How to Install ESLint in VS Code

I’m learning. I know very little. My questions might sound stupid.

I’m taking a javascript tutorial. I’ve created an HTML file using VS Code which has js code in it. There is a problem with the js. I think it’s a syntax problem. I don’t know how to use VS Code to check syntax. In searching trying to learn how to check syntax, I found references suggesting ESLint as a plug-in to VS Code that would help with syntax checking. Accepting that ESLint is a needed tool, I decided to add ESLint plug-in to VS Code. Here is where I stalled out and got stuck. I cannot get ESLint to work.

From what I’ve read, I needed to install node.js. I downloaded and installed it. I’m not sure why; I was just following instructions in an article. At any rate, node.js is installed and I can load it.

Searching further, I found a YT saying that to install ESLint, I needed to run npm. I saw instructions saying to enter ‘$npm init -y’ in the Terminal window of VS Code (which I invoked using ctl+shift+m and choosing the Terminal tab). I found a prompt showing the path to my VS Code file. When I entered $npm init -y I got an error message.

Obviously, I need to know more than I do. Can anyone help?

First, do I need ESLint to check js syntax more easily? If not, is there another tool or do I just have to struggle with the native VS Code color coding? Syntax is not my strong suit; so any help the editor can give me is welcome.

Next, if ESLint is a good plug-in for js (for syntax checking and other uses), how do I get it installed and working? What does node.js have to do with it? Are there other apps or plug-ins I need? Everything I’ve found searching seems to expect me to know more than I do.

Did you read the Docs before installing npm init @eslint/config@latest? Anyway this
was what I read on there website. ESLint v8.x reached end-of-life on 2024-10-05 and is no longer maintained.Upgradeor considerlong-term support options
Try to find out if you have the latest installed and avoid all npm work arounds. Good luck

1 Like

Thanks robheyays.

Before I dive into the ESLint rabbit hole and chase an abandoned plug-in, I thought I should ask if there is a better alternative. Do you know of one? My aim is to find a good tool for auditing various kinds of code . . . HTML, CSS, javascript, python, et al.

You could use https://pythontutor.com/ where you can run code and it will format it or show the bugs, but it is kind of limited to small files. On the other hand if you stick with VScode or what ever IDE you are using it does work but takes time to get used to it. Also I guess you could use copilot it works good for writing code.