Creating a new file foo.ipynb gives me a plain text code cell but the kernel is python 3

[TylerLeonhardt]

Testing #129463

Ok for this one I technically have the Jupyter extension installed...

In the workbench I created a foo.ipynb file and then opened that file. I do not have the Python extension installed but I do have the Jupyter extension installed.

A couple odd things I noticed:

• I am given a plaintext cell that's runnable
• the kernel is set to python and the cell is plaintext
• the notification about the python extension (do I need it?)

[roblourens]

An ipynb can hold any language, we try to default to python but only if the python extension is installed

vscode/extensions/ipynb/src/helpers.ts

Line 23 in 26625e8

// Default to python language only if the Python extension is installed.

@DonJayamanne why do this only if the Python extension is installed? Seems like python is better than nothing.

[TylerLeonhardt]

@roblourens or at least default to Python if the kernel is Python 3?

[roblourens]

Didn't you pick the kernel after creating the notebook? Or maybe we auto select the kernel in some case even when you haven't picked it yet... in which case it's still picked after the notebook was created and opened

[roblourens]

We are also revamping the whole "new notebook" flow and this will probably all be improved in the future #128592

[DonJayamanne]

hy do this only if the Python extension is installed? Seems like python is better than nothing.

Majority of the notebook users are Python, hence we default to python.
FYI - we had code in our extnesion that:

• keeps track of the language of the code cells of the last saved notebook.
• Subsequent new notebooks would default to having an empty cell with that language, instead of plaintext

The goal of that is, if users work on Python notebooks most of the time, then new notebooks will have the first cell defaulting to python. I.e. less work for users, else they need to constantly change that.

Changing the kernel manually will result in the cells getting updated with the appropriate language. However that's not the best experience.
If a user wants to start typing code into a cell, the syntax highlithing is incorrect (not python or last used language), then they need to change this manually & then again select a kernel.

[roblourens]

Majority of the notebook users are Python, hence we default to python.

Only if the Python extension is installed, I just want to remove that check

Changing the kernel manually will result in the cells getting updated with the appropriate language. However that's not the best experience.

I don't see that happening, but maybe it happens if the python extension is installed?

[DonJayamanne]

Closing this issue as its been resolved:

• When attempting to run you should be prompted to install an extension that contributes kernels
• The language of the cell should change as you select a jupyter kernel (such as Python, R, Julia, etc)