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Microsoft Refuses to Open Source VSCode Python Language Server

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Re: Microsoft Refuses to Open Source VSCode Python Language Server

#32

I hate to bring out the old “embrace, extend, extinguish” argument, but I honestly can’t think of any other reason for this. Visual Studio Code has gotten really popular lately, but I think very few people realize that many parts of it are closed source. And you can’t take extensions from the Microsoft store and use them in your own editor…this just seems designed to get people to use your editor, give them enough so…

This is Microsoft limiting the extension they created to their IDE. It’s like complaining that Google won’t open source, or support, the Google Cast feature in Firefox or Edge. It’s worse because a non MS entity can always put in the effort to create a Python language server and have that used across IDEs that support the LSP, but the Google Cast protocol is proprietary itself and one cannot even create their own imp…

It’s worse because Microsoft is pushing it as a standard and yet undermining the very arguments they made when they proposed it with their actions. The way they have it now, they get to use all the other LSP implementations “for free” while no other editors get to use their servers. You will note that the old one was open source–Microsoft deliberately closed this one. I really want to believe differently, but it really seems like they kept it open for as long as it took people to adopt LSP and then decided they didn’t have to promote it anymore.

Re: Microsoft Refuses to Open Source VSCode Python Language Server

#33

I hate to bring out the old “embrace, extend, extinguish” argument, but I honestly can’t think of any other reason for this. Visual Studio Code has gotten really popular lately, but I think very few people realize that many parts of it are closed source. And you can’t take extensions from the Microsoft store and use them in your own editor…this just seems designed to get people to use your editor, give them enough so…

Microsoft always does this, they fool people by pretending they’re in favor of open source or make something free but it’s just a trick used to bait and switch people into the proprietary anticompetitive Microsoft ecosystem. https://www.vox.com/2019/10/14/20910510/microsoft-government... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_v._Microsoft_Cor... .

Why should they open source everything? I never see anyone complaining how Apple doesn't open source Safari or XCode. I mean there are plenty other totally open source editors out there to choose from.

Re: Microsoft Refuses to Open Source VSCode Python Language Server

#34
post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The python language server does not cost any money.

https://github.com/microsoft/pylance-release/issues/4#issuec... >Pylance [..] is planned to be included in proprietary service offerings.

That doesn't mean anything. There are many free pieces of software included in proprietary service offerings.

Re: Microsoft Refuses to Open Source VSCode Python Language Server

#35

I would imagine the threat for Microsoft is Amazon picking up what they have done and using it to compete against Azure.

I don't think Amazon needs Pylance to compete against Azure... Heck, they already have a fully integrated IDE, you can essentially open a browser, go to the AWS console and do all your work there (and never leave or store anything locally).

Re: Microsoft Refuses to Open Source VSCode Python Language Server

#37
post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Does Microsoft disallow people from using the Microsoft marketplace for VS code extensions in their own editors? Because I notice on Edge, if I visit the chrome store, it gives me an option to install extensions from there.

Yep. It's the same tactic Signal uses - sure, you can fork it, but the fork can't legally use their servers.

they don't want to pay the server costs for you.

Re: Microsoft Refuses to Open Source VSCode Python Language Server

#38
post #5

God forbid developers and companies try to make money off their work!

Don't know why you're being downvoted. People pay for IDEs all the time since it benefits their productivity but seem to have a problem when Microsoft release free proprietary tools. Maybe someone can explain what the issue is because I don't see it.

It's because microsoft started to open source a lot of stuff and started a direction in which it sells services instead of simply licenses, and then bought the Python BDFL and cut off some projects that fall in line with the expectations of their offerings in the open source space so far.

Re: Microsoft Refuses to Open Source VSCode Python Language Server

#39
Almost the entire thread seems like a case of "give them a finger and they'll take the whole hand"

Microsoft is a profit driven business, it never committed to open-sourcing every piece of software it writes, of course they're trying to somehow make money with VSCode, because it costs money to develop it.

If you don't like it choose another one of the billion text editors and IDEs that exist or write a competitive language server, but nobody 'lured you in' or is extinguishing anyone.

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