[Microbit-Python] A working TouchDevelop Python editor

[Howard Baker-IF&L]

Good news. Thanks Michael.

-----Original Message-----
From: Microbit [mailto:microbit-bounces+howard.baker=bbc.co.uk at python.org] On Behalf Of Nicholas H.Tollervey
Sent: 17 July 2015 16:23
To: microbit at python.org
Subject: Re: [Microbit-Python] A working TouchDevelop Python editor

FYI... the code can be found in this private repos:

https://github.com/sparkslabs/micropython-bit

Michael is adding everyone who has provided a GitHUb username to the repos.

I'd really appreciate feedback - especially on the README instructions
for setting up the developer environment.

Ciao ciao,

Nicholas.

On 17/07/15 16:07, Nicholas H.Tollervey wrote:
> Hi Folks,
>
> As you know, I'd managed to work out how to get a locally running
> development environment set up for TouchDevelop.
>
> So I spent today working out how to make a MicroPython editor that sits
> within TouchDevelop. I've spent about 6 hours on this (most of which was
> trying to work out how TouchDevelop worked).
>
> In any case, you can see the results here:
>
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bP4pgiT2MU
>
> As you can see, it works quite well, includes all the saving / sharing
> functionality that's built into TouchDevelop and looks nice and simple.
>
> I want to host the code somewhere. Michael, you mentioned you had a
> spare private repos I might use..? Can you let me have the details and
> share these with the group. Then I'll push my work (including a
> comprehensive README) so everyone can poke around.
>
> There are a few outstanding issues that need addressing:
>
> 1) TouchDevelop will put the device simulator to the right of the editor
> if there's enough width in the browser. Since we don't target the
> TouchDevelop platform we don't use this simulator and it'll need
> replacing with something more appropriate - such as instructions for how
> to download and flash MicroPython onto the micro:bit.
>
> 2) The code snippets function is merely a stub (resulting in an alert
> message). I imagine a pop-up that will step kids through creating common
> coding patterns from pre-defined fragments. I imagine there being
> fragments for such things as function definitions, while loops and
> if...else branching.
>
> 3) The same goes for help functionality. We can really use our
> imaginations here to provide simple and effective help for users.
>
> 4) It needs testing on whatever the target browsers are. Howard,
> Michael, any idea what these may be..?
>
> It's important to be very clear: THIS EDITOR COMPLETELY IGNORES the
> TouchDevelop AST / Microsoft / ARM compilation toolchain. The modus
> operandi is as simple as possible: write Python, save it, copy it to the
> device. That's it. The only additional functionality is that I piggy
> back on the TouchDevelop cloud based stuff for saving and sharing.
>
> In case you're wondering about the REPL functionality... there is a way
> to do this using Chrome. It comes with a serial API that's only
> available to browser plug-ins. This is a demonstration of one such
> plug-in that connects to the micro:bit running MicroPython and allows
> you to program the device directly (and if you listen carefully, you'll
> hear Damien's infant son playing music in the background):
>
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Fa6NI6CCA0
>
> Of course, any TTY type client can be used (such as PySerial) to connect
> to the REPL if the device is plugged in via USB.
>
> I'm flying out to Bilbao to give a talk at EuroPython soon, but I'll be
> connecting to the internet and I'm more than happy to answer any
> questions. Those of you also at EuroPython come find me and I'll show
> you what I've done. Assuming Michael can get us the private repos,
> perhaps we can start to fill in the snippet and help functionality?
>
> As always, comments, constructive critique and ideas most welcome.
>
> N.
>
>
>
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> Microbit at python.org
> https://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/microbit
>




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