How to execute Python code from within Visual Studio Code

Question

Visual Studio Code was recently released and I liked the look of it and the features it offered, so I figured I would give it a go.

I downloaded the application from the downloads page, fired it up, messed around a bit with some of the features ... and then realized I had no idea how to actually execute any of my Python code!

I really like the look and feel/usability/features of Visual Studio Code, but I can't seem to find out how to run my Python code, a real killer because that's what I program primarily in.

Is there is a way to execute Python code in Visual Studio Code?

Answer 1

There is a much easier way to run Python, and it doesn't need any configuration:

1. Install the Code Runner Extension.
2. Open the Python code file in Text Editor.
3. To run Python code:

• use shortcut Ctrl + Alt + N
• or press F1 and then select/type Run Code,
• or right click the Text Editor and then click Run Code in the editor context menu
• or click the Run Code button in the editor title menu
• or click Run Code button in the context menu of file explorer

4. To stop the running code:

• use shortcut Ctrl + Alt + M
• or press F1 and then select/type Stop Code Run
• or right click the Output Channel and then click Stop Code Run in the context menu

If you want to add the Python path, you could go to File → Preference → Settings, and add the Python path like below:

"code-runner.executorMap":
{
  "python": "\"C:\\Program Files\\Python35\\python.exe\" -u"
}

In case you have installed the Python extension and manually set your interpreter already, you could configure your settings.json file as follows:

{
    "python.pythonPath": "C:\\\\python36\\\\python36.exe",
    "code-runner.executorMap":
    {
        "python": "$pythonPath -u $fullFileName"
    }
}