Micro:bit

Lesson 1

Getting Started

Click on 'Let's Code'

Under Python click 'Try the beta editor with radio'

Your First Micro:bit Program

Use these simple commands to make your first program:

# Show a scrolling message
display.scroll("Hello!")

# Show a picture
# -> Each line must be 5 characters long (because 5 LEDs)
# -> 0 is off, 9 is completely on. You can have any number inbetween
myImage = Image("00000:"
                "09090:"
                "00000:"
                "90009:"
                "09990:")

display.show(myImage)

# Buttons
if button_a.is_pressed():
    # do something here
elif button_b.is_pressed():
    # do something else here
else:
    # do another thing here

Uploading the Program

Go to your Downloads folder then drag the microbit.hex file onto the MICROBIT drive.

Dice

Now try and make a dice. Make it so that when you shake the micro:bit it will show a number from 1 to 6.

while True:
    gesture = accelerometer.current_gesture()
    if gesture == "shake":
        # do something here

Hint: Majority of the built in Python modules work on the micro:bit

import radio

# Radio won't work unless we turn it on
radio.on()

# Send a message
radio.send("message_contents")

# (this preferably in a forever loop):
# get a message (if any)
incoming = radio.receive()

# There is 100 channels which micro:bits can
# communicate on. If you are not doing the same
# thing as someone else you may change channels
# using the following: (at the top of your program)
radio.config(channel=7)