{"id":37718,"date":"2020-10-28T14:36:23","date_gmt":"2020-10-28T06:36:23","guid":{"rendered":"\/blog\/?p=37718"},"modified":"2021-06-10T14:54:44","modified_gmt":"2021-06-10T06:54:44","slug":"circuitpython-vs-ardupy-which-is-better-for-micropython-microcontroller-programming-m","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.seeedstudio.com\/blog\/2020\/10\/28\/circuitpython-vs-ardupy-which-is-better-for-micropython-microcontroller-programming-m\/","title":{"rendered":"ArduPy vs CircuitPython \u2013 Which is Better for MicroPython Microcontroller Programming?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Background <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you wanted to get started with programming for microcontrollers in order to build exciting projects, your first choice would be to use an Arduino board. When you use Arduino boards for programming, you mainly have to write your codes in C++ language. Arduino is a great platform, but however, C++ is not the best beginner-friendly programming language that is available out there. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Python for Beginners<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you have ever heard of Python<\/a> programming language, it is a much more beginner-friendly programming language because it is a much high-level programming language than C++, meaning the syntax of Python is easy to read and understand. Python is considered as one of the best programming languages to begin with, for learners and it allows you to write fewer codes compared with C++, to execute the same operation. Also, Python has an extensive set of library modules that allows it to be implemented efficiently. This allows Python to easily be used in different fields such as Artificial Intelligence, Software Development, and Web Development. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

MicroPython \u2013 Python for Microcontrollers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you already love using Python for programming and want to get started with microcontroller programming as well, you don\u2019t have to rely on C++ programming anymore. That is because of the introduction of MicroPython<\/a>. MicroPython can be considered as a stripped-down version of CPython (main Python) that we already know and love, with added support for hardware functionality. This can be considered as a subset of the CPython. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Now let\u2019s look at two different variants of MicroPython, which are CircuitPython and ArduPy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is CircuitPython?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

CircuitPython<\/a> is a flavor of MicroPython, developed by Adafruit which is designed to simplify experimenting and learning to program on low-cost microcontroller boards. It makes getting started easier than ever with no upfront desktop downloads needed. Once you get your board set up, open any text editor, and get started editing code.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

What is ArduPy?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

ArduPy<\/a> is a platform which is a combination of Arduino and MicroPython and is developed by Seeed Studio. It was initially released MicroPython uses the universal Arduino API to control the hardware so that it can be quickly compatible with new platforms. By utilizing ArduPy, you can use Python to verify ideas quickly, learn python programming, and learn about Open-Source hardware.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A Microcontroller which has both CircuitPython and ArduPy support<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We have released the Wio Terminal<\/a> which is perfectly compatible to use with both CircuitPython or ArduPy. Wio Terminal is an ATSAMD51-based microcontroller with wireless connectivity supported by Realtek RTL8720DN and is equipped with a 2.4\u201d LCD Screen, onboard accelerometer (LIS3DHTR), Microphone, Buzzer, micro-SD card slot, Light sensor, and Infrared Emitter(IR 940nm).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Easy initialization of CircuitPython and ArduPy <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You can easily flash the default bootloader of CircuitPython or ArduPy into the Wio Terminal by dragging the .uf2 file into the drive created once you enter the bootloader mode of Wio Terminal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n