2 Getting started with Copilot

This chapter covers

Setting up Python, Visual Studio Code, and Copilot on your system
Introducing the Copilot design process
Understanding Copilot’s value for a data processing task

We want you to be able to create software yourself right from the start. To do this, we’ll guide you through setting up Visual Studio Code (VS Code), Python, and Copilot on your machine and familiarize you with how to interact with these tools. After you’ve set up the tools, you’ll be able to follow along with our examples and start creating software yourself. There’s no substitute for practice, and we believe you can learn right alongside us for the remainder of the book.

Once you’ve set up Copilot, we’ll walk through a fun example that showcases the power of Copilot in solving standard tasks. You’ll see how to interact with Copilot, and you’ll learn how you can write software without writing any actual code. Keep in mind that Copilot isn’t perfect, and you need to be able to read and understand a little Python to get what you want, but it gives you a big head start. Let’s get started creating your first computer program.

2.1 Setting up your computer to start learning

2.2 The software we’ll be using

2.2.1 Python

2.2.2 Visual Studio Code

2.2.3 GitHub account

2.3 Getting your system set up: Part 1

2.4 Working with Python in Visual Studio Code

2.4.1 Set up your working folder

2.4.2 Check to see if your setup is working properly

2.5 Writing and running some small programs

2.6 Getting your system set up: Part 2

2.6.1 Check to see if Copilot is working properly

2.7 Addressing common Copilot challenges

2.8 Our path forward

2.8.1 How we’ll be working with Copilot throughout the book

2.8.2 Showcasing Copilot’s value in a data processing task

Summary