PythonFoundational~4h

VS Code

The model under the window

A tour of an editor dates in two releases. What does not is the thing underneath: which files are indexed, where symbols come from, what a task really describes, and what the debugger is attached to. Learn those, then drill the parts with exactly one right answer — cursors, replacements, stepping, resolved arguments.

Start this projectSee the modules
Modules
6
Drills
10
Build steps
2
Time
~4h

Walk out able to

Say which value a setting resolved to and why, predict the text a multi-cursor edit leaves, and stop a real process on a condition you chose.

What this covers

01

Roots, scopes and the index

Which files are searched, and which setting actually won.

02

Cursors and replacements

Count them before you type; predict the text they leave.

03

What the debugger sees

Attach, step by depth, and read a value at the break.

04

Tasks, configs, extensions

The process a config describes, and how to judge an add-on.

The pitch

What you practise, and what you leave with

A configured workspace for a repository you already have: a task that runs from a cold clone, a debugger that stops where you meant it to.

You will practise

  • Resolve settings, and write search patterns
  • Count cursors, predict the edit
  • Rename against find-and-replace
  • Step, break, and resolve an argv

Afterwards you can

  • Say why a setting was ignored, without guessing
  • Predict a multi-cursor edit before typing
  • Stop a process on a condition you chose
  • Read a config as the command it will run

Modules

6 modules, 27 items

Lessons explain one idea. Drills repeat it until it sticks. Build steps make something that exists afterwards.

  1. 1

    What the editor knows about

    ~54 min

    Resolve a setting to the value that applies, and say where a search result came from.

    • LessonSay what the window is open on6 min
    • LessonWork out which setting actually won9 min
    • DrillResolve a setting to its winner9 min
    • LessonTell a symbol search from a text search7 min
    • LessonChoose the search that answers it5 min
    • DrillScope a search to the right files9 min
    • DrillWrite the pattern that selects them9 min
  2. 2

    Many cursors, one edit

    ~30 min

    Count the cursors before you type, and predict the text the edit leaves behind.

    • LessonPut a cursor exactly where you meant6 min
    • DrillCount the cursors you just made8 min
    • LessonPredict what many cursors will do6 min
    • DrillPredict the text after a multi-edit10 min
  3. 3

    Rename, or find and replace

    ~36 min

    Say what a rename touches, write a capture-group replace, and choose between them.

    • LessonDecide between rename and replace7 min
    • DrillSay what a rename actually touches10 min
    • LessonSay when only a replace can work7 min
    • DrillReplace with capture groups12 min
  4. 4

    What the debugger is attached to

    ~56 min

    Attach to a real process, step deliberately, and read a value at the moment it stops.

    • LessonSay what the debugger is attached to7 min
    • LessonRead the three step commands as one6 min
    • DrillStep, and say where you land11 min
    • LessonRead a breakpoint as an assertion6 min
    • DrillRead a value at the break11 min
    • Build stepRun a real program under the debugger15 min
  5. 5

    Tasks and launch configs

    ~38 min

    Read a configuration and say the exact command line it will run.

    • LessonSay what a task actually describes7 min
    • LessonResolve the substitution pass7 min
    • DrillResolve a launch config to its argv10 min
    • Build stepWire a task that really runs14 min
  6. 6

    Judge it, then keep it

    ~29 min

    Judge an extension against criteria rather than a list, and configure a real workspace.

    • LessonJudge an extension before installing9 min
    • LessonConfigure a workspace from scratch20 min

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