Recommended downloader/debugger for MicroPython on ESP32

All ESP32 boards running MicroPython.
Target audience: MicroPython users with an ESP32 board.
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timg11
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Joined: Sun Feb 14, 2021 10:51 pm

Recommended downloader/debugger for MicroPython on ESP32

Post by timg11 » Tue May 04, 2021 12:32 pm

I started out using uPyCraft, but I'm finding many issues, and the project seems to be dead.

I have many choices for text editing Python. I need the tool to download the programs to the ESP32 and debug.
What are the best options at this time?

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rcolistete
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Re: Recommended downloader/debugger for MicroPython on ESP32

Post by rcolistete » Tue May 04, 2021 2:44 pm

I recommend Thonny :
https://thonny.org/
My "MicroPython Samples". My "MicroPython Firmwares" with many options (double precision, ulab, etc).

timg11
Posts: 19
Joined: Sun Feb 14, 2021 10:51 pm

Re: Recommended downloader/debugger for MicroPython on ESP32

Post by timg11 » Tue May 04, 2021 5:44 pm

Thanks - I've seen other references to Thonny. The install notes say that the package integrates Thonny and Python 3.7.

I already have Python 3.8 installed in Windows 10 64 bit.

There are some notes on using pip install but they start out with
Installing Thonny and Python separately
In the following I'm assuming that you want to install Thonny on Python 3.7 and Python is installed in the default location.
My Python 3.8 is not in the default location.

Is there further guidance on how to avoid thorny issues with multiple versions and paths, etc.

timg11
Posts: 19
Joined: Sun Feb 14, 2021 10:51 pm

Re: Recommended downloader/debugger for MicroPython on ESP32

Post by timg11 » Tue May 04, 2021 6:09 pm

I went ahead and tried

Code: Select all

pip install -U thonnyapp
It worked fine. It initially configured itself to use my Python 3.8 under Windows 10 64 bit.

Under Options I found "Interpreter", which has the option of MicroPython on ESP32. Below that, I could set the COM port, and then it recognized the ESP32 MicroPython v1.15, and was ready to go.

timg11
Posts: 19
Joined: Sun Feb 14, 2021 10:51 pm

Re: Recommended downloader/debugger for MicroPython on ESP32

Post by timg11 » Tue May 04, 2021 9:52 pm

Thonny does have the ability to detect a source file was changed by an external editor. That's a big improvement.
But it seems to be missing the syntax checker.
Since I'm relatively new to Python, that is helpful to have. The MicroPython errors are much more terse than a full Python implementation. I see a plug-in facility. Is there a syntax checker plug-in for Thonny?

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