Accelerating Coding through GitHub Copilot Integration with Visual Studio Code

Introduction

In the ever-evolving landscape of software development tools, GitHub Copilot and Visual Studio Code (VS Code) have emerged as powerful allies for developers. Applied by artificial intelligence, GitHub Copilot takes coding assistance to a whole new level, while VS Code remains one of the most popular and versatile code editors. In this blog, we’ll delve into the seamless integration of GitHub Copilot with VS Code, highlighting its benefits and addressing common questions.

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GitHub Copilot with VS Code

GitHub Copilot is an AI pair programmer that assists developers in writing code faster and more efficiently. Analyzing context and code patterns generates suggestions, autocompletion, and even entire code snippets. It supports various programming languages and frameworks, making it adaptable to various development environments. GitHub Copilot integrates seamlessly with VS Code, enhancing the editor’s capabilities by offering intelligent code completion, generating accurate documentation, and more.

Steps to Set Up GitHub Copilot in Visual Studio Code

Step 1 – Install Visual Studio Code

If you haven’t already, download and install the latest version of VS Code from the official website (Download Link)

Step 2 – Install GitHub Copilot Extension

Launch VS Code, navigate to the Extensions view (Ctrl+Shift+X), search for “GitHub Copilot,” and click the “Install” button.

step2

Step 3 – Sign in to GitHub

Once installed, click the gear icon in the bottom left corner and select “GitHub Copilot.” Sign in with your GitHub account.

step3

step3b

Step 4 – Authorize Copilot

Follow the prompts to authorize GitHub Copilot to access your GitHub account and repositories.

Step 5 – Start Coding with Copilot

With Copilot installed, you’ll see intelligent code suggestions and completions as you type. Embrace the power of AI-assisted programming by accepting Copilot’s suggestions, modifying code snippets, and learning from its insights.

As you start typing code, GitHub Copilot will provide suggestions and autocompletions based on the context.

Let’s write a simple function to calculate the sum of two numbers:

// Import readline module to get user input
const readline = require('readline').createInterface({
  input: process.stdin,
  output: process.stdout
});
 
// Function to calculate the sum of two numbers
function calculateSum(a, b) {
  return a + b;
}
 
// Get user input for two numbers
readline.question('Enter the first number: ', (num1) => {
  readline.question('Enter the second number: ', (num2) => {
    const result = calculateSum(Number(num1), Number(num2));
    console.log(`The sum of ${num1} and ${num2} is ${result}`);
    readline.close();
  });
});

// Import readline module to get user input

const readline = require('readline').createInterface({

input: process.stdin,

output: process.stdout

});

// Function to calculate the sum of two numbers

function calculateSum(a, b) {

return a + b;

}

// Get user input for two numbers

readline.question('Enter the first number: ', (num1) => {

readline.question('Enter the second number: ', (num2) => {

const result = calculateSum(Number(num1), Number(num2));

console.log(`The sum of ${num1} and ${num2} is ${result}`);

readline.close();

});

step5

As you type the code above, GitHub Copilot will provide suggestions, autocompletion, and even generate code snippets to help you complete the function. It will also offer explanations for different coding decisions and concepts.

step5b

Conclusion

The integration of GitHub Copilot with Visual Studio Code is a game-changer for developers, offering advanced AI-powered code assistance and accelerating the coding process. By seamlessly combining the capabilities of Copilot with the flexibility of VS Code, developers can streamline their workflows, learn new coding patterns, and boost their productivity.

As with any tool, understanding the integration process and making the most of its features will contribute to a more efficient and enjoyable coding experience.

Drop a query if you have any questions regarding GitHub Copilot and we will get back to you quickly.

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FAQs

1. Can GitHub Copilot be used for all programming languages?

ANS: – GitHub Copilot supports many programming languages, including Python, JavaScript, Java, C++, and more. Its versatility makes it suitable for various projects and development scenarios.

2. Does using GitHub Copilot replace the need for learning how to code?

ANS: – While GitHub Copilot is a powerful tool that assists in writing code, it’s essential to understand that it’s a supplement to your coding skills, not a replacement. GitHub Copilot can enhance productivity and help with complex tasks, but learning programming fundamentals remains crucial.

3. Is GitHub Copilot available for free?

ANS: – GitHub Copilot offers a free trial period, allowing you to experience its capabilities. However, it is a paid service, and subscription details can be found on GitHub’s official pricing page. Remember that the integration of Copilot into VS Code requires a subscription as well.

WRITTEN BY Mohammad Zubair Saifi

Mohammad Zubair Saifi works as a Research Associate at CloudThat. He has knowledge of AWS Cloud Services and resources and DevOps tools like Jenkins, Docker, K8s, Ansible, and Terraform. He is passionate about improving his skills and learning new tools and technologies.