What is Python?

The #1 Programming language*

• Python: 14.2%
• Matlab: 0.8%
• Labview: 0.14%

* as of March 2022, tiobe.com

What is Python, really?

A really easy to learn programming language

• simple formatting:

  • mostly spaces,
  • few extraneous brackets, braces, or parenthesis
  • No terminating character like ;
  • similar basic keywords as other languages.
  • easy access to complex data types

• https://www.bitdegree.org/tutorials/python-vs-c-plus-plus/

• https://realpython.com/python-vs-cpp/

What else is Python?

An extensible system of software “packages”

• use pip/pypi to install
• install straight from github!

But what makes it unique?

An “interpreted” language

• In its simplest form, the Python interpreter simply runs human-readable scripts*.
• Can load and run code compiled in C, C++ FORTRAN, etc.

* there are many exceptions

Is there anything else?

• “Dynamically Typed”
  • Variables don’t need to be declared as one type or another. You simply set them equal to something and they become that data type.
• Object-oriented
  • concept of classes and inheritance
• “Public” by definition
  • data is not easily hidden.
  • data is accessible by anything

So then, why C?

• Lower level language that is easier to map to hardware-specific registers and functionality
• Compilation makes running code faster and more memory efficient

Python Interpreter

• Simple program that runs scripts or typed commands.
• A lot like bash, powershell, or cmd, only cross-platform and independent of the operating system.

What is MicroPython?

• A slimmed down, limited version of Python that fits within the program space of a little microcontroller
• The system of software packages written for it
• The same idea of an interpreter… you just access it over UART/USB.

What is Thonny?

• a Graphical User Interface (GUI) written in Python
• A text editor
• The interface to your device and its interpreter
• A nice way to re-flash your device

What is Anaconda/Miniconda?

• A way to manage all the “packages” you can install on your PC
• A solution for dealing with conflicting installation requirements.
• A way to share packages that contained OS-specific, compiled libraries.

Why do I need to use Anaconda?

Many packages include libraries that are compiled specific to one operating system

this requires a compiler, and understanding the compilation process in case it doesn’t work

or, requires access to compiled packages

* https://www.lfd.uci.edu/~gohlke/pythonlibs/

Ok, so how do I get started?

1. Install anaconda/miniconda
2. Install Thonny and some other packages
3. Open Thonny
4. Flash the ESP32 with MicroPython over USB
5. Load some micropython libraries
6. Start writing code.