Adafruit Holiday Gift Guide: CircuitPython #adafruitgiftguides
CircuitPython is Adafruit’s branch of MicroPython designed to simplify experimentation and education on low-cost microcontrollers. No compiler, linker or IDE required! Now you can code directly on the device itself. CircuitPython makes it easier than ever to get prototyping by requiring no upfront desktop software downloads – open up main.py in any text editor and type away.
It is great for beginners: With CircuitPython you can write clean and simple Python code to control hardware instead of having to use complex low-level languages like Arduino, C or C++. The simplicity of the Python programming language makes CircuitPython an excellent choice for beginners who are new to programming and hardware.
Experts love it too: skip the annoyances of long-compile cycles, pointers and memory management – get right to the programming you want to do. CircuitPython is also quite full-featured and supports all of Python’s syntax (Python version 3.4) and implements some useful parts of the Python standard library so even seasoned Python veterans will find CircuitPython familiar and fun to use.
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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.
