EPM Code Set Up#

An Integrated Development Environment (IDE) bundles a code editor, debugger, and project tools in one place so you can write, run, and keep track of software faster. VS Code is a lightweight IDE that still lets you tailor the experience for Python, GAMS, or any other stack through extensions.

1. Install or Verify Visual Studio Code#

  • Download the installer that fits your platform

2. Install Extensions#

Extensions are plug-ins that add language support, debuggers, linters, and integrations to VS Code. You can install them from the marketplace.

Python (ID: ms-python.python)#

  • Ctrl/Cmd+Shift+X opens the Extensions view.

  • Search Python by Microsoft → Install.

  • Accept prompts to add the Pylance language server for IntelliSense and linting.

GAMS Language Support (ID: gams-dev.gams-language)#

  • In the Extensions view, search GAMS.

  • Install GAMS Language Support for syntax highlighting, snippets, and lint hooks.

  • Make sure the gams executable is on PATH; otherwise set "gams.executable" inside .vscode/settings.json.

OpenAI Codex Assistant (example ID: openai.codex-vscode)#

  • Locate OpenAI Codex in your marketplace or install the supplied .vsix.

  • Install, then sign in with your OpenAI organization credentials or API key.

  • Use inline completions (Ctrl/Cmd+Enter) or the Codex chat panel for AI-assisted coding.

3. Configure Debugging (launch.json)#

  • Ctrl/Cmd+Shift+P → Debug: Open launch.json → choose your Python interpreter.

  • Replace the generated JSON with:

{
    "version": "0.2.0",
    "configurations": [
        {
            "name": "Debugg: Main",
            "type": "debugpy",
            "request": "launch",
            "program": "${workspaceFolder}/epm/epm.py",
            "console": "integratedTerminal",
            "cwd": "${workspaceFolder}/epm",
            "args": [
                "--config", "config.csv",
                "--folder_input", "data_test",
                "--modeltype", "RMIP",
                "--simple",
                "--simulation_label", "simulations_test"
            ]
        },
        {
            "name": "Debugg: Postprocessing",
            "type": "debugpy",
            "request": "launch",
            "program": "${workspaceFolder}/epm/epm.py",
            "console": "integratedTerminal",
            "cwd": "${workspaceFolder}/epm",
            "args": [
                "--postprocess",
                "output/simulations_test",
            ]
        },
    ]
}

4. Work with Git in VS Code#

  • VS Code detects Git repositories automatically and shows the current branch in the status bar.

  • Use Ctrl/Cmd+Shift+G to open the Source Control view, where you can stage files, write commit messages, and push/pull without leaving the IDE.

  • The Timeline and Diff views display changes line by line so you can review edits before committing.

  • When collaborating, configure remote repositories once; afterwards VS Code handles fetch, pull, and push through the built-in controls or the integrated terminal.

5. Why VS Code Works Well for Python + GAMS#

  • One workspace covers both languages with shared Git, search, and refactoring.

  • Integrated terminals run python, pip, or gams without context switching.

  • Launch configurations and tasks automate pipelines (solve in GAMS, post-process in Python).

  • Extensions supply IntelliSense, linting, testing, and Codex AI help across both stacks.