Setup: Development Environment
Overview
This setup activity will prepare you with the development tools, extensions, and services necessary to complete the assigned activities and projects in the course.
All of these tools and services are free to use for the duration of the course. You do NOT need to purchase any software or services nor provide a credit card to complete this course.
Instructions
Integrated Development Environment
This course will uses Visual Studio Code versus Visual Studio "Full". The full version Visual Studio IDE is a full-featured development tool for Windows that is used by many professional developers. However, it is a large download and more restrictive platform given its power. Visual Studio Code is a lightweight IDE that is easy to use and has a large community of developers that have created extensions to add functionality to the IDE. It is also cross-platform, meaning that it can be used on Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems.
- Visual Studio Code
– Verify that you have an up-to-date, working instance of VS Code running and install or
update as needed.
- To check for updates in VS Code, click on
Help -> Check for Updates...
Reference: 📑 VS Code Documentation.
- To check for updates in VS Code, click on
- Add the C# extension to VS Code.
- Add the C# Dev Kit extension to VS Code.
"C# Dev Kit is an extension created to enhance your C# development experience in Visual Studio Code. It aims to bring a more expansive, productive, and reliable C# experience to VS Code. The Dev Kit does not replace the existing C# extension but adds on top of the great language service features it provides. Developers can choose to continue using the updated version of the existing C# extension or enhance their experience by adding the C# Dev Kit." – code.visualstudio.com/docsNote that you may need to restart VS Code in order for the C# Dev Kit extension to be recognized.
Later, in the course, you will be asked to install the .NET MAUI extension which will automatically check for and install the C# and C# Dev Kit extensions as dependencies as needed. We will begin the course with the C# and C# Dev Kit extensions only.
Git
- Verify that you have Git installed by opening a terminal (Mac) or CMD prompt/PowerShell
(Windows) and typing
git --version. If you get an error, you need to install or update Git.
Repo Hosting: Github
- Create a login (if you don't already have one) with Github.
Github
– github.com
- Create a new Github repository.
- Call the new repository name: CSE-325
- New assignments for this course will be placed in new folders within this repo.
- Instructions on creating a new repository in Github can be found here: https://docs.github.com/en/repositories/creating-and-managing-repositories/creating-a-new-repository
- Create a new Github repository.
Project Management: Jira/Atlassian
- Log in to Jira/Atlassian with your BYU-I Microsoft Account
Jira
– https://www.atlassian.com
- Create a new Site.
- Call the new site name: your name
- Choose "Software Development" for your site type
- Call your space name: cse325
- Skip the rest of the questions
- Instructions on getting started with Jira can be found here: https://www.atlassian.com/software/jira/guides/getting-started/basics
Note in the upper right corner there is a purple box that says "Premium Trial". Click on the box and select "End trial and change plans." This will give you the opportunity to revert to a simple free account. - Create a new Site.
Server Environment / Manager
- .NET - Verify and install/update the latest Long Term Support version of .NET. This is the version that can be used in the online, Microsoft tutorials. Follow the instructions for your operating system.