mpymike

There is MPY which is very easy to use (he says shamelessly), it uses a subset of Python to program a Launchpad. Or there is the Micro Python board which runs a full implementation of Python. http://micropython.org/ Python is now the most popular introductory language.

Hi, The Console window is the bottom window of the mpyEditor it has a tab label of 'Mpy'. You should see

Hi, There is no specific library for SPI or NRF24l01. The only support for serial devices is the interrupt_setup() command (see here) This sets up the uart on the msp430 to receive data on pin P1.1 at 9600 baud. For the time being you would need to write your own driver.

For me the motivation for using Python is that it is an easier language to introduce to kids. A full Python implementation is a higher level more sophisticated language, has higher level constructs, more abstraction is possible, more compact code, easier to understand, easier to maintain, faster development time. (ie the usual arguments between language benefits) I would not claim that the Python implementation would be any more efficient, in memory or performance. Looked at Lua some time back, I like the language a lot, and probably a better language for a uC than Python but for

Thanks t0mpr1c3, interesting reading, I shall keep an eye on how uJava progresses. First thoughts, the memory footprint does look smaller than MicroPython, which could be due to many reasons. My original motivation for using the 430 Launchpads: 1) The price - when it was $4.30 2) Simple architecture that is easy to understand and explain. 3) DIL component that can be plugged into a breadboard, making it more useful for building electronic projects. Now however the ARM products are ubiquitous... Anyone know of a standalone ARM uC in a DIL package?

@@t0mpr1c3 I think it depends on the size of the bytecode VM. As I remember, Forth is fairly simple and can fit onto a small uC. But I wasn't aware of any Java VM that can fit onto a small uC. If anyone knows of one I'd like to look at it. May even be suitable forJython. (which is Python running on a Java VM) @@rockets4kids The source is not released yet, but from his kickstarter page he describes it as: Micro Python has the following features: Full implementation of the Python 3 grammar (but not yet all of Python's standard libraries). Implements a lexer, parser, compiler, virtua

MicroPython is a pretty full python implementation of the language. Setting aside the large memory footprint overhead, the main issue will be that it will lack all the libraries and especially the hardware libraries (at least initially) It will have a long way to go to catchup with the extensive Arduino/Energia selection. IMO describing Python as a scripting language is a bit meaningless. More relevant is the fact that most python implementations including MicroPython are byte code interpreted. The virtual machine is running on the microcontroller. That must account for a hefty

I had to go for it! I signed up for one of the MicroPython boards. Really like the small breadboard friendly footprint and SD socket. For me the beauty of Python is that it is compact, readable, intuitive, and easy to learn. There are free libraries for just about everything. IMO using python is the quickest way of developing software. So porting it to microcontrollers is the holy grail. It is a shame that Python requires such a large memory footprint to run, putting it out of reach for the modest msp430s. With the MicroPython project the author has completely rewritten Pytho

No, at the moment mpy is for MSP430 only

Thankyou everyone! I had a whole lot of fun doing this project. Halloween evening started out really well, I also brought out the mpy creeper and zombie models and programmed up some other Launchpads with flashing led displays. There was a lot going on. However my poor ghost was so busy shuddering and rushing up and down the garden that by about 8:00pm the motor started straining for some reason, and then the string snapped :crazy: I think part of the problem was the ultrasonic detector started triggering sporadically. So at the end it was triggering and constantly on the g

MPY Halloween Ghost Project This project is a scary ghost for halloween. It is setup in the front garden to scare away the hordes of trick-or-treaters. When a passing trick-or-treater approaches the ghost will scream and move back and forth along side the garden path. Go to the projects page for more details http://forum.43oh.com/topic/4524-mpy-halloween-ghost-project/ Also see the video: http://youtu.be/80EAMJM0L7k

MPY Halloween Ghost Project This project is a scary ghost for halloween. It is setup in the front garden to scare away the hordes of trick-or-treaters. When a passing trick-or-treater approaches the ghost will scream and move back and forth along side the garden path. It uses two MSP430s, One for the Ghost to detect passing trick-or-treaters and a second MSP430 to pull the Ghost on a loop of string. See it in action in the video. The Ghost The msp430 in the ghost is mounted onto a breadboard with a battery pack stuck to the back. An HC-SR04 ultrasonic detector is used to de

@b# I'm ok, I have Launchpads coming out of my ears!

Yeah Its a ghost suspended on a loop of string running from front gate to front door. Launchpad #1 mounted in the ghost detects trick-or-treaters (ping detector) Flashes LEDs, screams through a speaker, sends signal (RF Tx module) Launchpad #2 receives signal (RF Rx module) and switches on the motor which pulls the ghost on the string towards the front door along side the trick-or-treaters They freak out and run away never to be seen again. Still waiting for my rf modules from elecrow.com though

Sounds fun! I might have a go. If I can find the time that is.