What is the difference between compiling in editor and building in VS?

Hi, I am kind of a newbie when it comes to C++ programming in Unreal Engine (been using BP’s so far) but today I wanted to start my first C++ project. However, I want to use Visual Studio Code instead of Visual Studio due to Visual Studios GIGANTIC file size.

I have seen that some C++ UE devs compile their code by using the “Build” option in VS instead of using the “Compile” button in the editor. Is there a difference between them? Is it possible to use ONLY the in-editor compile option instead?

Reason I am asking is because in order to build in Visual Studio Code I would have to download the “Visual Build Tools” (Download Visual Studio Tools - Install Free for Windows, Mac, Linux) which is a whole 7GB large (at least according to this tutorial: UE4 / Unreal Engine 4 Make a Game C++ Edition - #01 C++ VSCode Setup - YouTube)! I would rather not have to do that. I am trying to keep my dev enviroment for UE 4 as small and lightweight as humanly possible.

Thanks!

Both have the same end result, and both use the same tool chain I believe. I don’t see how you will be able to do it without at least the command-line build tools.