What are GitHub CodeSpaces?

GitHub Codespaces is a cloud-based development environment provided by GitHub that enables a user to write, review, and collaborate on code directly from the web browser. GitHub Codespaces simplifies the setup process and enhances the coding experience by providing a seamless online workspace for projects.

GitHub Codespaces uses a Ubuntu image on a virtual machine (VM); a VM can be of different specifications: 2 cores, 8 GB RAM, 32 GB storage, and up to 32 cores, 64 GB RAM, and 128 GB storage. By default, the base image consists of popular languages and tools. However, the user can configure the Ubuntu version and other requirements based on the project.

Why do we use GitHub CodeSpaces?

GitHub Codespaces allows users to write, edit, and modify their code on the cloud and access it directly from the editor. GitHub Codespaces maintains the state of the environment. Hence, configurations are persistent. The user repository's code is integrated seamlessly into Codespace's VM. It enables the users to access and edit code as if they were working on their local machine. Thus, it reduces the user-machine dependency as the project runs on a cloud server.

The initial setup may take time. Then VS code will open in a new browser tab.

Note: The user can create different Codespaces on each branch.

Advantages of GitHub Codespaces

• Environment setup: Codespaces allow the user to set up the GitHub repository on the remote server and access it directly from the editor; GitHub sets up a virtual machine (VM) in the cloud. The VM includes a docker image of different tools, libraries, and configurations needed for the project.

• Code integration: Codespace's VM integrates the user repository's code seamlessly.  It enables the users to access and edit code as if they were working on their local machine, but all the heavy lifting happens in the cloud.

• Integrated terminal: The Codespace interface has access to an integrated Linux terminal. The terminal lets us run commands, manage dependencies, and execute tasks within the virtual environment.

• Live collaboration: Codespaces are connected to GitHub repositories; different people can collaborate on the same project simultaneously. Changes made by collaborators are synchronized in real time, enhancing the pair programming experience.

• Persistent state: GitHub Codespaces maintains the state of the environment, even if the browser is closed or disconnected. Returning to the Codespace later, the environment remains as left, eliminating the need to recreate our environment.

• Pull requests and reviews: Codespaces helps review and test pull requests. We can instantly load a Codespace with the proposed changes and test them within the project context.

Summary

GitHub Codespaces creates cloud-based, virtual development environments accessible through a web browser. It streamlines the setup process, facilitates collaboration, and provides a consistent coding experience across different devices. Codespaces empower developers to work efficiently on their projects while leveraging the power of cloud computing through web-based interfaces and integrated tools.

Additional resources