82 lines
3.0 KiB
Markdown
82 lines
3.0 KiB
Markdown
# Running programs on your micro:bit
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How to compile, transfer, and run a program on your micro:bit on **Chrome for Windows**.
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While you're writing and testing your programs, you'll mostly be [running them
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in the simulator](/device/simulator), but once you've finished your program you
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can **compile** it and run it on your micro:bit.
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The basic steps are:
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1. Connect your micro:bit to your computer via USB
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2. Click **Download** and download the `.hex` file
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3. Copy the `.hex` file from your computer onto the micro:bit drive
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### ~hint
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You can use the [micro:bit uploader](/uploader) to automatically deploy ``.hex`` files to your micro:bit!
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![](/static/uploader/tooltip.png)
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### ~
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## Requirements
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You need the following things to transfer and run a script on your micro:bit:
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* A-Male to Micro USB cable to connect your computer to your micro:bit. This is
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the same cable that is commonly used to connect a smart phone to a computer.
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* A PC running Windows 7 or later, or a Mac running OS X 10.6 or later
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## Step 1: Connect your micro:bit to your computer
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First, connect the micro:bit:
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1. Connect the small end of the USB cable to the micro USB port on your micro:bit.
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2. Connect the other end of the USB cable to a USB port on your computer.
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Your computer should recognise your micro:bit as a new drive. On computers
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running Windows, `MICROBIT` appears as a drive under Devices and drives. On a Mac
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it appears as a new drive under Devices.
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![](/static/mb/device/usb-windows-device.jpg)
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## Step 2: Download your program
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1. Open your project on [codethemicrobit.com](https://codethemicrobit.com)
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2. Click **Download**
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3. When prompted, choose to **save** the compiled file onto your computer. The
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prompt will be different depending on which browser you are using, or
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whether you are using a Windows computer or a Mac
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Your `.hex` file appears as a download at the bottom of the browser. Click on
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the arrow next to the name of the file and then click **Show in folder**.
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![](/static/mb/device/usb-windows-chrome.png)
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Drag and drop the `.hex` file from the download folder onto the `MICROBIT` drive.
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## Step 3: Transfer the file to your micro:bit
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* Once you've found the folder containing your `.hex` file, drag and drop it
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onto your `MICROBIT` drive
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* The LED on the back of your micro:bit flashes during the transfer (which
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should only take a few seconds).
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* Once transferred, the code will run automatically on your micro:bit. To rerun
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your program, press the reset button on the back of your micro:bit. The reset
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button automatically runs the newest file on the micro:bit.
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In File Explorer, right-click on the hex file (created in Step 2 above), choose **Send to**, and then **MICROBIT**.
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![](/static/mb/device/usb-windows-sendto.jpg)
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By copying the script onto the `MICROBIT` drive, you have programmed it into the
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flash memory on the micro:bit, which means even after you unplug the micro:bit,
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your program will still run if the micro:bit is powered by battery.
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### ~hint
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Transfer not working? See some [troubleshooting tips](/device/usb/troubleshooting).
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### ~
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