Microsoft has rolled out Visual Studio Code 1.85, marking the November 2023 edition of its renowned open-source code editor. This update introduces significant enhancements, including the much-anticipated floating editor windows and a new capability to visualize JavaScript heap snapshots. Released on December 7, Visual
Studio Code 1.85 is available for download on Windows, Linux, and Mac platforms. One of the key features of this update empowers developers to relocate editors from the main window to lightweight, independent windows. Changes made in one editor window instantly propagate to all others. Creating a floating editor window is as simple as dragging an editor out of the current window and dropping it into an open space on the desktop. Additionally, new commands facilitate the movement or duplication of editors and editor groups into their own windows.
A noteworthy addition is the ability to visualize V8 heap snapshots saved as .heapsnapshot files. This functionality is accessible in both a traditional tabular view and a graphical representation showcasing the retainers of a specific memory object. Developers can capture heap snapshots using the Take Performance Profile command during JavaScript code debugging or through the Memory tab in browser DevTools.
Visual Studio Code 1.85 builds upon the foundation laid by the previous release, Visual Studio Code 1.84, which featured audio cues. The November update and subsequent point releases, versions 1.84.1 and 1.84.2, have further solidified the editor’s capabilities.
Beyond the headline features, Visual Studio Code 1.85 brings additional improvements. Tooltips are now displayed on keyboard focus for items with custom hovers, enhancing the keyboard experience. Interactive types in JavaScript and TypeScript inlay hints offer a more engaging coding environment. Developers gain the ability to selectively auto-update extensions, providing greater control over their development environment.
Specifically catering to Python developers, the update facilitates more convenient navigation through type relationships in large codebases when using the Pylance language server. The Source Control section introduces an Incoming/Outgoing section, offering a clear view of changes in the current branch compared to its remote.
For users leveraging the GitHub Copilot AI developer tool, Visual Studio Code 1.85 ensures persistence of the inline chat prompt history across sessions. The Sticky Scroll feature, now extended to all tree views (in preview), enhances navigation within project trees. Lastly, a multi-diff editor, also in preview, enables users to seamlessly view changes in multiple files in one scrollable view.