69 lines
2.3 KiB
Markdown
69 lines
2.3 KiB
Markdown
```sim
|
||
basic.forever(() => {
|
||
basic.showString("Hi!");
|
||
})
|
||
```
|
||
# About
|
||
|
||
The [BBC micro:bit](https://www.microbit.co.uk) is a [pocket-size computer](/device) with a 5x5 display of 25 LEDs, Bluetooth and sensors that can be programmed by anyone.
|
||
The BBC micro:bit was made possible by many [partners](https://www.microbit.co.uk/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.
|
||
|
||
## Blocks or JavaScript
|
||
|
||
The student can program the BBC micro:bit using [visual blocks](http://www.github.com/Google/blockly) or JavaScript.
|
||
|
||
```blocks
|
||
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.
|
||
|
||
```sim
|
||
input.onButtonPressed(Button.A, () => {
|
||
basic.showLeds(`
|
||
. . . . .
|
||
. # . # .
|
||
. . . . .
|
||
# . . . #
|
||
. # # # .`);
|
||
});
|
||
input.onButtonPressed(Button.B, () => {
|
||
basic.showLeds(`
|
||
. # . # .
|
||
# . # . #
|
||
# . . . #
|
||
. # . # .
|
||
. . # . .`);
|
||
});
|
||
input.onGesture(Gesture.Shake, () => {
|
||
basic.showLeds(`
|
||
. . . . .
|
||
. # . # .
|
||
. . . . .
|
||
. # # # .
|
||
# . . . #`);
|
||
});
|
||
basic.showString("BBC micro:bit");
|
||
```
|
||
|
||
## C++ Runtime
|
||
|
||
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,
|
||
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 ARM machine code, the calls to JavaScript micro:bit functions are replaced with calls to the corresponding C++ functions.
|