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