Don’t like having to update your boards- especially if you have a lot of them? Well my dad and I made a program that will more or less do it for you. It even updates your libraries for you! And best of all- it’s open source and super flexible. As of writing this, it works and has been tested on macOS and Raspberry Pi.
Features:
– Update CircuitPython and corresponding library bundle
– Default case should be automatic, with reasonable additional flexibility
– Back-up board files before updating and restoring
– Attempt to warn of compatibility concerns related to major versions, pre-release versions, or library reorganization
– Install stable or unstable (pre-release) versions
– Update full library bundle or just the ones installed
– Runs on macOS and Rasbian (and maybe others?)
How does it work?
The updater starts by checking for the “board path” directory, and tries to extract the board type (e.g. “Trinket M0”) and installed version from boot_out.txt; it also looks for lib/lib_bundle.txt where it stores the version of the library bundle it installs.
It then attempts to guess the board’s URL on circuitpython.org based on a “slug” from the board name and extracts the download link for the board’s build of CircuitPython, and gets the download link for the latest corresponding library bundle.
After comparing the version numbers, a summary of what needs updating is printed; if the major version is changing or either of the versions was a pre-release build, it also prompts before continuing, since there may be incompatible changes.
Finally, the UF2 and/or library bundle are downloaded if necessary, the board files are backed up, and the board is ejected, updated and restored. If there were fewer than 100 items in the lib directory originally, only those and not the full bundle are copied onto the device.
Adafruit publishes a wide range of writing and video content, including interviews and reporting on the maker market and the wider technology world. Our standards page is intended as a guide to best practices that Adafruit uses, as well as an outline of the ethical standards Adafruit aspires to. While Adafruit is not an independent journalistic institution, Adafruit strives to be a fair, informative, and positive voice within the community – check it out here: adafruit.com/editorialstandards
Stop breadboarding and soldering – start making immediately! Adafruit’s Circuit Playground is jam-packed with LEDs, sensors, buttons, alligator clip pads and more. Build projects with Circuit Playground in a few minutes with the drag-and-drop MakeCode programming site, learn computer science using the CS Discoveries class on code.org, jump into CircuitPython to learn Python and hardware together, TinyGO, or even use the Arduino IDE. Circuit Playground Express is the newest and best Circuit Playground board, with support for CircuitPython, MakeCode, and Arduino. It has a powerful processor, 10 NeoPixels, mini speaker, InfraRed receive and transmit, two buttons, a switch, 14 alligator clip pads, and lots of sensors: capacitive touch, IR proximity, temperature, light, motion and sound. A whole wide world of electronics and coding is waiting for you, and it fits in the palm of your hand.
Have an amazing project to share? The Electronics Show and Tell is every Wednesday at 7pm ET! To join, head over to YouTube and check out the show’s live chat – we’ll post the link there.
