RP's Programming languages

Will focus on RP2040 but works for others µC
Installations and descriptions are written for Linux users but can be (quite) easily adapted for other systems (any contribution is welcome!)

Languages

Here are listed the (main?) languages you can use to program your RP (raspberry pico) microcontrollers. They are listed from the most user-friendly to the “geekiest” solutions. If you’re unsure, just pick the first one!

microPython

If you want to explore RP’s capabilities in a easy-yet-powerfull way. This is also a good choice if you want to test (and become an expert with) PIO, taking advantage of both microPython environnement and PIO hardware power!

C/C++ : Arduino

If you want to stick with famous Arduino-IDE environment because you are used to it and/or you want to keep your compiled code very light and efficient.

circuitPython

The Adafruit implementation of Python for embedded electronics. The easiest to use (but possibly a bit less efficient) solution for embedded Python with a lot of pretty advanced libraries.

C/C++ : pico SDK

Where the real pros are developping code close to the very hardware, writing “pure” C/C++, withou Arduino’s libraries. The experts’ choice.

JavaScript

Just because “yes you can” even run JavaScript code in embedded electronics. Fun to test so you can say you did it (and if you’re a JavaScript lover).

Rust

The new real competitor to C/C++! Rust will have no mercy and will only let you write absolutely perfect code, avoiding most of the classic pitfalls of code writing. Embedded rust is still a difficult world to grasp, but it’s a magnificent jungle to explore for the most adventurous and expert!

Go

Like Rust, the Google Go language was designed to solve many of the problems of conventional programming (C/C++), while maintaining high compiled efficiency and managing concurrent programming. Unfortunately, the current implementation of Go for embedded applications (tinyGo) does not yet manage this last aspect. Nevertheless, you might want to add it to your arsenal just to display that cute little mascot as I did.

ASM (Assembly)

You never have enough, right? If you really, really want to dig to the deepest hardware of your microcontroller, you’ll have to speak its very language : which is knowing the “instructions set” your microcontroller understands. Assembly “language” is thus highly architecture-dependent and will differ from a chip to another.