MicroPython: The best bits!
MicroPython continues to grow in popularity. But why? What is it about this pint-sized version of Python that makes it so darn compelling? What are the best bits of MicroPython?
Join me in this talk for a whirlwind tour of some of the most exciting features of this modern embedded programming language.
See this talk and many more by getting your ticket to PyCon AU now!
I want a ticket!There’s no question; C and C++ are the 800 pound gorillas of the embedded domain. But MicroPython provides a high-level language alternative in this space and, in addition to modern syntax, it also provides unique features that can vastly improve the embedded development experience. Which - let’s be honest! - has barely improved in decades.
So, let’s take a look at some of those features!
For starters, there’s the live REPL. We’ll look at how to use the REPL and why having an immediate way to interact with your device is an indispensable tool.
Python’s asyncio is well-supported in MicroPython and, it turns out, is a very good fit for embedded devices. We’ll look at what makes it such a good fit - and how we can apply libraries like aioble and aiorepl to accelerate development.
To manage a connection to your MicroPython device, the core team provides the official tool, mpremote. We’ll cover some of the useful features it provides and explain how to integrate them into a workflow that allows rapid development.
Although it’s a high-level language, MicroPython balances providing access to low-level features in an accessible way. We’ll briefly touch on using such features as the PIO, RMT, USBDevice and register access. From there we’ll shift to discuss some of the performance optimisation features such as inline assembly, frozen code and the viper and native emitters.
To wrap up, we’ll look at how freakin’ useful it is to be able to run MicroPython on x86 (and even in a browser!).
There’s a lot to cover but these features can really help level-up embedded development!
Matt is a software engineer with more than twenty years professional experience. Yes, sigh, he's getting old.
Having worked on a wide variety of projects - from tiny embedded applications to large web-based systems - means that he has tinkered with most aspects of the software stack. He's enjoyed it all! Apart from technical pursuits he also loves rock climbing and, generally, being in the outdoors.
Matt hosts the Melbourne MicroPython Meetup - and hopes to see you there!