This time, let’s take a look at CircuitPython which I learned while trying to play with Raspberry Pi.
CircuitPython is a language designed to simplify programming on inexpensive microcontroller boards. If Arduino is programmed in C, CircuitPython will be a language that controls hardware based on Python, as its name suggests.
As you know, Python is currently growing fast and is being used in a variety of ways. That’s because it’s easy to learn, based on the language intuition and various libraries that Python has. That’s why CircuitPython is easy to learn.
It’s only a few days now, but it supports a variety of boards based on Arm processors, so please refer to https://circuitpython.org/downloads to find out which boards are supported.
CircuitPython supports not only microcontrollers but also SBCs (Single Board Computer) through a library called ‘Blinka’. I‘m going to use the Blinka library to play with a Raspberry Pi, one of SBC’s flagship boards. Blinka seems to have been working on a development project at ‘adafruit’ which I learned about Arduino. So it’s very likely that Adafruit supports a lot of breakout boards. (Ed: Yes, 56+ at last count).
Let’s deal with the application of a variety of sensors using the Raspberry Pi Raspberry Pi. 8 bit microcontrollers such as Arduino and OS-based SBCs such as Raspberry Pi have different uses from the start, so the tutorial won’t be long. We also run it on YouTube. If you are interested, please subscribe ~:)
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.
