Visual Studio Code FILE EXPLORER Instructions
The FILE EXPLORER of Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is a powerful file management tool that allows you to browse and manage files and folders in your project. Here is a basic guide on how to use FILE EXPLORER:
1. Browse files and folders
When you open VS Code and load a project, FILE EXPLORER usually appears in the sidebar by default. If it is not displayed, you can open it by clicking the icon at the top of the sidebar (usually a folder icon).
In FILE EXPLORER, you can see all the files and folders under the root directory of the project. You can click on any folder to expand it and see what's inside.
2. Create a new file
At the top of FILE EXPLORER, you will see an input box, usually with a plus sign (+) icon next to it. This input box is used to enter the name of the new file.
Type the name of the file you want to create (for example, newfile.txt), and then press Enter. VS Code will create the file in the currently selected folder.
Note: If you want the file to have a specific extension (like .html, .css, .js, etc.), make sure to include it in the file name.
3. Deleting files or folders
To delete a file or folder, right-click it and select the "Delete" option. Alternatively, you can also use the shortcut key (usually the Delete key on Windows and the Backspace key on macOS).
Deleting is irreversible unless you restore it from the Recycle Bin or Trash, or you have a backup of the project.
4. Rename files or folders
To rename a file or folder, right-click it and select the "Rename" option. Alternatively, you can directly click the file or folder name twice to enter the rename mode (the first click selects it, the second click starts editing).
Type the new name and press Enter to confirm.
5. File and folder operations
In addition to creating, deleting, and renaming files, you can also drag files or folders to move their locations, or access other advanced options such as copying, pasting, and viewing properties through the right-click menu.
6. Opening Files
Double-click any file in FILE EXPLORER to open it in VS Code's editor.
You can also open a file in an external editor or application by right-clicking it and selecting "Open with Default Program" or a similar option (but this is usually not the standard behavior of VS Code, depending on your settings).
7. Running and Debugging
You won't find Run or Debug buttons directly in FILE EXPLORER, but these functions are usually accessed through the top menu, other parts of the sidebar (such as RUN AND DEBUG), or through shortcut keys.
To run or debug your project, check VS Code's documentation to learn how to configure and run tasks, start a debugging session, etc.
8. Text Encoding and Line Breaks
In VS Code's status bar, you can see the current file's encoding (such as UTF-8) and line break style (such as LF). These settings can be changed by clicking on them, although UTF-8 and LF are the most universal choices for most files.
By following these basic steps, you can effectively use VS Code's File Explorer to manage your project files and folders.
