micropython

There are a number of MakeCode-compatible devices with and without Microbit https://arcade.makecode.com/arcade-devices bbcmicrobit/micropython: https://github.com/bbcmicrobit/micropython But Pi Pico; RP2040, RP2350: "Show HN: PicoVGA Library – VGA/TV Display on Raspberry Pi Pico" https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=35117847#35120403 "MaplePad – RP2040 Dreamcast controller, VMU, and Purupuru (rumble pack) emulator" https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=37522059 : > PicoVision pimoroni/picovision micropython: https://github.com/pimoroni/picovision : > PicoVision enables you to create big, bold audio visual projects using MicroPython and an HDMI display of your choice. > powerful digital video stick for bold audio visual adventures, with dual RP2040 chips and a conveniently HDMI-shaped output connector to boot! > [...] dual RP2040 chips a

It's important to point out that EVERYTHING to do with the MicroPython work on the micro:bit was done by a community of volunteers working in their spare time. Source code here: https://github.com/bbcmicrobit/micropython Documentation here: https://microbit-micropython.readthedocs.io/en/latest/ I estimate around 80 people volunteered time to bring Python and associated tools (such as the browser based editor, command line tools and a native editor called "Mu" https://mu.readthedocs.io/en/latest/) to micro:bit. At the heart of all this work was the creator of MicroPython, Damien George who volunteered a huge number of hours to bringing a full reimplementation of Python3 (without standard library) to micro:bit. Check it out, it's awesome. MicroPython is both a reimplementation of Python 3 but on the micro:bit also has music, a simple speech

I helped test the microbit and I wrote a small program for pedagogical purposes. The hardware was very neat and I liked the leds on the back. Originally there was going to be a coin cell battery but they removed it because children might eat it. Also there is a Bluetooth radio on the microbit but the runtime was 12k and there wasn't enough space to load micropython and Bluetooth at the same time . A link to the example is here https://github.com/bbcmicrobit/micropython/blob/master/examp... .

Your script can be up to 8k in length. You have 16k RAM to play with. Obviously, this is a very constrained device and just getting a full re-implementation of Python 3 (sans standard library) is testament to Damien George's engineering brilliance. There's still lots of work to be done and efficiencies to be made. This is only but the start of the project. There are some quite interesting / complicated examples in the source code: https://github.com/bbcmicrobit/micropython/tree/master/examp... Hope this helps!