Dfinance launches a VS Code extension to help develop Libra apps using Move

The Dfinance team has launched a VS Code extension that seeks to add support for the Move language in the Libra ecosystem. The team unveiled this news through a blog post on April 19, noting that launching this extension is a small contribution to the Libra ecosystem.

Per the publication, the VS Code extension will help familiarize developers with the Move language quickly. On top of this, it is set to help them develop general applications for Libra and create new financial products and tools on top of Dfinance.

Commenting on this launch, Dfinance said,

“This extension release is our way to show our commitment to the Move language, and our support of its goal of helping with the adoption and expansion of the entire blockchain ecosystem.”

The Dfinance team added that,

“The main purpose of this extension is to enable developers to quickly start coding in Move using the already familiar VS Code IDE, thus enabling the creation of new Move-based applications, designed to run both on Libra and on dfinance.”

The extension’s features

Seeing as this new extension aims to alleviate the process of working on Move-based apps, Dfinance incorporated the following features,

• Syntax highlighting (including spec {} which will be supported soon on Move)
• Support for both Move and Mvir languages
• Syntax error highlighting via MLS
• Built-in Move Language server
• Built-in compiler for Darwin and MacOS
• Built-in dfinance compiler for all platforms

While these are the main features, Dfinance noted that it is exploring the addition of other features to better the extension. Per the blog post, interested developers can install the extension from the VS Code extensions browser or directly from the Visual Studio Marketplace. Dfinance added that developers are free to fork the extension repository on GitHub and create pull requests with extra features or enhancements.

Libra updates its white paper

This news comes after the Libra announced an update to its white paper on April 16. The project unveiled this news via a tweet on April 16, noting that it had also initiated the formal payment system licensing process with Finma.

According to Libra, all adjustments made to its white paper seek to address regulatory concerns. These changes include,

• Offering single-currency stablecoins in addition to the multi-currency coin.
• Enhancing the safety of the Libra payment system with a robust compliance framework.
•  Forgoing the future transition to a permissionless system while maintaining its key economic properties.
• Building strong protections into the design of the Libra Reserve.

Do you think Dfinance’s VS Code extension will help expedite the development of Libra? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.