VS Code: Building the Project

In a previous article I have imported an example project. Now I want to compile and build it.

Traditionally, the build action inside VS Code is somewhat hidden. There is a keyboard shortcut, but recent additions to VS Code making the build action more accessible.

Multiple ways to start a build in Visual Studio Code
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VS Code: MCUXpresso SDK Repository

In a previous article I have installed the MCUXpresso extension and used the MCUXpresso Installer to install the necessary development tools.

In this article I’m going to import the SDK.

Import Repository in VS Code
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Assigning Nicknames to Debug Probes

Dealing with and debugging distributed systems, I end up with multiple debug probes and target boards on my desk. When starting a debugging session, it can be hard to identify a debug probe by its serial number. What I do in such a situation: put a color stick on the debug probe and have it assigned a nickname.

Debug Probes with Nicknames

That nickname then shows up during the debug connection, and I’m sure I connect to the right probe and board that way.

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VS Code: MCUXpresso Installer

VS Code is managing its extensions (see VS Code: MCUXpresso Extension). But to make it usable for embedded development, you need more tools: compiler, linker, debugger, libraries, build system, debug probe support, …

For the experts, this is not a big deal: you know where to get them, and you install them, as shown with another tutorial. But for a class full of students or newcomers to VS Code, this can be a a time consuming and daunting task.

To make the installation easier, NXP has released a ‘dependency checker and installer’ along with their VS Code extension, which makes the setup much easier and simpler.

MCUXpresso Installer
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VS Code: MCUXpresso Extension

In essence, VS Code is only a text editor, although with very nice features. An editor which can be enhanced with so called extensions. With the right set of extensions, VS Code can be specialized for web development, or even LaTeX documenting. Or as in the case of this article series, for embedded development.

Installed VS Code Extensions
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VS Code: Getting Started, literally

This is another article in my series about Visual Studio Code. After having it installed (see VS Code: IDE Installation), this one is about starting the IDE

I can start the IDE from the shortcut (if created during the installation) or by typing code in console/command prompt shell (e.g. Windows PowerShell). To be able to use the code command requires VS Code to be present in the PATH.

Starting VS Code
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VS Code: Uninstall completely

Nothing has to last forever, and VS Code might not be the right thing for everyone. VS Code can go overboard with all the extensions and things it had proposed to install. Up to a point that one needs to get re-started again. Or because you tasted VS Code, but you did not like it.

That’s OK, you can uninstall it, after you have installed it (see VS Code: IDE Installation). The catch is: the uninstall does not a full removal, as settings and extensions do not get removed.

This article shows how to fully uninstall VS Code.

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