Two terms that are commonly used in the context of software development are Visual Studio and Visual Studio Code.  Are they the same even if they both go by the name "Visual Studio"? For both novice and experienced coders, the response may be confusing.  Fear not—this blog post will clarify the main differences between these two well-liked development tools.

Visual Studio: An IDE Packed with Features

Microsoft created Visual Studio, which is a feature-rich Integrated Development Environment (IDE) that is frequently shortened to VS.  An integrated development environment (IDE) provides a collection of tools and capabilities to streamline the software development lifecycle, going beyond a basic text editor. Here's what defines Visual Studio:

Rich Feature Set: Visual Studio (VS) comes with a large feature set that includes tools for code analysis, build automation, debugging, version control integration, and editing code.

Many Languages and Frameworks: Visual Studio is compatible with a wide range of popular frameworks and programming languages, including ASP.NET, Unity, C++, Python, and JavaScript. It is a favorite among developers working on challenging projects because of its adaptability.

Project Management: With Visual Studio's integrated project management features, developers can efficiently manage dependencies, arrange code, and work together on complex projects.

Cost: There are several variants of Visual Studio; the Community Edition, which is available for free, has a respectable feature set for individual developers and modest projects. More advanced features for enterprise-level development are unlocked with paid editions.

Code in Visual Studio: The Portable, Open-Source Engine

VS Code, sometimes known as Visual Studio Code, takes a different tack.  Microsoft created this free, open-source code editor, which is renowned for its cross-platform interoperability, extensibility, and lightweight architecture.  What makes VS Code unique is this:

VS Code is a powerful code editor that is lightweight and quick. Even on less powerful machines, it offers a fast user experience while consuming minimal resources.

Cross-Platform Compatibility: VS Code functions flawlessly on Windows, macOS, and Linux, in contrast to Visual Studio, which is primarily Windows-based. Because of this, developers who work with many operating systems frequently choose it.

Customisable and extensible: The real power of VS Code is in its ability to be expanded upon. You can tailor the editor to meet your own requirements with the help of a wide ecosystem of extensions. To create a customized development environment, add features like language support, debugging tools, and code linters (tools that find stylistic or functional issues in code).

Focus on Code Editing: Although VS Code has certain debugging and Git integration features, its main objective is to give programmers a reliable and effective writing environment.

Selecting the Appropriate Tool for the Task

So, which one ought you to pick?  The response is based on your unique needs for development.

For Complex, Multi-Language Projects: Visual Studio's extensive feature set and project management capabilities may be a better fit if you're working on huge projects requiring a variety of programming languages and frameworks.

For Novices or Lightweight Development: The simplified interface and flexibility of Visual Studio Code provide an excellent foundation for novices or those working on smaller projects.

Regarding Cross-Platform Development: Visual Studio Code is the undisputed leader if you're looking for a code editor that functions flawlessly on Linux, MacOS, and Windows environments.

For Customisation: VS Code offers an enormous extension library that offers unmatched versatility if you're in the mood for a highly customisable programming environment that suits your tastes.

Conclusion

Although they are in separate areas of the development tools market, Visual Studio and Visual Studio Code aren't always direct rivals.  Actually, a few developers use both tools in their daily job.