VS Code
VS Code (Visual Studio Code) is a free code editor from Microsoft. With its Python and Jupyter extensions, it runs notebooks right inside the editor.
It runs on Mac, Windows and Linux. The parts you'll use most: the file explorer on the left, the Extensions panel (the four-squares icon), the Command Palette (Ctrl+Shift+P, or Cmd+Shift+P on a Mac) and the built-in terminal (View → Terminal).
If you come from RStudio, VS Code plays the same role for Python: one window for your files, your code and its output.
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Related terms
- Extension
An extension is an add-on you install in an app like VS Code to give it new abilities, such as running Python or opening notebooks.
- Command Palette
The Command Palette is VS Code's search box for every command it has. Open it with Ctrl+Shift+P (Cmd+Shift+P on a Mac), type a few words and press Enter.
- Jupyter notebook
A Jupyter notebook is a file (ending in .ipynb) that mixes code, its results and notes in cells. You run one cell at a time and see its output right below it.
- Terminal
A terminal is a window where you type commands for your computer instead of clicking. You type a line, press Enter, and the computer answers in text.