The Extron ControlScript Extension for VS Code is a timesaving extension that integrates ControlScript programming into Microsoft Visual Studio Code, enabling control system programmers to use this powerful and highly acclaimed editor to program Extron control systems. Programmers can take advantage of IntelliSense code completion, Python grammar checking, macros, snippets, inline documentation, and easy integration with version control software, like GIT.
Extron offers a number of options for developing ControlScript projects. The ControlScript Extension for VS Code allows AV developers to use Microsoft’s powerful and highly acclaimed editor, Visual Studio Code, and take advantage of code completion, in-line help, macros, and snippets seamlessly with Extron’s ControlScript libraries.
Available separately, the ControlScript Deployment Utility, allows you to easily deploy and debug projects developed with VS Code and the ControlScript Extension for VS Code. AV developers can also use the ControlScript Deployment Utility with any Python Editor as long as the file’s folder structures follow the project structure created by the ControlScript Extension for VS Code.
Python and the Pro Series Control Platform
Python is a popular object-oriented programming language that is clean, easily readable, and editable. With ample documentation available in print and on the Internet, there are numerous programming resources for novices and experts alike.
The Extron Pro Series products use a proven, multi-threaded platform designed to leverage the benefits of the Python language. As an interpreted language, Python does not require compiling, and offers a quicker workflow from editing code to testing a program. Instructions are executed immediately, and functions can be added or modified at runtime. Extron ControlScript programming and the Pro Series control platform use Python 3.
Leveraging Open Standards
Microsoft Visual Studio Code allows you to customize your environment and continue developing ControlScript Projects. Within the VS Code environment, you can customize the environment for the way you work; and by tapping into the VS Code community, you can take advantage of additional tools for code development, diagnostics, and source control available on the VS Code Marketplace.
Moving Extron Programmed Control Systems Forward
All of this is 100% compatible with existing Extron ControlScript programming and Global Scripter projects. Existing projects can be exported from Global Scripter and used with the ControlScript Extension and the ControlScript Deployment Utility. All Extron GS Modules and Helper Modules are compatible with projects developed in VS Code with the ControlScript Extension. Files developed with VS Code and the ControlScript Extension can be dragged back into Global Scripter, if needed, with minimal modification.
Software Access
Become a Certified Extron Authorized Programmer and access all the benefits of the ControlScript API, utilities, and more.
For More Information
For more information about access to ControlScript programming, please contact your Extron representative.