Microsoft Garage Interns just released a simulator for the Adafruit CLUE and BBC micro:bit #CLUE #microbit @Adafruit @MSFTGarage
Microsoft Garage Interns are excited to announce that the Device Simulator Express, a Microsoft Garage project, now includes support for the Adafruit CLUE and the BBC micro:bit! The VS code extension, originally released last summer with support for the Adafruit Circuit Playground Express, and now with two more supported boards, is an even better tool to program microcontrollers—with or without the physical devices.
Garage Interns build projects in response to challenges from engineering teams at Microsoft; their sponsor asked them to expand the original Garage project to the BBC micro:bit, which has gained massive popularity in the UK and beyond. After they released this version update, they learned that Adafruit was planning to give away their new CLUE device at PyCon 2020, and the team set out to add support for this circuit board as well.
Device Simulator Express allows developers to use industry-like tools to program and simulate circuit boards. This is a great way to learn more about CircuitPython and get a preview of professional developer tools such as VS Code.
Key features include:
Device simulation for those without hardware
Code deployment to devices
Auto-completion and error flagging
Integrated Python debugging for the simulator
Template file generation
Serial monitor (available on Windows and Mac only)
Whether you have a little more downtime right now, are trying to pick up a new skill, or are looking for new ways to engage kids and students, we hope you try out Device Simulator Express.
You can download the free extension in the Visual Studio Marketplace. The Microsoft Garage Intern team would love to hear your feedback on GitHub.
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.
