Book Image

BBC Micro:bit in Practice

By : Ashwin Pajankar, Abhishek Sharma, Sandeep Saini
Book Image

BBC Micro:bit in Practice

By: Ashwin Pajankar, Abhishek Sharma, Sandeep Saini

Overview of this book

This book is a one-stop guide for learning BBC Micro:bit with MicroPython, exploring many hardware components and programming techniques to provide detailed insights into developing practical applications with the Micro:bit. It will also show you how hardware components can be manipulated using a combination of Micro:bit and MicroPython for developing practical projects. BBC Micro:bit in Practice will help you gain a holistic understanding of the BBC Micro:bit platform and MicroPython programming, guiding you through mini projects aimed at developing practical knowledge of circuit design and writing programs. You’ll learn how to write programs for working with built-in LEDs and buttons, interfacing external LEDs, buttons, motors, buzzers, and much more. You’ll also work with built-in radio, speakers, accelerometer, and a compass. You’ll dive into concepts related to the Micro:bit filesystem, interfacing external displays, and working with libraries in detail before exploring sewable circuits and wearable technology. After reading this Micro:bit book, you’ll understand how to apply principles in electronics and MicroPython to create interesting real-life projects from scratch.
Table of Contents (22 chapters)
1
Part 1: Getting Started with the BBC Micro:bit
6
Part 2: Programming Hardware with MicroPython
10
Part 3: Filesystems and Programming Analog I/O
13
Part 4: Advanced Hardware Interfacing and Applications

Summary

In this chapter, we explored the advanced features of the Python programming language. The final program was specific to MicroPython running on a Micro:bit. From the next chapter onward, all the code demonstrations will be specific to MicroPython running on a Micro:bit, and they will not run on any Python 3 implementation.

After completing this chapter, you will understand the power of the Python programming language. It is simple yet concise and powers devices such as the Micro:bit and other microcontrollers (such as the Raspberry Pi Pico W and ESP32) in the form of MicroPython. Anyone can learn to work with Python and MicroPython. The following is a photograph of my neighbors in my village working on a Micro:bit connected with NeoPixel Ring (we will fully explore this in Chapter 11, Working with NeoPixels and a MAX7219 Display) for their school project:

Figure 4.3 – Schoolkids working on a NeoPixel with a Micro:bit

From the next chapter...