Does visual studio code download to a Chromebook or do I have to have a PC?

Question

Does visual studio code download to a Chromebook or do I have to have a PC?

I am teaching my middle school students Python using codehs.com and then have them use it to program Lego EV3 Robots.

The problem I have is that the Visual Studio Code program with Python extension doesn't want to load to a Chromebook. Do I need a PC or can it be Chromebook friendly?

Steve Middle School in Oregon

Answer 1

Yes. You can download Visual Studio Code on supported Chromebooks using Crostini (Linux Support for Chrome OS).

Here's how:

1. Enable Linux Development Environment by going in Chrome OS Settings, scrolling to the Developers section, and clicking Linux Development Environment: Turn On .
2. Wait for the Linux VM to download. When it finishes, the Terminal app will open. If necessary, click penguin to open the terminal.
3. Type the following two commands, each followed by pressing the enter key to update the Linux VM:

sudo apt update -y;
sudo apt upgrade -y;

4. Navigate to this page: https://code.visualstudio.com/download , and choose the .deb option (if you have an ARM CPU chromebook, choose the ARM option). Save the file .deb into the Linux folder which is now in your Files.
5. Run the following command, replacing FILENAME.deb with the actual name of the file you just downloaded: sudo apt install -y./FILENAME.deb
6. Visual Studio Code should now be installed. If you look in the launcher, there will be a folder called Linux apps . Inside, there should be VS Code.