VSCode

VSCode Insiders is a powerful and modern version of Visual Studio Code, designed for users who want the latest features and improvements as soon as they become available. It is lightweight, fast, and highly customizable, making it a great choice for scientific computing and collaborative research. In our group, it is commonly used for developing and debugging simulation codes, post-processing scripts, and even working with Python notebooks. It integrates github support, remote development (like SSH), and Jupyter.

Note

VSCode can also be used with github Copilot, a powerful AI assistant for writing code. With your university affiliation, you can very likely apply for a GitHub Education account.

VSCode on Dartmouth's Discovery Cluster

To connect VSCode Insiders to Dartmouth's Discovery cluster via SSH and work on code remotely without the need for frequent downloads or git commits, follow these steps:

1. Install the Remote - SSH extension in VSCode Insiders if it is not already installed. You can find it in the Extensions view by searching for Remote - SSH.
2. Press Cmd + Shift + P (on Mac) or Ctrl + Shift + P (on Windows/Linux) to open the Command Palette in VSCode.
3. In the command palette, select Remote-SSH: Connect to Host....
4. If you have not connected to the Discovery cluster before, you will be prompted to enter the SSH configuration for Discovery. Enter your username and hostname for the Discovery cluster.
5. If you are using password-based authentication, you will be prompted to enter your Discovery password.
6. Once connected, you will have access to the remote file system on the Discovery cluster. To select your working directory on the Discovery Cluster, navigate to the Explorer tab in VSCode, and choose Open Folder.

You will then be able to browse files, edit code, and save directly to the remote server.