Название: Programming the Pico: Learn Coding and Electronics with the Raspberry Pi Pico
Автор: Simon Monk
Издательство: MonkMakes Press
Год: 2023
Страниц: 233
Язык: английский
Формат: epub
Размер: 10.2 MB

This book will teach you Python programming and some basic electronics without assuming any prior knowledge of either subject. The book initially focusses on Python programming, building up a Morse Code example using the Raspberry Pi Pico's built-in LED. Once you have mastered the basics of coding the Pico, the book will introduce electronics, showing you how to use sensors, switches, LEDs, servomotors and displays attached to your Pico. All the parts used in the book are available in a companion kit by MonkMakes Ltd. available from suppliers world-wide.

The Raspberry Pi Pico (let’s just call it a Pico) is not a regular computer, but rather a microcontroller. That is, it is not intended for general purpose comput­ing but rather it is designed to help you make electronic projects—to, if you like, be the brain of such projects. For example, a Pico might be pressed into service to make a robot, controlling motors and a loudspeaker to make sounds, or it might be used to display temperature or other sensor readings on a small LCD screen.

While an Arduino is programmed in the lean and effi­cient programming language C++ (which you can also use on the Pico), the Pico’s dual-core ARM processor is capable of running the more memory-hun­gry Python language, that is the most popular programming language in the world and widely used by educators. Most people find it easier to get started programming with Python than they do C++, and the official implementation of Python recommended by the Raspberry Pi Foundation (MicroPython) is per­fectly fast enough for most projects.

This book teaches you Python at the same time as learning how to make use of the Pico. No prior programming or electronics knowledge is assumed or required to learn Python and get your Pico doing some pretty cool stuff. When it comes to exploring the hardware side of things, you are going to need a side-order of electronic bits and bobs to make the most of your Pico. Buying the parts you need can be tricky if you are new to electronics and so, in this book, we use the Monk Makes Breadboard Kit for Raspberry Pi Pico. This kit was designed specifically for this book and includes a good range of basic components to get you started.

If you prefer not to get too involved in the electronics, then you can just use the Pico as a vehicle for learning Python using the Pico’s built-in LED and a small length of wire will be enough to try out a whole range of projects.

All the code examples for this project are available for download from GitHub.

Discover how to:
install and use the Thonny Python editor and upload programs to your Pico
write simple programs to control the Raspberry Pi Pico
structure your programs with functions and modules
make effective use of Python Lists and Dictionaries
attach sensors, LEDs, servomotors and displays to your Pico and, to program them.
make use of the Pico's advanced input/output capabilities