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If you are writing software to share with others using the Arduino IDE, VS Code Arduino will let you do that without changes to your code.
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I need to write library software that Arduino IDE users could consume, so the examples I create need to be tested and run from the Arduino IDE environment. One thing I like about the VS Code Arduino approach is that it stays close enough to the Arduino IDE environment that switching back and forth between the two is not difficult. Enough about VS Code if you aren’t convinced yet, look around and you won’t have to look far. Because of its popularity there are some great extensions for a huge list of development scenarios. Runs anywhere means Windows (of course) but also Linux 圆4 and macOS on Apple devices.įor those of you with experience in Visual Studio, VS Code is a lightweight sibling with a short learning curve. If you aren’t familiar with VS Code, it is a highly extensible, open-source, runs anywhere code editor. But for those of us creating something more, it doesn’t have the horsepower we are used to and need for productive development.Įnter Visual Studio Code Arduino, a nice extension to Microsoft Visual Studio Code for creating embedded applications in the Arduino style. The Arduino IDE is a good set of training wheels for simple projects and a straight-forward tool for non-developers to get started creating IoT embedded applications. I also know there are experienced developers out there familiar with enterprise software tools that find the Arduino IDE frustratingly simple.
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Based on the popularity of the “Feather” form-factor created by Adafruit, there are numerous people out there working with a similar setup to one I use frequently.
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