Learning CircuitPython with Circuit Playground Express
1h 45mIntermediate2021-02-24
Authors

Robert Gallup
Technologist, Designer, Maker, and Speaker
Course details
Python is coming to the Internet of Things. That opens vast possibilities, but you need to learn to apply Python differently on the constrained resources of microcontrollers. In this course, instructor Robert Gallup walks you through how to get started, control hardware, add interaction, and connect external components. Robert introduces you to the purpose, background, and limitations of CircuitPython and shows you how to write and upload your first script. He explains the basic elements of a microprocessor, then steps through identifying components on the Circuit Playground Express (CPX) board, controlling the CPX onboard LED, and controlling NeoPixels on the CPX. Robert shows you how to add several different interactions with the CPX. He concludes by showing you how to connect external components, such as a potentiometer and external libraries.
Skills covered
ElectronicsMicrocontrollersHardwarePythonLearningProgramming LanguagesOpen SourceSoftware Development
Concepts
0. Introduction
- 01 - Addressing hardware with Python
- 02 - What you should know
1. CircuitPython First Steps
- 03 - CircuitPython overview
- 04 - Connect the Circuit Playground Express
- 05 - Run programs on Circuit Playground Express (CPX)
- 06 - Set up an editor
- 07 - Your first script
- 08 - Challenge
- 09 - Solution
2. Controlling Hardware
- 10 - Microcontroller principles
- 11 - The Circuit Playground Express (CPX)
- 12 - Controlling the CPX onboard LED
- 13 - More controlling the CPX onboard LED
- 14 - Meet the REPL
- 15 - NeoPixels intro
- 16 - NeoPixels programming
- 17 - NeoPixels advanced programming
3. Adding Interaction
- 18 - Using buttons and the switch
- 19 - Making sounds
- 20 - Sensing temperature
- 21 - Using the accelerometer
- 22 - Responding to touch
4. Connecting External Components
- 23 - Understanding basic circuits
- 24 - Using a potentiometer
- 25 - External libraries
- 26 - Using external libraries
- 27 - Additional external components
Conclusion
- 28 - Next steps
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