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micro:bit

PC working environment: 1

  • PC：MacBook Pro (13-inch, M1, 2020)
  • OS: macOS Ventura (ver 13.0.1)
  • Terminal：zsh
  • Setting : Rosetta

PC working environment: 2

  • PC：DELL Inspiron 15 5567 (Core i7 7500U)
  • OS: linux, Ubuntu 22.04 LTS

1. Read DATA SHEET

At first, browse through micro:bit site.
The BBC micro:bit is a pocket-sized computer that introduces you to how software and hardware work together.

1-2) Feature

  • It has an LED light display, buttons, sensors and many input/output features.
  • The new micro:bit with sound adds a built-in microphone and speaker.
    alt text

1-2) The programming tool

Can program from a computer, phone or tablet with internet access
- Microsoft MakeCode (Web browser block editor)
- Scratch (block coding)
- MycroPython (text-based programming)

2 Programming with LED + Botton with Microsoft MakeCode

Before Start programming, I refer to Let's code

2-1) Process

  • In Web browser, Open Microsoft MakeCode.

  • Go to Microsoft Makecode, and Click New Project with block. alt text

    In Microsoft Makecode, can switch to JavaScript and MicroPython code.
    - JavaScript code alt text
    - MicroPython code alt text

  • Download your code.

  • Connect your micro:bit to your PC through USB code.
    • (Automatically, the micro:bit folder appears in your PC.) alt text
  • Move the Download file to micro:bit folder.
  • Check the result
    • Success! In this short video, you can see the operation.

2-2) Error with MacBook Pro (M1, 2020)

  • On a MacBook Pro (13-inch, M1, 2020) (OS:macOS Ventura), an error occurred when moving the download file to the micro:bit folder.
  • On DELL (OS:Linux), no error occurred and the program could be reflected to the micro:bit.

2. Personal Impressions

  • micro:bit's "Microsoft MakeCode (block editor)" was good for kids and beginners, because it was so easy, and it can switch to Javascript or python, so I might use it for learning those languages during create code.
  • Due to the above error, we had to change the computer and work on it, and we had to buy a new USB cable, which was time consuming and difficult.
  • It has been about a month since Fabacademy started. I had to buy Various types of USB cords to do assignment. I was annoyed as to why they didn't standardize on the same type!