

  1. Click the Source Control icon (left sidebar)
  2. Click Clone Repository
  3. Paste your GitHub repo URL (from github.com)
  4. Choose a folder to save it
  5. Click Open when prompted

Your entire repository is now in VS Code, and you can edit, commit, and push changes.

Step 10: Settings & Customization

Change the Theme

  1. Go to File → Preferences → Theme → Color Theme
  2. Browse options (popular: Dark+, Light+, Dracula, One Dark Pro)
  3. Click to apply

Change Font Size

  1. Go to File → Preferences → Settings
  2. Search for “font size”
  3. Change the number (default is 14)

Auto-Format on Save

  1. Go to File → Preferences → Settings
  2. Search for “format on save”
  3. Check the box

Useful Workflow: Editing Code + Git Integration

Typical workflow for an assignment:

  1. Open your project folder in VS Code
  2. Create/edit files in the editor
  3. Save your changes (Ctrl+S)
  4. Open Terminal (Ctrl+`)
  5. Check status: git status
  6. Add changes: git add .
  7. Commit: git commit -m "Update analysis script"
  8. Push: git push
  9. Verify on GitHub: Go to github.com and refresh

Common Issues & Fixes

“Python not found”

Problem: VS Code can’t find Python.

Solution: 1. Make sure you installed Python (go back to your system settings) 2. In VS Code, press Ctrl+Shift+P (Cmd+Shift+P on Mac) 3. Type “Python: Select Interpreter” 4. Choose your Python installation from the list

Extensions Won’t Install

Problem: You can’t install an extension.

Solution: 1. Check your internet connection 2. Try uninstalling and reinstalling VS Code 3. Try installing the extension from the Extension Marketplace website instead

Terminal Says “git: command not found”

Problem: Git isn’t working in the terminal.

Solution: Make sure you installed Git (see our GitHub setup guide). Restart VS Code after installing.

When to Use VS Code vs RStudio

Task Best Tool
Writing R code RStudio (better for data analysis)
Writing Python code VS Code (better for scripting)
Quick data analysis RStudio
Automated data pipelines VS Code
Managing Git VS Code (more powerful tools)
Learning R RStudio (more beginner-friendly)

Pro tip: Use RStudio for analysis, VS Code for automation and version control!

Next Steps

  1. ✅ Installed VS Code
  2. ✅ Installed extensions (Python, R, Git, Prettier)
  3. ✅ Created a test project
  4. ✅ Learned basic keyboard shortcuts
  5. Next: Start working on Phase 1 assignments!

Resources

Questions?

VS Code has a steep initial learning curve, but it’s an investment that pays off for your entire programming career. If you get stuck:

  1. Try pressing F1 in VS Code (opens the command palette—search for what you need)
  2. Check VS Code’s official documentation
  3. Come to office hours—we’ll explore VS Code together

This is optional, but worth learning! 💻