62 lines
2.8 KiB
Markdown
62 lines
2.8 KiB
Markdown
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# About
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The [BBC micro:bit](https://www.microbit.co.uk) is a [pocket-size computer](/device) with 25 LEDs, Bluetooth and sensors that can be programmed by anyone.
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The BBC micro:bit was made possible by [a number of partners!](https://www.microbit.co.uk/partners)
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The micro:bit provides a fun introduction to programming and making – switch on, program it to do something fun – wear it, customize it.
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Just like Arduino, the micro:bit can be connected to and interact with sensors, displays, and other devices.
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## Block Editor or JavaScript
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The student can program the BBC micro:bit using a Block Editor or JavaScript.
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```blocks
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basic.showString("BBC micro:bit!");
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```
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## Compile and Flash
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When a user has her code ready, she can connect her BBC micro:bit to a computer via a USB cable, so it appears as a mounted drive.
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Compilation to the ARM thumb machine code happens in the browser.
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The student is prompted to save the ARM binary program to a file, which she then simply drags to the micro:bit mounted drive,
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which flashes the micro:bit device with the new program.
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## Simulator: Test Your Code
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Before a student compiles her code for the micro:bit, she can run it using the micro:bit simulator, all within the confines of a web browser.
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The simulator has support for the LED screen, buttons, as well as compass, accelerometer, and digital I/O pins.
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```sim
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input.onButtonPressed(Button.A, () => {
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basic.showLeds(`
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. . . . .
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. # . # .
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. . . . .
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# . . . #
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. # # # .`);
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});
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input.onGesture(Gesture.Shake, () => {
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basic.showLeds(`
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. . . . .
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. # . # .
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. . . . .
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. # # # .
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# . . . #`);
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});
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```
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To run a student's project in the web browser, KindScript compiles it into JavaScript, the scripting language built into all web browsers.
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C++ and Touch Develop Libraries
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The C++ micro:bit library, created at Lancaster University, provides access to the hardware functions of the micro:bit, as well as a set of helper functions (such as displaying a number/image/string on the LED screen). The Touch Develop micro:bit library mirrors the functions of the C++ library. When a Touch Develop script is compiled to C++, the calls to Touch Develop micro:bit functions are replaced with calls to the corresponding C++ functions.
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Above, see the mapping from the Touch Develop "show number" function to its corresponding the C++ function.
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## C++ Runtime
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The C++ BBC micro:bit library, created at [Lancaster University](http://www.lancaster.ac.uk/), provides access to the hardware functions of the micro:bit,
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as well as a set of helper functions (such as displaying a number/image/string on the LED screen).
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The JavaScript micro:bit library mirrors the functions of the C++ library.
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When code is compiled to C++, the calls to JavaScript micro:bit functions are replaced with calls to the corresponding C++ functions.
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