How to Run JavaScript Codes in Visual Studio Code

Running JavaScript codes in Visual Studio Code (VS Code) can be done through various methods. This article will guide you through different approaches, including using the terminal, the Code Runner extension, and the Live Server extension.

1. Using the Terminal

To run JavaScript codes using the terminal in VS Code, you need to ensure that Node.js is installed. Here are the steps:

Install Node.js. You can download it from the official Node.js website.

Open VS Code and navigate to the terminal by pressing Ctrl ` or Cmd ` on macOS. Type node --version to check if Node.js is installed correctly.

To run an individual JavaScript file, navigate to the file location using cd command and then type node .js. Replace filename with the name of your JavaScript file.

For a web development project, you can use the Live Server extension to run your files on localhost within a browser.

2. Using the Code Runner Extension

The Code Runner extension is a powerful tool that allows you to run almost any language in VS Code. Here is how you can use it to run JavaScript:

Install the Code Runner extension from the Extensions Market in VS Code.

Open the JavaScript code file in the Text Editor.

To run the code, use the shortcut Ctrl Alt N or Ctrl Option N on macOS. Alternatively, press F1 and then select or type Run Code.

The output will be displayed in the Output Window. You can also run a selected code snippet or even unsaved files.

3. Using the Live Server Extension

The Live Server extension is perfect for running JavaScript files on localhost within a browser. Here’s how you can do it:

Install the Live Server extension from the Extensions Market in VS Code.

Link your JavaScript file with an HTML page. Open the HTML file in VS Code, right-click on the JavaScript file, and select Open With Live Server.

Open the browser and navigate to the URL displayed in the Live Server panel. Use the browser's Inspector tools to view console output.

What about Node.js?

To use Node.js, a JavaScript runtime environment, you follow the steps mentioned in the first section. However, Node.js does not support DOM (Document Object Model) objects or methods. If you need to interact with the DOM, you should run your JavaScript in a web browser.

Conclusion

Running JavaScript in VS Code is straightforward with the right tools. Whether you use the terminal, the Code Runner extension, or the Live Server extension, you can efficiently run and test your JavaScript code. For more detailed examples and diagrams, refer to the tutorial.