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Set up the Torizon IDE Extension Environment

Introduction

This article provides a step-by-step guide on host machine setup for developing applications with Torizon OS devices using Visual Studio Code and the Torizon VS Code Extension. It includes instructions for installing software and dependencies on your Windows or Linux-based host machine.

This article complies with the Typographic Conventions for Toradex Documentation.

Prerequisites

• Understanding the basics of the Torizon IDE Extension.
• Host machine with an officially supported OS.

Configure a Windows Host Machine

Install Visual Studio Code

Install Visual Studio Code on the Windows side. The installer is available at Download Visual Studio Code.

warning

Do not install VS Code on WSL.

Even with the Windows version of VS Code installed, you can access VS Code from the WSL terminal. Also, with the WSL Extension, VS Code's UI runs on Windows, and all your commands, extensions, and even the terminal, run on Linux.

Using the Installation Wizard

The Torizon IDE Installation Wizard automatically installs and configures the Torizon IDE Extension on Windows.

Check this video for a step-by-step tutorial on how to run the Installation Wizard.

It's also possible to manually install the dependencies and setup the configurations.

Manually Install Torizon IDE Extension

Manually Install the Dependencies

Install WSL 2

The Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) enables the use of most Linux command-line tools, utilities and applications directly on Windows. It also lets you leverage the IDE Extension with Visual Studio Code installed on your Windows machine. If you are unfamiliar with WSL and want to learn more, see Introduction to Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL).

1. Choose one of the Torizon IDE officially supported Linux distributions.

2. Install the selected Linux distribution on Windows with WSL

3. Check which version of WSL you are running. If WSL 1 is installed, upgrade version from WSL 1 to WSL 2.

You will find more information in the following articles:

• Basic commands for WSL
• Frequently Asked Questions about Windows Subsystem for Linux

Install Docker Engine

There are two options for managing Docker containers: Docker Engine and Docker Desktop.

• Docker Engine is an open-source technology that provides the Docker daemon and CLI commands for containerizing applications.
• Docker Desktop provides, besides Docker Engine, a GUI and a set of proprietary tools.

Since Docker Desktop is licensed under the Docker Subscription Service Agreement, we recommend using Docker Engine, which is licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0.

1. Open a WSL terminal: You can run the wsl command in a PowerShell terminal.

2. Install Docker Engine in WSL: To ensure the correct installation of Docker Engine, follow the instructions for the specific Linux distribution you have installed with WSL.

3. Set up Docker to run Docker without root privileges

Install the WSL Extension

To use WSL in Visual Studio Code, install the WSL extension:

The WSL extension lets you use VS Code on Windows to build Linux applications that run on the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL). You get all the productivity of Windows while developing with Linux-based tools, runtimes, and utilities.

Set up the Torizon IDE Extension on Visual Studio Code

1. Uninstall previous versions: If you have the deprecated Torizon IDE Extension installed, please uninstall it before proceeding with the next steps.

2. Connect to WSL: The extension must be installed in the Linux environment.

   1. Press F1.
   2. Search for wsl.
   3. Select WSL: Connect to WSL.

   

3. Install & Configure the IDE Extension.

   1. Click the Extensions icon from the left menu bar in Visual Studio Code.

      

   2. Search for Torizon IDE Extension. Click install.

      

   3. Activate the extension: The Torizon icon will appear in the left menu bar. Click on it to activate the extension.

      

   4. Installing dependencies: During the first activation, the extension will check the necessary dependencies. If any missing dependencies are detected, the extension will attempt to install them and prompt you to enter your sudo user password.

      

   5. Accept the package installation.

      

   6. Install PowerShell: Another terminal will open and try to install PowerShell. Enter your sudo user password.

      

Configure a Linux Host Machine

Install Visual Studio Code

Install Visual Studio Code from its Download page.

warning

The IDE Extension will not work with VS Code installed via Snap or Flatpak.

Install Docker Engine

There are two options for managing Docker containers: Docker Engine and Docker Desktop.

• Docker Engine is an open-source technology that provides the Docker daemon and CLI commands for containerizing applications.
• Docker Desktop provides, besides Docker Engine, a GUI and a set of proprietary tools.

Since Docker Desktop is licensed under the Docker Subscription Service Agreement, we recommend using Docker Engine, which is licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0.

1. Install Docker Engine: The release of Docker provided by some distribution feeds is not up-to-date. To ensure the correct Docker installation, follow the instructions for your distribution in the Docker documentation.

2. Set up Docker to run Docker without root privileges

Set up the Torizon IDE Extension on Visual Studio Code

1. Uninstall previous versions: If you have the deprecated Torizon IDE Extension installed, please uninstall it before proceeding with the next steps.

2. Install & Configure the IDE Extension.

   1. Click the Extensions icon from the left menu bar in Visual Studio Code.

      

   2. Search for Torizon IDE Extension. Click install.

      

   3. Activate the extension: The Torizon icon will appear in the left menu bar. Click on it to activate the extension.

      

   4. Installing dependencies: During the first activation, the extension will check the necessary dependencies. If any missing dependencies are detected, the extension will attempt to install them and prompt you to enter your sudo user password.

      

   5. Accept the package installation.

      

   6. Install PowerShell: Another terminal will open and try to install PowerShell. Enter your sudo user password.

      

Blogs

This section brings interesting blogs and valuable insights to your attention.

• Next, Next, Install: The Easiest Way to Setup Your Windows PC for Embedded Linux