Isue uploading code: the selected serial port _ does not exist...

Development Tools Uploading
1

Hey,
I am new at programing with Arduino´s / ESP´s

after uploading the code I get the error:
the selected serial port _
does not exist or your board is not connected

what does this mean and how can I fix it?

I am using an ESP8266 and a CP2102 USB to UART

2

Need a little more information. For example, is this a development board with the UART already on board or a separate ESP8266 and UART? If the latter then how are the connections made? When connected to the computer does it show up as a serial port? Is the correct board and port selected in the Arduino IDE prior to upload?