Part 2: Create a Rust project with VSCode

VSCode Extensions for Rust

To make Rust programming easier and more efficient in VSCode, consider installing the following extensions:

1. Rust Analyzer: This is an alternative to the Rust (rls) extension. It’s a powerful tool that provides a range of features, including type inference, auto-completion, and real-time error checking.
2. CodeLLDB: A LLDB extension for Visual Studio Code, which is especially useful for debugging Rust code.
3. TOML Language Support: Offers syntax highlighting and other features for TOML files, which are used by Rust for configuration.

To install any extension, follow these steps:

1. Open VSCode.
2. Click on the Extensions view icon on the sidebar or press Ctrl+Shift+X.
3. Search for the extension you want to install.
4. Click Install.

Installing Rust and Its Build Dependencies

Here’s a quick guide on how to install Rust and its build dependencies on Linux, Windows, and macOS.

Linux

1. Open Terminal.
2. Download and install rustup by running:

curl --proto '=https' --tlsv1.2 -sSf https://sh.rustup.rs | sh

1. Source the cargo environment:

source $HOME/.cargo/env

Windows

1. Open Terminal.
2. Download and install rustup by running:

winget install Rustlang.Rustup
rustup toolchain install stable-x86_64-pc-windows-msvc

1. You might need to add the Rust path to your environment.

macOS

1. Open Terminal
2. Download and install rustup by running:

curl --proto '=https' --tlsv1.2 -sSf https://sh.rustup.rs | sh

1. Source the cargo environment:

source $HOME/.cargo/env

Create a new project with Cargo

cargo new <your-project-name>
# Or with an existing directory
# cargo init

Setting Up Debugging in VSCode

After installing the CodeLLDB extension, you need to set up your launch.json and tasks.json files to enable debugging.

launch.json

Create a new file in your .vscode directory and name it launch.json. Copy and paste the following configuration:

{
    "version": "0.2.0",
    "configurations": [
        {
            "name": "Debug Windows",
            "type": "cppvsdbg",
            "request": "launch",
            "program": "${workspaceFolder}/target/debug/<your-project-name>.exe",
            "preLaunchTask": "rust: cargo build",
            "args": [
            ],
            "stopAtEntry": false,
            "cwd": "${fileDirname}",
            "environment": [],
            "console": "internalConsole",
        },
        {
            "name": "Debug Linux",
            "type": "lldb",
            "request": "launch",
            "program": "${workspaceFolder}/target/debug/<your-project-name>",
            "preLaunchTask": "rust: cargo build",
            "args": [
            ],
            "cwd": "${fileDirname}",
            "console": "internalConsole",
            "stopOnEntry": false,
            "sourceLanguages": ["rust"],
            
        },
    ]
}

Replace <your-project-name> with your project’s name.

tasks.json

Create another new file in your .vscode directory and name it tasks.json. Copy and paste the following configuration:

{
    "version": "2.0.0",
     "tasks": [
        {
            "type": "cargo",
            "command": "build",
            "problemMatcher": [
                "$rustc"
            ],
            "group": "build",
            "label": "rust: cargo build"
        }
    ]
}

Now, you’re all set! You can run your program by pressing F5, and VSCode will build and debug your Rust application.

Sources

• Rust Analyzer, https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=matklad.rust-analyzer (last visited May 26, 2023).
• CodeLLDB, https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=vadimcn.vscode-lldb (last visited May 26, 2023).
• Other Installation Methods - Rust Forge, https://forge.rust-lang.org/infra/other-installation-methods.html (last visited May 26, 2023).