# P5.js extension for Visual Code Studio error

**URL:** <https://discourse.processing.org/t/p5-js-extension-for-visual-code-studio-error/37913>\
**Category:** p5.js\
**Created:** [July 11, 2022, 12:24am UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/p5-js-extension-for-visual-code-studio-error/37913 "2022-07-11T00:24:16Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![asymmetric](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/discourse.processing.org/asymmetric/32/16577_2.png) [@asymmetric](https://discourse.processing.org/u/asymmetric)\
**Post date:** [July 11, 2022, 12:24am UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/p5-js-extension-for-visual-code-studio-error/37913/1 "2022-07-11T00:24:16Z")

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Hi! I am running into a wall whenever I attempt to download the p5.js extensions to my Visual Code Studio application. I receive the following error message whenever I press  
install.

“Unable to install because the extension ‘samplavinge.p5-vscode’ compatible with current version ‘1.331’ of VS Code is not found.”

How do I fix this error?

 ![Screen Shot 2022-07-10 at 5.18.05 PM](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/uploads/processingfoundation1/original/3X/1/e/1e9ff2903cebd38753fd1d3e87ddcffb8457be8a.png)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![asymmetric](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/discourse.processing.org/asymmetric/32/16577_2.png) [@asymmetric](https://discourse.processing.org/u/asymmetric)\
**Post date:** [July 11, 2022, 7:37pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/p5-js-extension-for-visual-code-studio-error/37913/2 "2022-07-11T19:37:16Z")

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I would like to compile p5.js on my desktop rather than the Web Editor. I have a MacBook Pro running MacOS Mojave. Why am I unable to download the compiler from the website? Any suggestions? Visual Studio Code is my plan B, but it is not working with the p5 extensions.

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**Author:** ![mnse](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/discourse.processing.org/mnse/32/16520_2.png) [@mnse](https://discourse.processing.org/u/mnse)\
**Post date:** [July 12, 2022, 5:36am UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/p5-js-extension-for-visual-code-studio-error/37913/3 "2022-07-12T05:36:00Z")

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Hi @asymmetric,

What do you mean by …

> [@asymmetric](#):
>
> I would like to compile p5.js on my desktop

…and…

> [@asymmetric](#):
>
> unable to download the compiler

P5js is javascript so you can edit your sketch with any editor and you can even easily run it locally with any common webbrowser?  
Or you can use processing PDE, install p5js mode and use that.

Regarding your first post I would recommend to re-install the VSCode with newest version and try to install p5.vscode afterwards (had also such issues in the past which was solved that way)

Cheers  
— mnse

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![asymmetric](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/discourse.processing.org/asymmetric/32/16577_2.png) [@asymmetric](https://discourse.processing.org/u/asymmetric)\
**Post date:** [July 12, 2022, 7:46pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/p5-js-extension-for-visual-code-studio-error/37913/4 "2022-07-12T19:46:41Z")

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> [@mnse](#):
>
> Or you can use processing PDE, install p5js mode and use that.
> 
> Regarding your first post I would recommend to re-install the VSCode with newest version and try to install p5.vscode afterwards (had also such issues in the past which was solved that way)

Thank you @mnse, I am currently using processing 3 for java, but I would like to use javascript as well. Where do I download processing PDE? I tried downloading from the p5.js website but recieved an error message.

I have several books on processing java and p5.js javascript and I am now realizing the difference between the compilers. Is that correct? I can’t code javascript into my processing 3 desktop correct?

Thank you, I will try to re-install VSCode and then proceed to the p5.vscode extension download!

Cheers to you for always helping me!

I appreciate your help.

Candace

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![asymmetric](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/discourse.processing.org/asymmetric/32/16577_2.png) [@asymmetric](https://discourse.processing.org/u/asymmetric)\
**Post date:** [July 12, 2022, 7:53pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/p5-js-extension-for-visual-code-studio-error/37913/5 "2022-07-12T19:53:13Z")

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![Screen Shot 2022-07-12 at 12.49.50 PM](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/uploads/processingfoundation1/original/3X/1/5/157fc11f4c9cd4033910ebeea65c1a787366e4a5.jpeg)  
This is what my processing compiler looks like at the moment. And here is a list of books that I am studying at the moment:

- Processing, second edition: A Programming Handbook for Visual Designers and Artists (The MIT Press) second edition
- The Nature of Code: Simulating Natural Systems with Processing
- Generative Design: Visualize, Program, and Create with Processing

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![mnse](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/discourse.processing.org/mnse/32/16520_2.png) [@mnse](https://discourse.processing.org/u/mnse)\
**Post date:** [July 12, 2022, 8:00pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/p5-js-extension-for-visual-code-studio-error/37913/6 "2022-07-12T20:00:21Z")

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Since beginning of 2022 p5js mode has switch to processing 4 (PDE)

So you need to [download](https://processing.org/download) and install it.  
Afterwards you can install the [p5js mode](https://github.com/fathominfo/processing-p5js-mode) via contribution manager on tab modes from inside the PDE.

Cheers  
— mnse

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![asymmetric](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/discourse.processing.org/asymmetric/32/16577_2.png) [@asymmetric](https://discourse.processing.org/u/asymmetric)\
**Post date:** [July 12, 2022, 8:05pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/p5-js-extension-for-visual-code-studio-error/37913/7 "2022-07-12T20:05:07Z")

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Oh, I see now! I’m just running older versions of processing and VSCode!

I just downloaded the newest version of VSCode and it fixed the error that I was running into!

With that being said, do I need both proceessing 4 (PDE) and VSCode?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![mnse](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/discourse.processing.org/mnse/32/16520_2.png) [@mnse](https://discourse.processing.org/u/mnse)\
**Post date:** [July 12, 2022, 8:06pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/p5-js-extension-for-visual-code-studio-error/37913/8 "2022-07-12T20:06:08Z")

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No! One is enough … 🙂  
But for processing java I personally would recommend to upgrade to processing 4 (PDE) 😉

Cheers  
— mnse

PS: didn’t know one can mark it’s own answer as solution !? 😀

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**Author:** ![GoToLoop](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/discourse.processing.org/gotoloop/32/86_2.png) [@GoToLoop](https://discourse.processing.org/u/GoToLoop)\
**Post date:** [July 12, 2022, 8:11pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/p5-js-extension-for-visual-code-studio-error/37913/9 "2022-07-12T20:11:53Z")

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> [@mnse](#):
>
> … I personally would recommend to upgrade to processing 4 (PDE)

- P4 has been a headache since the beginning!
- This forum is full of topics about folks having problems w/ P4!
- P4 is still in beta and there’s no date for it to become “stable”!

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![mnse](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/discourse.processing.org/mnse/32/16520_2.png) [@mnse](https://discourse.processing.org/u/mnse)\
**Post date:** [July 12, 2022, 8:15pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/p5-js-extension-for-visual-code-studio-error/37913/10 "2022-07-12T20:15:09Z")

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Yeah! But I believe that it will be the future and almost works well. 🙂

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![asymmetric](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/discourse.processing.org/asymmetric/32/16577_2.png) [@asymmetric](https://discourse.processing.org/u/asymmetric)\
**Post date:** [July 12, 2022, 8:17pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/p5-js-extension-for-visual-code-studio-error/37913/11 "2022-07-12T20:17:55Z")

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> [@mnse](#):
>
> No! One is enough … 🙂  
> But for processing java I personally would recommend to upgrade to processing 4 (PDE) 😉
> 
> Cheers

I just downloaded processing 4 (PDE) and ran into the following error message.

 ![Screen Shot 2022-07-12 at 1.15.23 PM](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/uploads/processingfoundation1/original/3X/8/0/80e6987c2cf10c446a7b59cf255031c050f8f2b2.png)

Should I just stick to VSCode with p5.js extentions?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![mnse](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/discourse.processing.org/mnse/32/16520_2.png) [@mnse](https://discourse.processing.org/u/mnse)\
**Post date:** [July 12, 2022, 8:19pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/p5-js-extension-for-visual-code-studio-error/37913/12 "2022-07-12T20:19:57Z")

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Yes! For p5js VSCode is very handy.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![asymmetric](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/discourse.processing.org/asymmetric/32/16577_2.png) [@asymmetric](https://discourse.processing.org/u/asymmetric)\
**Post date:** [July 12, 2022, 8:20pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/p5-js-extension-for-visual-code-studio-error/37913/13 "2022-07-12T20:20:58Z")

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Do you know why I am getting this error for processing 4?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![mnse](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/discourse.processing.org/mnse/32/16520_2.png) [@mnse](https://discourse.processing.org/u/mnse)\
**Post date:** [July 12, 2022, 8:23pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/p5-js-extension-for-visual-code-studio-error/37913/14 "2022-07-12T20:23:00Z")

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Sorry! Missed that you are using mac … Forget Processing 4 for now…

Cheers  
— mnse

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![asymmetric](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/discourse.processing.org/asymmetric/32/16577_2.png) [@asymmetric](https://discourse.processing.org/u/asymmetric)\
**Post date:** [July 12, 2022, 8:25pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/p5-js-extension-for-visual-code-studio-error/37913/15 "2022-07-12T20:25:40Z")

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Okay, ill stick to processing 3.5.4, p5.js browser, and VSCode for now!

Processing 4 (PDE) only works on Windows? I selected the Mac download.

You are so helpful!!! Thank you!

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![mnse](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/discourse.processing.org/mnse/32/16520_2.png) [@mnse](https://discourse.processing.org/u/mnse)\
**Post date:** [July 12, 2022, 8:30pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/p5-js-extension-for-visual-code-studio-error/37913/16 "2022-07-12T20:30:23Z")

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Usually it should also run on mac, but reality tells another story… 🙂

On Windows it works quite well, depending on my own experience with it!

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![asymmetric](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/discourse.processing.org/asymmetric/32/16577_2.png) [@asymmetric](https://discourse.processing.org/u/asymmetric)\
**Post date:** [July 12, 2022, 8:36pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/p5-js-extension-for-visual-code-studio-error/37913/17 "2022-07-12T20:36:46Z")

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I need a new computer huh? lol! I’m working on it! Thank you for your help again 😃

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![GoToLoop](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/discourse.processing.org/gotoloop/32/86_2.png) [@GoToLoop](https://discourse.processing.org/u/GoToLoop)\
**Post date:** [July 12, 2022, 8:38pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/p5-js-extension-for-visual-code-studio-error/37913/18 "2022-07-12T20:38:57Z")

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> [@mnse](#):
>
> … it will be the future…

- When that future comes I’ll be installing P4 too.
- But for now we should learn from the past.
- All Processing major versions had problems even months after a stable release!

> [@asymmetric](#):
>
> Do you know why I am getting this error for Processing 4?

I can’t help you b/c P4 won’t touch my computer until it’s proven stable.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![asymmetric](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/discourse.processing.org/asymmetric/32/16577_2.png) [@asymmetric](https://discourse.processing.org/u/asymmetric)\
**Post date:** [July 12, 2022, 9:09pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/p5-js-extension-for-visual-code-studio-error/37913/19 "2022-07-12T21:09:16Z")

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What are your favorite compilers for java and javascript? Do you prefer VSCode and the browser?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![GoToLoop](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/discourse.processing.org/gotoloop/32/86_2.png) [@GoToLoop](https://discourse.processing.org/u/GoToLoop)\
**Post date:** [July 12, 2022, 9:23pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/p5-js-extension-for-visual-code-studio-error/37913/20 "2022-07-12T21:23:32Z")

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I use both Java & Python modes on the Processing’s IDE (PDE).

For online sketches, I use any text editor for simple 1s and VSC for complex 1s.

Then I publish them online on sites like [OpenProcessing.org](http://OpenProcessing.org), [Glitch.com](http://Glitch.com) or [GitHub.com](http://GitHub.com), etc. depending on the complexity.

The “secret” for online sketches is to know how to create an “index.html” for it:

[Bl.ocks.org/GoSubRoutine](http://Bl.ocks.org/GoSubRoutine)

[Next page](https://discourse.processing.org/t/p5-js-extension-for-visual-code-studio-error/37913.md?page=2)