Tools of the Trade: Your MicroPython Gadget Roundup

Alright, fellow adventurers! It's time to gear up for your MicroPython coding adventure with the Raspberry Pi Pico microcontroller!

Before we dive in to coding, let's set up the right tools to make your journey smooth sailing.

In the following workshops, we'll cover the essential hardware – all the electronic bits and pieces, and software – the app you'll need to start writing and running your code.

We'll help you order your Pico microcontroller and all the fixings, and guide you through setting up Thonny, your coding environment.

Adventure Tip:

Eager to start shopping? Jump ahead to the Hardware workshop and check out page 2 of the Gear up Guide for a list and links to buy your gear!

Thonny: Your Coding Companion

The Thonny Integrated Development Environment, or "IDE", is like a supercharged text editor with built-in tools to make coding a breeze. Thonny is a fantastic IDE to start your adventure!

Cool features include:

• Built-in Python 3 interpreter - This turns your code into action!
• The Shell - See your code's "output" and catch any error messages.
• Variable inspector - Keeps an eye on where your data is stored.
• Step-through debugger - Execute code line by line to understand program flow.
• Syntax error highlighting - Catch typos and punctuation mistakes before they become bugs.
• Auto-completion - Get code suggestions as you type

Best of all, Thonny is free! We'll guide you through downloading and installing it on your Windows, Mac, or Linux computer.

Raspberry Pi Pico W: Pocket-sized Adventure

Meet the Raspberry Pi Pico W microcontroller (with headers) – the tiny-yet-mighty heart of our coding adventure! This pocket-sized computer is perfect for programs that interact with the real world.

Key features of the Pico W:

• "W" for Wireless - Built-in Wi-Fi for endless possibilities
• Pre-installed headers - Easy connections for your electronic components
• Micro-USB port - Connect to your computer for power and data transfer

Fun Fact:

The Pico W boasts 40 General Purpose Input and Output, or "GPIO" connectors called "pins" – 26 for direct input/output control, and 14 for power, ground, and special functions. It's a tiny powerhouse ready for big adventures!

The "headers" are connector "pins" that are pre-soldered to your Pico board. Make sure to order your board with headers already installed so you can hit the ground running.

Incidentally, while we have you here, you're probably already familiar with the USB cable, often used to charge mobile phones and transfer data over them. USB stands for Universal Serial Bus. USB is a standard for connecting computers and electronic devices, allowing for data transfer and power supply through a single cable.

The term "serial" means that data that is transferred over the cable is sent one bit at a time, in a series. It's sort of like a line of people waiting at the check-out stand at a grocery store. The cashier manages one customer at a time.

The term "bus" is a way of describing the idea that data moves through the cable, sort of like it's riding a bus from one bus-terminal to another.

USB cables come with a number of different connector types:

USB-A: The most common, flat rectangular connector found on computers and chargers.

USB-B: A square connector with slightly beveled corners, often used on printers and scanners.

USB-C: A small, reversible connector that's becoming increasingly common on modern devices.

Mini-USB: An older, small connector that was common on digital cameras and older smartphoness.

Micro-USB: A small, trapezoid-shaped connector common on older smartphones and small electronics. Your Raspberry Pi Pico W uses this type of connector.

There are other methods for transferring data as well. Another common one is a parallel bus that sends multiple bits of data at the same time. Think of it as if all the checkstands at the grocery store are open, each one processing a customer at the same time. Parallel busses can be faster than serial busses as they process more data at once.

Electronics Building Blocks

To bring your Pico projects to life, you'll need a few magical items:

• Breadboards - These are your project's playground! Plug in components and make connections without any soldering wizardry
• Jumper Wires - Also known as Dupont jumpers, colorful wires that connect your electronic components
• LEDs, Resistors, and Buttons - The building blocks of electronic adventures! Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) bring the glow, resistors control the flow, and buttons give you control

With these tools in your backpack, you'll be ready to experiment, connect, and program your way through exciting Pico projects. No soldering required – just plug, play, and let your creativity soar!

Adventure Recap:

Let's take a quick look at what you have already discovered:

• What an IDE is and some of the benefits for coding
• The Pico W microcontroller
• What GPIO and headers are