Databricks has added a new tool to its lakehouse platform that allows developers to create and test code in a familiar integrated development environment before connecting it to their Databricks cluster, Tech Target reports.

Now with the public preview of the Visual Code Extension for Databricks, the lakehouse provider is enabling developers to create data models and applications, advanced intelligence and machine learning with Visual Studio Code (VS Code) before porting them to Databricks.

New capabilities
Visual Code Extension essentially enables developers to use a familiar tool in their most familiar environment before moving it into the Databricks lakehouse. That is significant for developers, according to Donald Farmer, founder and principal of TreeHive Strategy.

Farmer also adds that when vendors force data employees to work in a certain environment rather than a familiar one, it can be a barrier to adoption. The goal of Visual Code Extension Databricks is to make it easier for potential customers to work with the vendor’s lake.

In fact, the community played a significant role in Databricks’ decision to develop Visual Code Extension, according to Tarek Madcor, the vendor’s director of product management.

“We want to meet developers where they are. We want to enable developers to use tools they are familiar with and make them productive with that. Visual Studio Code is one the [most popular] in the industry.”

Madkour said.

He also shares that the company’s primary motivation is to make data workers as successful as possible/ In an effort to achieve this, the vendor frequently communicates with customers to learn what users want to add to the Databricks platform.

Databricks’ roadmap includes developing tools similar to Visual Code Extension that will enable developers to use PyCharm and other programming environments to build applications and models before moving them into a Databricks lakehouse.