Blog post on Micro Hobby discussing new features of Linux Kernal 5.5:
This last Sunday, 01/26/2020, the first version of the Linux Kernel of the year was released, v5.5. In this version we have new features in gpiolib, new interfaces for pin configuration. Now we can configure a pin as a pull-up or pull-down via user space 😍.
libgpiod makes it very easy to use the interfaces, abstracting the calls from ioctl, open and read on /dev/gpiochip files. In addition to having complete command line tools, which can facilitate use in bash scripts for example. It is a library maintained by the community that has contributors who are also part of the Linux Kernel developers, in fact maintainers of the gpio and pin control subsystems.
gpiolib is quite complete. Now we can say goodbye to /sys/class/gpio and wiringPi libraries (writing in /dev/mem that ugly 😢) without fear! The new user space GPIO management interfaces are the most secure, reliable and recommended way to work with GPIOs. They are designed to work in conjunction with the kernel space, to keep track of hardware and resource states in the best way.
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.
