Using Python in VS Code and Codium

Over the previous couple of years, I’ve had the privilege of working with center faculty kids to introduce them to Python coding and the Raspberry Pi 400. It’s been a number of enjoyable, and the Pi has been an important platform for the scholars and me. We’ve used Code with Mu and it has been fairly profitable. Our aptitude with Python has grown with expertise, and so not too long ago I began in search of methods to supply these college students extra.

I participated in a Python studying class, and through that class I obtained launched to Microsoft’s Visual Studio Code. I discovered rather a lot in that class about how you can arrange a digital atmosphere for Python, and how you can configure VS Code for Python programming. During that studying journey, I additionally obtained launched to Codium, which is actually VS Code with out Microsoft’s branding and telemetry.

If you are in search of a superb, general-purpose, open supply code editor with Python integration, then you definately would possibly give Codium a attempt. Here’s how I obtained Codium arrange for Python on my Linux system.

Install or replace Python on Linux

First, be sure you are operating the most recent model of Python. You can do that together with your bundle supervisor. On Debian and Debian-based programs:

$ sudo apt set up python3-pip

On Fedora, CentOS, Mageia, OpenMandriva, and related:

$ sudo dnf replace python3

On some programs, you may additionally want to put in the software program to create Python digital environments:

$ sudo apt set up python3.10-venv

Install Codium

Next, install Codium in your pc. On Linux, you may obtain a bundle and set up it together with your bundle supervisor, or use the Flatpak.

To launch Codium as soon as it is put in, open your utility or Activities menu and sort “Code”.

Install the VS Code Python extension

There’s nothing particular about code. It’s simply plain textual content that will get interpreted by another utility, whether or not it is a compiler or a runtime. You can write Python code in Codium with out particular extensions. However, having a Python extension provides a number of conveniences.

Click on the File menu, choose Preferences, and select Extensions. In the Extensions panel, discover the Python IntelliSense extension.

You’ve obtained Python arrange in Codium. All that is left to do is to place it to good use.

Setup a digital atmosphere for VS Code or Codium

You can create a mission listing and add it to Codium in order that when you work, the recordsdata you create and save default to the energetic mission listing. It’s a quick method to keep organized, and it saves you from having to click on round File Save and Open dialogues continuously.

When you create a digital Python atmosphere as a piece folder, Codium (as a result of you will have the Python extension put in) detects it. When you activate a digital atmosphere folder because the energetic mission listing, Codium robotically runs the activation code required to make use of the digital atmosphere.

To create a digital atmosphere for Python, open a terminal and sort:

$ python3 -m venv ~/PythonCoding

Add a mission listing

In Codium, click on on the File menu and select Add Folder to Workspace. Open the digital atmosphere you’ve got simply arrange (for me, that is /residence/don/PythonCoding.)

Now you are prepared to write down some Python code! Create a brand new Python file in your workspace and insert some fundamental code. You could discover, as you sort, that Codium helpfully suggests auto-completion for the Python modules the atmosphere incorporates.

import sys
print ("Codium running Python " + sys.model)

Now click on the Play button within the high proper nook of the Codium window. This opens a console panel on the backside of the window, displaying the output of your code:

(PythonCode) sh-5.1$ /residence/bogus/PythonCode/bin/python /residence/bogus/PythonCode/app.py
Codium operating Python 3.10.6 (predominant…) [GCC 12.1.0]
(PythonCode) sh-5.1$

As you may see from this output, Codium is operating inside the PythonCode atmosphere, and it is efficiently run your Python code.

Codium and Python

Using Codium for Python makes writing and operating code simpler than ever, however Python is not the one language Codium helps. You can simply discover and set up different extensions from the Open VSX Registry, a vendor-neutral open supply “marketplace” for VS Code extensions.

The Codium interface is extra sophisticated than some fundamental editors, nevertheless it has what I’m in search of at this level in my studying journey. If you are seeking to graduate to one thing skilled, otherwise you’re seeking to change out of your present editor to one thing new, then give Codium a attempt.