VS Code gaining traction in programming MCUs, MPUs
Microsoft Visual Studio Code, commonly known as VS Code, has another embedded processor company in its fold: top MCU supplier Renesas, which ships more than 3.5 billion units annually. The Japanese chipmaker will embrace VS Code to program its microcontrollers (MCUs) and microprocessors (MPUs).
Figure 1 Embedded developers can now design and debug software for Renesas embedded processors in VS Code. Source: Renesas
In March 2023, STMicroelectronics made a similar announcement by adopting VS Code for its STM32 microcontrollers. Like Renesas, ST will make available tool extensions that bring the advantages of VS Code to its MCUs.
VS Code, a popular integrated development environment (IDE) and code editor, is gaining traction for its ease of use and flexible features that simplify and accelerate code editing. And it simplifies and accelerates code editing across a variety of platforms and operating systems. That includes Windows as well as Linux x64 and macOS on Apple devices.
Unlike Arduino IDE—widely seen as training wheels for simple projects and a straightforward tool for non-developers to get started in creating the Internet of Things (IoT) and embedded applications—VS Code is a highly extensible code editor for embedded software development. It’s open source, and users can download it free of charge, including access to the source code.
Figure 2 VS Code enables developers working on high-level and consumer applications to easily create embedded solutions. Source: Microsoft
Both Renesas and ST are adding tool extensions for their embedded processors to the Microsoft VS Code website. The tool extensions for Renesas MCUs and MPUs are available on the Microsoft VS Code website and at www.renesas.com/software-tool/renesas-extension-of-vscode.
Likewise, both embedded processor suppliers are offering VS Code support alongside their respective developer platforms. VS Code support will complement the e2studio IDE platform of Renesas as well as ST’s Eclipse-based STM32CubeIDE environment. So, VS Code will allow developers to edit, build, program, run, and debug e2studio IDE and STM32CubeIDE projects, respectively.
VS Code is becoming a preferred environment for high-level software developers, academics, enthusiasts, and makers alike for creating embedded applications. Its adoption by leading embedded processor suppliers demonstrates its merits for creating efficient embedded solutions.
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