Feature

The basics of CircuitPython for rapid microcontroller-based prototyping and development

While the Python language has made programming more accessible, it was designed to run on PCs and other machines with plenty of processing, memory, and peripheral resources.

01/08/2019 14:41:09

For embedded systems that face tighter resource and interface constraints, an optimised version for microcontrollers, called MicroPython, has become popular. So much so that the open source community has been adapting MicroPython to specific microcontrollers and dev boards.

The reason for Python

The original Arduino dev board and its many successors have been very popular microcontroller dev boards for maker, hobby, and student projects, as well as for embedded prototypes. However, the Arduino IDE and programming language are based on C++, a powerful but complex compiled language with an odd-looking syntax and rigid punctuation rules.

Python is a newer programming language. It is an interpreted, interactive, object-oriented language that combines programming power with a very clear syntax. It is known for its writability and readability, as well as for its simpler syntax. These characteristics combine to reduce the number of programming errors and make code reuse easier.

Read the full article in the August issue of DPA

Written By Sophia Bell

Sophia Bell is the Group Editor of DPA, Connectivity, and PBSI. She joined the team in 2020 as Assistant Editor after achieving a First-Class Honours BA in English Literature and Film Studies from the University of East Anglia. In her current role, she leads the editorial strategy, driving digital growth and ensuring each title continues to deliver trusted, relevant insight for engineering and manufacturing professionals.