There is a code editor "VS Code" which apparently
can be set up for many languages etc, looks pretty
popular. Any impressions ?

It is good.   I prefer Vi to edit my code but VS Code has become a default building block for many low level build environments.    Many different embedded platforms use it to build their environment.    

Hopefully, whatever you are trying to build comes with a Cheat Sheet telling you the steps to get it setup for whatever you are doing.   Because it has a ton of features and the ability to load all kinds of extensions.   The learning curve to understand it is pretty steep.   But once it is setup correctly for what you are building, you can just focus on what you are doing.

And VS Code is tolerant of the user editing the source files outside of its editor.   So I usually have a couple Vi windows open on the relevant files I'm working on even though VS Code is open also.

  zeitfest said  

There is a code editor "VS Code" which apparently
can be set up for many languages etc, looks pretty
popular. Any impressions ?

I've looked at it a few times, and overall my impression is that it is insanely complex, so much so that I gave up trying to use it.

It makes vi look easy-peasy

I usually use the KDE editor Kate for most things.

Andy

  Andy-g0poy said  

I've looked at it a few times, and overall my impression is that it is insanely complex, so much so that I gave up trying to use it.

It makes vi look easy-peasy

Yes.  This is true.   VS Code isn't something I would use for normal stuff.   But many large open source code bases do use it because it is very powerful and can be expanded in what ever direction is needed.

And with a large user base, that isn't a problem.  Somebody will create a Cheat Sheet and help you to get things configured so it builds the environment for your hardware and according to your desires.  

But...   For anything being done for yourself...    You don't want to use it.

If you tinker with large open source projects, you will have to learn how to get it installed and how to use its basic functions.

Hi,

I like VS code - I am using it for all sorts of project. You can use it as a simple editor but also for complex tool chains. The latter can get quite complicated, though there are packages that do lots of the setting up work for you.

It works nicely with git repositories and offers binding in AI (e.g., Claude, ChatGTP). I also like the fact that it is available for all (?) operating systems, including Rasbian OS, and the look-and-feel is always much the same.

Best
Thomas

I've been using VS Code for over 8 years. I love the Jetbrains' IDEs like CLion, PyCharm, WebStorm, IntelliJ, etc, but they are heavy, and I'm reserving them for complex projects. For anything else I use VS Code. My MM Basic game port Knightmare was written entire using VS Code. I did same adjustments to make the editor to recognize .inc files as Visual Basic code. It works pretty well.

I just did another attempt to generate syntax highlighting for MMBasic with Claude and -- expect for a rather lengthy dialog about how to install it properly -- it worked pretty well. Since the complete PDF was too large for Claude's context, I gave it only the pages that list and explains the commands.

Note that I used Revision 0 (10 July 2025) of the manual (is there a newer one?), hence some recent commands may be missing.

The extension is contained in this zip:
mmbasic_vscode_syntax-1.0.0.zip

After unzipping it somewhere,
1) in VS Code, press Ctrl+Shift+P
2) Type: Extensions: Install from VSIX
3) Navigate to the unzipped folder
4) Select mmbasic-1.0.0.vsix
5) Click Install
6) Restart VS Code when prompted

The highlighting looks fine but I did not check it yet in detail.

Cheers
Thomas

I have been using VS code for about 5 years with the platformIO add on to edit and compile Marlin firmware for my older 3d printers.

The install looks like it expects Git and so on to be used and installed
as well, so there are some caveats. The install itself is easy though.
On one hand the assumptions are a bit exasperating and it makes the
learning curve steeper, however I do need to modernize a bit so I will
go along with it. (grumble, moan, whine      ) It also has
"Google Copilot" which is included as a AI assistant.
There are plenty of extensions to handle most languages so that is good.
Good idea to use Claude...I wonder if these AI tools accept Backus-Naur
language definition (if it is still used) ?

If anything includes AI then I don't want it. Didn't ask for it. Don't trust it. Will only switch it off.

Signed: Mr. Grumpy


:)

  Mixtel90 said  

If anything includes AI then I don't want it. Didn't ask for it. Don't trust it. Will only switch it off.

At the beginning, it also tended to annoy me, with its constant suggestions and nagging about my code .. but fortunately, there is a button to switch if off

  zeitfest said  

The install looks like it expects Git and so on to be used and installed as well, so there are some caveats.

Git is useful to manage projects, but you don't need to install it, I think. On the positive side -- if you want to use AI -- connecting your GitHub account gives you access to co-pilot, if you have it there (it comes with some GitHub accounts, e.g., the educational ones).

@Bill.b Nice dog!

I dunno, I sort of use it for everything.