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Source files

This page explains how standard .q and .py source files work in the kdb Visual Studio Code Extension and how they can be executed directly against kdb and kdb Insights Enterprise connections.

Source files behave like normal VS Code files but include built-in execution and connection capabilities. This allows you to write, test, and run q and Python code directly from the editor without switching file formats or using notebook-style interfaces. Source files can execute code on a REPL session, on standalone My q processes, and on kdb Insights Enterprise targets.

With kdb Insights Enterprise connections, you can run code on your scratchpad process or directly on Data Access Processes (DAPs) such as RDB, IDB, or HDB.

How source files differ from workbooks

The standard source files:

  • Are not listed in the WORKBOOKS sidebar.
  • Do not require .kdb. in the filename.
  • Are created using the EXPLORER like any other file, and stored anywhere in your workspace. Unlike Workbooks, they are not listed in the WORKBOOKS panel.

Key features

Key features of standard source files include:

  • Run against the active connection if no specific association is made.
  • Can be explicitly associated with a connection using the Choose Connection code lens.
  • If associated with a kdb Insights Enterprise connection, allow execution against:
    • Scratchpad (default for Insights)
    • Any available DAPs (if the connection is an Insights type)

Associate a connection

For selecting connections and endpoints for unassociated files, consider the following:

  • When a .q or .py file is not associated with a connection, it shows a Choose Connection code lens at the top and runs on the active connection.
  • Clicking Choose Connection allows you to associate the file with a connection.

  • Once associated, the file only executes on that connection.

    choose connection

Run code against a kdb Insights Enterprise connection

When a file is associated with a kdb Insights Enterprise connection, a Choose Connection code lens appears.

Clicking this allows you to choose the execution endpoint:

  • Scratchpad (default)
  • Any available DAP (for example, RDB, HDB)

Next steps