MicroPython IDE

Discussion about programs, libraries and tools that work with MicroPython. Mostly these are provided by a third party.
Target audience: All users and developers of MicroPython.
guyd
Posts: 81
Joined: Fri Jul 20, 2018 6:08 am

MicroPython IDE

Post by guyd » Tue Jul 24, 2018 1:13 pm

Hi,
Since coding using VIM, rshell it to pyboard to debug it quite tiring, I'm looking for IDE for linux.
Guy

User avatar
philwilkinson40
Posts: 63
Joined: Tue Nov 14, 2017 3:11 am
Location: Perth, Australia

Re: MicroPython IDE

Post by philwilkinson40 » Tue Jul 24, 2018 10:50 pm

I think the lack of a strong IDE is a real barrier to entry to using Micropython (particularly for beginners).

As a hacker-level maker (non commercial) I personally use Atom on linux Ubuntu to write code and manage small projects. I can also directly interface with the REPL using Pycom's PYMAKR Atom plugin. If you are using Pycom boards the Pymakr functionality is far better of course.
I still use RSHELL to transfer files, so definitely not a complete IDE, but this set up suits my needs.

If you have the development skills, perhaps help MU-Editor develop their editor for more ports. Currently it supports Circuitpython and MicroBit.

guyd
Posts: 81
Joined: Fri Jul 20, 2018 6:08 am

Re: MicroPython IDE

Post by guyd » Wed Jul 25, 2018 3:34 am

Thank you for replying,
I'm using python for more than a year- so I'm not such a begginer :)

I've found

Code: Select all

https://plugins.jetbrains.com/plugin/9777-micropython
, a pycharm plugin - which seems great- but I did find a real instuction installing and using it.

I have no problem using rshell to flash files, but more the fact of compile error, typos and so.
You mentioned atom - does it have a plugin for compiling ?

User avatar
pythoncoder
Posts: 5956
Joined: Fri Jul 18, 2014 8:01 am
Location: UK
Contact:

Re: MicroPython IDE

Post by pythoncoder » Wed Jul 25, 2018 5:03 am

guyd wrote:
Wed Jul 25, 2018 3:34 am
...I have no problem using rshell to flash files...
You'll find that rshell is pretty capable - I recommend studying the readme and getting to know all its features. I use it exclusively. The one feature of an IDE I miss is a debugger but MicroPython currently lacks debugger support so, alas, you aren't going to find one. At least AFAIK.
Peter Hinch
Index to my micropython libraries.

guyd
Posts: 81
Joined: Fri Jul 20, 2018 6:08 am

Re: MicroPython IDE

Post by guyd » Wed Jul 25, 2018 8:35 am

well the lack of debugging is main issue- especially since some modules have different syntax, functions and so - which make debuggin only after flashing, tiresome.

Are you familiar with Pycharms MicroPython plugin ?

able_archer
Posts: 3
Joined: Sun Feb 25, 2018 4:58 am

Re: MicroPython IDE

Post by able_archer » Wed Jul 25, 2018 9:14 am

Hey, I'm in the same boat as you, was also looking for a full-featured but simple IDE under Linux for a while.

https://thonny.org/ has very recently released plugin support for Micropython and Circuitpython.
https://bitbucket.org/plas/thonny-micropython
Note that you shouldn't install the default release from the main page, but the newest (as of right now) thonny-2.2.0b4 beta from: https://bitbucket.org/plas/thonny/downloads/
And just follow the simple plugin installation instructions.
Thonny itself is meant for beginners, but seems to have all the important options, including debugging. You can also theme it as you see fit.
You still get the full REPL, but can also upload programs directly. And even flash new firmware from the looks of it. Pretty cool imo.

For installation instructions for Pycharms MicroPython plugin, see https://learn.adafruit.com/welcome-to-c ... cuitpython

There are also multiple Jupyter Notebook plugins, but I haven't looked into that yet.

And yes, it would be cool if they added support for mu-editor, its currently Circuitpython and Microbit only.

guyd
Posts: 81
Joined: Fri Jul 20, 2018 6:08 am

Re: MicroPython IDE

Post by guyd » Thu Jul 26, 2018 7:28 am

I tried PyCharm's plugin to Micropython.
For starters it an IDE, abit not easy to use/ install- but i'm working on it.
it offers flashing of project directly to pyboard.... Nice, but ... not perfect yet

able_archer
Posts: 3
Joined: Sun Feb 25, 2018 4:58 am

Re: MicroPython IDE

Post by able_archer » Thu Jul 26, 2018 7:57 am

Well, there are multiple options, not only Pycharm.
For an IDE that's less complex to install and configure, I recommend Thonny.
Just install the needed plugins and you're done.

guyd
Posts: 81
Joined: Fri Jul 20, 2018 6:08 am

Re: MicroPython IDE

Post by guyd » Sun Jul 29, 2018 9:03 am

able_archer wrote:
Thu Jul 26, 2018 7:57 am
Well, there are multiple options, not only Pycharm.
For an IDE that's less complex to install and configure, I recommend Thonny.
Just install the needed plugins and you're done.
must say that after installing Thonny- could able to use micropython plugin
BUT- after understanding PyCharm's plugin logic - it works 95% OK!!!

Guy

User avatar
murilopolese
Posts: 3
Joined: Tue Apr 03, 2018 12:06 pm

Re: MicroPython IDE

Post by murilopolese » Wed Oct 03, 2018 10:36 am

I use Mu Editor as my main MicroPython IDE. It's really great for small to medium projects.
It works with the BBC:micro-bit and Adafruit boards but also with a few ESP8266 and ESP32.
The only catch for the "non supported" boards is that you must run Mu Editor from the source code after poking a few lines.
The code is very readable. You just need to skip the "vid" and "pid" filter and you are ready to go: Capable code editor, REPL and file transfer.

I am also trying to grow https://flying-circus-ide.herokuapp.com/ into a fully capable MicroPython IDE but right now I'm mainly using it to work with devices over REPL, which Mu isn't able to.

Flying Circus works fine but I'm sure someone will do much better, so I also created https://github.com/murilopolese/webrepl-client which is all the Javascript you need to connect to the WebREPL, evaluate code, enter and exit raw repl, send keyboard interrupts, etc... I guess that could enable a plugin for Sublime/Atom/VSCode/Whatever web based editor.

Post Reply