Building With CircuitPython & Constraints of Python for Microcontrollers

Can you make a version of Python that fits within the memory constraints of a microcontroller and have it still feel like Python? That is the intention behind CircuitPython. This week on the show, we have Scott Shawcroft, who is the project lead for CircuitPython.

We talk about all things CircuitPython. While working with the language on several projects I have developed many of my own questions to ask Scott. Scott answers my questions about boot loaders, packages, the bundle, and bluetooth low energy (BLE).

He also talks about the struggle of fitting the language and board specific libraries within tiny memory constraints. We discuss projects and boards for beginners, and many resources to learn more.

Course Spotlight: Getting Started With MicroPython

Are you interested in the Internet of Things, home automation, and connected devices? If so, then you’re in luck! In this course, you’ll learn about MicroPython and the world of electronics hardware. You’ll set up your board, write your code, and deploy a MicroPython project to your own device.

Topics:

00:00:00 – Introduction

00:01:56 – Background With CircuitPython

00:07:22 – Lightning talk and CircuitPython as a subset of Python

00:16:01 – Working with CircuitPython: Bootloaders and Packages

00:27:20 – Specific libraries, adding modules, and pip

00:37:21 – Sponsor: Rev.ai

00:37:57 – How to program, text editor or IDE

00:41:19 – Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and programming devices remotely

00:50:02 – Video Course Spotlight

00:51:06 – Do you consider yourself a Maker?

00:54:58 – Bringing CircuitPython coding to the Raspberry Pi?

00:59:56 – Suggestions for beginner hardware

01:00:55 – Suggestions for add-on boards for audio or displays

01:10:20 – Electronics Show and Tell Wednesdays

01:11:51 – Events, video streams, and Discord server

01:16:00 – What are you excited about in the world of Python?

01:17:23 – What do you want to learn next?

01:18:42 – Shoutouts and plugs

01:22:40 – Social media info

01:23:52 – Thanks and goodbye

Show Links:

CircuitPython: The easiest way to program microcontrollers

Adafruit

LadyAda.net

MicroPython: Python for Microcontrollers

2021 Python Language Summit Lightning Talks Slides: tannewt GitHub

The 2021 Python Language Summit: Lightning Talks, Round 1

Episode 69: Planning a Faster Future at the Python Language Summit

Episode 47: Unraveling Python’s Syntax to Its Core With Brett Cannon

Syntatic Sugar Series: Brett Cannon

WebAssembly - WASM

Adafruit MacroPad RP2040 Starter Kit

John Park’s Workshop: YouTube Playlist

Code With Mu: A simple Python editor for beginner programmers

BLE - Bluetooth Low Energy: Wikipedia

CircUp: A tool to manage and update libraries (modules) on a CircuitPython device

Blinka: Brings CircuitPython APIs to single board computers

Raspberry Pi 400 Desktop - Full Computer Kit

Electronics Show and Tell Wednesdays: YouTube playlist

learn.adafruit.com

AdaBox: Curated Adafruit products

tannewt GitHub

Adafruit Discord Server: Link to join

Level up your Python skills with our expert-led courses:

Reading and Writing Files With pandas

Documenting Python Code: A Complete Guide

Getting Started With MicroPython

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