Visual Studio Code
 | |
| Type | Source-code editor |
|---|---|
| Developer | Microsoft |
| Initial release | 2015 |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Built on | Electron |
| Website | code.visualstudio.com |
Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is a free source-code editor developed by Microsoft for Windows, macOS, and Linux. It includes tools for editing, debugging, version control, and an integrated terminal, and can be extended with thousands of extensions. It is the most widely used development environment among programmers according to Stack Overflow's annual developer survey.[1][2]
History
Microsoft announced Visual Studio Code at its Build developer conference in 2015 as a free, cross-platform editor, separate from its full Visual Studio development environment.[3] In November 2015, Microsoft released the editor's source code as open source, and version 1.0 followed in April 2016. The editor is built on Electron, a framework that combines web technologies with native desktop applications.[4]
Features and usage
VS Code's extension marketplace adds support for programming languages, themes, debuggers, and other tools. The same extensibility has led to uses beyond software development, including Markdown writing and personal knowledge management.[1] Foam, for example, is a note-taking and knowledge-base system that runs inside VS Code.[5]
In Stack Overflow's 2025 developer survey, VS Code was the most used development environment for the fifth year in a row.[2]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Visual Studio Code documentation". Microsoft. Retrieved October 13, 2026.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Technology — 2025 Stack Overflow Developer Survey". Stack Overflow. Retrieved October 16, 2026.
- ↑ "Top News from May 2015". Visual Studio Blog. Retrieved October 16, 2026.
- ↑ April 14, 2016. "Visual Studio Code 1.0!". Visual Studio Code. Retrieved October 16, 2026.
- ↑ "Foam documentation". Foam. Retrieved October 13, 2026.