1. Introduction

1.1. PC-Microbit-extension documentation

These docs will help you code your microbit using micropython.

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1.2. Home pages:

year 7

microbit: https://pc-microbit-micropython.readthedocs.io/en/latest/index.html

bots: https://pc-microbit-extension.readthedocs.io/en/latest/index.html

year 9-10

algorithms: https://pc-algorithms.readthedocs.io/en/latest/index.html

app development: https://pc-app-development.readthedocs.io/en/latest/index.html

python

python: https://pc-python.readthedocs.io/en/latest/index.html

pillow: https://pc-pillow.readthedocs.io/en/latest/index.html

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1.3. Key microbit references:

microbit:

latest: https://microbit-micropython.readthedocs.io/en/latest/index.html

v2 from 2022: https://microbit-micropython.readthedocs.io/en/v2-docs/index.html

v1 in 2021: https://microbit-micropython.readthedocs.io/en/v1.0.1/index.html

Features: https://microbit.org/get-started/user-guide/features-in-depth/

Microbit website: https://microbit.org/

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1.4. Microbit software using micropython:

The standard online micropython editor: https://python.microbit.org/v/3.

This is the most up to date editor.

Comparison of microbit programming options:

The Mu editor for laptops, https://codewith.mu/en/tutorials/1.1/microbit, is the first choice for coding on the microbit.

Thonny for laptops, can be downloaded from https://thonny.org/.

See: https://core-electronics.com.au/tutorials/how-to-program-a-microbit-using-thonny.html for setting up the microbit to use Thonny.

Edublocks, https://app.edublocks.org/#MicroBit, is an online editor with both blocky code and micropython consistent with Mu editor, and can display the block code and micropython code side by side.

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1.5. Micropython simulator:

Create with code UK, https://create.withcode.uk/, works with standard python or micropython.

Starting the code with “from microbit import *” will pop up the simulator when the code is run.

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1.6. Blocky code simulator:

The Makecode website https://makecode.microbit.org/ allows blocky code use, but it has its own unique version of micropython based on its own translation of the typescript code that it uses, and so it will not work with Mu editor or the standard online micropython editor. It has an excellent simulator and vast extensions library for exploring other devices that can be connected to the microbit.

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1.7. Out of Box hex file v2

The hex file that is on new microbits can be found at: https://microbit.org/get-started/user-guide/out-of-box-experience/

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1.8. Firmware

See: https://microbit.org/get-started/user-guide/firmware/

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1.9. Sleep, Power off, wake

See: https://support.microbit.org/support/solutions/articles/19000120358-how-do-i-power-off-or-put-the-micro-bit-to-sleep-

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1.10. Useful sites:

• http://multiwingspan.co.uk/micro.php (no access from school)

• https://microbit.pinout.xyz/pin-3v-power.html

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For beginners, using blocky code, these sites may be useful:

• https://microbit.org/projects/make-it-code-it/?filters=python

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1.11. Python references:

For an introduction to python see:

• https://docs.python.org/3.12/tutorial/introduction.html

• https://docs.python.org/3.12/tutorial/index.html

• https://www.w3schools.com/python/default.asp

• https://www.programiz.com/python-programming

• https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/python-programming-language/?ref=shm

• https://www.pythontutorial.net/

• https://www.tutorialsteacher.com/python

• https://realpython.com/tutorials/python/

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Tip

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