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change executable name to 'vscode' (or 'mscode' ?) #2722

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bgse opened this issue Feb 4, 2016 · 4 comments
Closed

change executable name to 'vscode' (or 'mscode' ?) #2722

bgse opened this issue Feb 4, 2016 · 4 comments
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@bgse
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bgse commented Feb 4, 2016

Related: #2679 #229

I strongly feel that 'code' or 'Code' is a bad choice as executable name, the former is extremely ambiguous and is asking for conflicts with other packages (existing ones or future ones, or organization-private tools), the latter being rather unconventional on Linux platform to start with capital letter.

Since the community seems to already nickname the product VSCode, why not change the executable to 'vscode', preferrably before GA since sooner is better than later?

Alternatively, if the products name is supposed to be Code (and Visual Studio isn't considered a real part of the name), I'd go with 'mscode' (as in "Code, the one from Microsoft and not something else named Code").

Reasons to change asap:

  • The more time goes by, and especially once VSCode gains more command-line options, the more external software will bank on a specific executable name, making a switch more problematic.
  • Less post-installation hassle or downright conflicts (especially installing from packages) will mean faster adoption.

Reasons why not to change:

  • Other packages have similar problems, like Imagemagick 'convert', 'display' or 'import' (yikes) for example, so no need to make a fuzz about it.
  • Some utilities already assume the executable name being 'code', for example dotBunnys VSCode Unity integration plugin.
@Tyriar
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Tyriar commented Feb 4, 2016

I have some similar concerns:

  • Currently there are two aliases for the editor; code and vscode. It would be good if a consistent one was used everywhere.
  • After making some progress on Create .deb package for Debian-based Linux distros #2679, it looks like if another application chose to add an icon or desktop entry named "code" it would cause a conflict, leading to badness.
  • man code on OSX displays a man page for some other utility, proving that conflicts happen.
  • Related Consider changing IDE name #2150

@egamma
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egamma commented Feb 5, 2016

Currently there are two aliases for the editor; code and vscode .

@Tyriar where did you find the second alias vscode? The intent was to use code consistently.

// @chrisdias

@Tyriar
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Tyriar commented Feb 5, 2016

@egamma I mean as an alias for the project; the repo name, extension prefixes, etc. Presumably this was the names as such because code itself was too ambiguous?

@egamma
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egamma commented Mar 7, 2016

I'm closing this one, we have no plans to change the name at this point.

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