As you may know, Visual Studio Code is a popular free and cross platform text editor and IDE developed by Microsoft, being available for Mac OS X, Windows and Linux,
Among others, it has built-in debugging support, embedded Git control, syntax highlighting, code completion, integrated terminal, code refactoring and snippets, being very popular among developers and programmers.
The latest version available is Visual Studio Code 1.9.6, which comes with the below changes and enhancements:
- GitHub Copilot Free – Use Copilot for free with the GitHub Copilot Free plan
- Overtype mode – Switch between overwrite or insert mode in the editor
- Add imports on paste – Automatically add missing TS/JS imports when pasting code
- Test coverage – Quickly filter which code is covered by a specific test
- Move views – Easily move views between the Primary and Secondary Side Bar
- Terminal ligatures – Use ligatures in the terminal
- Extension allow list – Configure which extensions can be installed in your organization
- Debug with Copilot – Use copilot-debug terminal command to start a debugging session
- Chat context – Add symbols and folders as context Chat and Edits
- Move from chat to Copilot Edits – Switch to Copilot Edits to apply code suggestions from Chat
How to install Visual Studio Code 1.96 on Ubuntu 24.10, Ubuntu 24.04, Ubuntu 22.04, Linux Mint, Debian and other Linux systems, via Snap:
What is Snap?
Snap is a package management system developed by Canonical, the creators of Ubuntu. It allows applications to be packaged with all their dependencies, making installations easier and reducing compatibility issues across different Linux distributions.
One of the key advantages of Snap packages is that they run in a sandboxed environment, which enhances security and stability. Additionally, Snap packages are updated automatically in the background, ensuring that users always have the latest version of an application without manual intervention.
However, some users may find that Snap applications take up more disk space due to bundling dependencies, and they may have slightly slower startup times compared to traditional DEB packages.
Prepare Snap, If Needed
On Ubuntu, Snap is pre-installed, but if you are using a Linux distribution where Snap is not integrated by default, you can install it using the following command:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install snapdAfter installing Snap, you may need to enable and start the Snap service:
sudo systemctl enable --now snapdInstall Visual Studio Code via Snap
Since Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is officially available as a Snap package, installing it on Ubuntu and other Snap-supported Linux distributions is straightforward. Open a terminal and run the following command:
sudo snap install --classic codeThe --classic flag is required because VS Code needs access to system-wide development tools and libraries, which are restricted in a standard Snap sandbox.
(Optional) Uninstall Visual Studio Code Using Snap
If you ever need to remove VS Code, you can do so with the following command:
sudo snap remove codeThis will remove the application but leave your configuration and extensions intact. If you want to completely remove all settings, manually delete the configuration directory:
rm -rf ~/.config/Code3 Simple Reasons Why Developers Prefer VS Code
- Extensive Extension Marketplace
VS Code features a vast extension marketplace, allowing developers to add support for various programming languages, tools, and frameworks. From Git integrations to AI-powered coding assistants, the extension ecosystem enhances productivity significantly. - Lightweight and Fast
Unlike other full-fledged IDEs, VS Code is lightweight while still offering powerful features. It loads quickly, consumes fewer system resources, and provides a seamless coding experience, even on older hardware. - Built-in Git and Debugging Tools
VS Code has integrated Git support, making version control straightforward without the need for external tools. Additionally, it includes a powerful built-in debugger that supports multiple programming languages, making development more efficient.
Conclusion
By following the steps above, you can easily install and manage Visual Studio Code on your Linux system using Snap. Snap provides a convenient and secure way to install software, ensuring that your applications are always up to date with minimal maintenance.
Whether you are a beginner or an experienced developer, VS Code offers a powerful yet lightweight coding environment with extensive extensions and customization options.
Happy coding!
