Warn users when a python environment has not been selected

Ensure validation takes place in a central location when using features such as:

• Formatting
• Linting
• Debugging, etc

Currently the only way users would know that this is necessary is:

• If there are errors
• Or if users notice the warning message displayed in the status bar

[qubitron]

@kraigb fair enough, let’s link to python.org directly and can change it if we see users struggling with that approach. On macOS and Linux they have a system install but it is missing pip in both cases, I think we have a warning for macOS that the system install is not supported.

[DonJayamanne]

Add on behalf of @kraigb

Ultimately, we’re trying to get the user to a point of immediate success with Python + VS Code, so I would think that whether they get there through a popup or the status bar is of secondary importance. In fact, selecting Python: Select Interpreter from the command palette is a third route already. The docs on https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/python/python-tutorial and https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/python/environments both illustrate the status bar very early on. Those articles are widely read, so the status bar is iscoverable enough given that it’s not a required interaction.

For consistency, we should agree on whether it’s “select interpreter” or “select environment”, as @DanielMoth points out, and use that in all cases.

I’d also suggest making the popups less about what’s not there and more about why, along with a clear directive. (Replace “interpreter” with “environment” depending on the consensus there):

No selected interpreter: “Select a Python interpreter by using the button below so Visual Studio Code can provide debugging, IntelliSense, and other language-related features.” Button “Select Python interpreter” No interpreter: “To work with Python in Visual Studio Code, install a Python interpreter by using the button below.” Button “Install Python interpreter” (goes to https://www.python.org/downloads/)

(BTW, for localization and accessibility it’s better to use words like “select” and “by using” rather than “click”.)

.Kraig