VSCode Extension for Raspberry Pi Pico 1 & 2 | DrJonea.co.uk

[@john_hind]

You can of course open terminals within VS Code and you can also move any VS Code tab into its own window (right click on the tab). You need a recent version to be able to move terminal tabs into their own windows.

[@DrJonEA]

Good tips, thanks

[@danman32]

The Pico extension sounds like it takes too much control, though it sounds like it has the benefit of automatically installing any dependencies. I know at one time RP had an installer for windows that would install everything including the SDK, VSCode and needed extensions (really only cmake). You did have to launch vscode from the shortcut RP install provided so that the environment variables would be set for the session. As for flashing through USB, I'm surprised the Pico extension doesn't take advantage of picotool which can put the Pico in bootsel mode without having to touch the bootsel button. I use the picotool all the time when I update the Pico controlled 16x300 ws2812b sign with a new message. What I have to learn is how to deal with cmake files. Too often VSCode says an import file can't be found if the cmake isn't quite right.

[@DrJonEA]

Thanks. Yes the windows installer was great, have the author as a guest on a future video. I do think great structured cmake files are basis of a stable project.

[@ChromaticReflection]

Jon, good video. Thanks for the effort to create it. It would be great if you could make a follow up vid where you delve into config of a more complex project like you highlighted. IMO, examples/tutorials of this are sorely lacking by Rpi and makes there extension just a “first program hobby tool” at this point. We are all left to sort through trying to mod the Cmake file from the project start Cmake. Right now it seems a bit clumsy. Any insight you could offer here would be greatly appreciated.

[@DrJonEA]

Thank you. I agree with your content and I will see what I can do.

[@ChromaticReflection]

@@DrJonEA Thanks!

[@alevans51]

Agree. Using VS Code for a Pico is far from practical.

[@DrJonEA]

Thank you. I am not quite sure I would be that harsh but yes it isn't as easy as Raspberry PI make it look for real world projects.

[@TooSlowTube]

Have you tried the Arduino IDE, with Earle Philhower's arduino-pico core? It seems a lot simpler than trying to use VSCode, to me.

[@DrJonEA]

Yes I've used the Arduino IDE in the past. It is absolutely a great starting point and really helps get people into the microros space. It isn't right for my usage though.