Installing Visual Code & Azure CLI & Powershell & Extensions

Introduction

This tutorial provides a step-by-step guide for installing Visual Studio Code, Azure CLI, PowerShell, and essential extensions. It's designed for developers looking to set up their environment for working with Azure Resource Manager (ARM) templates and Infrastructure as Code (IaC).

Step 1: Download Visual Studio Code

1. Go to the official Visual Studio Code website.
2. Click on the download link for the executable file compatible with your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux).
3. Save the file to your computer.

Step 2: Install Visual Studio Code

1. Locate the downloaded executable file and double-click to run it.
2. Follow the installation prompts:
   • Accept the license agreement.
   • Choose the installation location.
   • Select additional tasks like creating a desktop icon.
3. Click the Install button to begin the installation.
4. After installation, launch Visual Studio Code.

Step 3: Install PowerShell Extension

1. Open Visual Studio Code.
2. Go to the Extensions view by clicking on the Extensions icon in the Activity Bar on the side.
3. Search for "PowerShell" in the search bar.
4. Click on the Install button for the PowerShell extension.

Step 4: Install Azure Resource Manager (ARM) Extension

1. In the Extensions view, search for "Azure Resource Manager".
2. Click Install to add the ARM extension to Visual Studio Code.

Step 5: Install Azure CLI Extension

1. In the Extensions view, search for "Azure CLI".
2. Click Install to add the Azure CLI extension.

Step 6: Install AZ Module for PowerShell

1. Open PowerShell as an administrator.
2. Run the following command to install the Azure module:

   Install-Module -Name Az -AllowClobber -Scope CurrentUser
   

3. Follow any prompts to complete the installation.

Step 7: Alternative Installation of PowerShell 7

1. If you need to install PowerShell 7, visit the PowerShell GitHub releases page.
2. Download the latest version suitable for your operating system.
3. Run the installer and follow the prompts.

Step 8: Review Recommended Visual Studio Code Extensions

1. After installing the essential extensions, consider additional tools that may enhance your development experience, such as:
   • Azure Tools for Visual Studio Code.
   • Terraform extension if you're using Terraform for IaC.

Step 9: Restart Your Computer

1. It's recommended to restart your computer after installation to ensure all changes take effect.

Step 10: Understand PowerShell Versions

• Familiarize yourself with the differences between PowerShell 5.1 and PowerShell 7.x:
  • PowerShell 7 provides enhanced features and cross-platform capabilities.
  • Review the official Microsoft documentation for a detailed comparison.

Step 11: Explore Infrastructure as Code

1. Learn about Infrastructure as Code (IaC) principles.
2. Consider exploring Terraform as an alternative to ARM templates. Check Microsoft Docs for more information.

Conclusion

You have successfully set up Visual Studio Code, Azure CLI, and PowerShell with the necessary extensions. This environment will enable you to work effectively with Azure ARM templates and IaC. As a next step, explore the provided resources on Azure ARM Templates and consider diving deeper into Terraform if you're interested in alternative approaches to IaC.