🐍 Python cheatsheet

Just the basics to get coding using MicroPython on the BBC microbit python.microbit.org

PDF copy for print

Features

import microbit library

Import every class, function and variable

from microbit import *

Import only the display class

from microbit import display

Import the microbit library

import microbit

Buttons

Was a button pressed?

button_a.was_pressed()

Is a button currently pressed?

button_b.is_pressed()

Accelerometer

Gestures: up, down, left, right, face up, face down, freefall, 3g, 6g, 8g, shake

Was the micro:bit shaken?

accelerometer.was_gesture("shake")

Is the micro:bit currently falling?

accelerometer.is_gesture("freefall")

What is the value of the accellerometer x axis?

accelerometer.get_x()

 Compass

Run the compass calibration routine

compass.calibrate()

What is the compass heading from 0 - 360 degrees?

compass.heading()

What is the field strength on the y axis in nano teslas?

compass.get_y()

Music

Play happy birthday

music.play(music.BIRTHDAY)

Create an array called tune of "NOTE OCTAVE:DURATION" then play it.

tune = ["C4:4", "D4:4", "E4:4", "C4:4", "C4:4", "D4:4", "E4:4", "C4:4",
        "E4:4", "F4:4", "G4:8", "E4:4", "F4:4", "G4:8"]
music.play(tune)

Play a pitch (Frequency(Hz), Duration(ticks))

music.pitch(440, 6)

Set the tempo

music.set_tempo(ticks=4, bpm=120)

Radio

Import the radio module

import radio

Turn the radio on or off

radio.on()

Send a string via radio

radio.send('duck')

Return whatever radio message was received

radio.receive()

Input/Output pins

Is a pin currently being touched?

pin0.is_touched()

Return the current value on a pin

pin1.read_analog()

Write a value to a pin

pin2.write-digital(1)

LED Display (text, image)

Images: HEART, HEART_SMALL, HAPPY, SMILE, SAD,CONFUSED, ANGRY, ASLEEP, SURPRISED, SILLY, FABULOUS, MEH, YES, NO, CLOCK12, CLOCK11, CLOCK10, CLOCK9, CLOCK8, CLOCK7, CLOCK6, CLOCK5, CLOCK4, CLOCK3, CLOCK2, CLOCK1, ARROW_N, ARROW_NE, ARROW_E, ARROW_SE, ARROW_S, ARROW_SW, ARROW_W, ARROW_NW, TRIANGLE, TRIANGLE_LEFT, CHESSBOARD, DIAMOND, DIAMOND_SMALL, SQUARE, SQUARE_SMALL, RABBIT, COW, MUSIC_CROTCHET, MUSIC_QUAVER, MUSIC_QUAVERS, PITCHFORK, XMAS, PACMAN, TARGET, TSHIRT, ROLLERSKATE, DUCK, HOUSE, TORTOISE, BUTTERFLY, STICKFIGURE, GHOST, SWORD, GIRAFFE, SKULL, UMBRELLA, SNAKE

Scroll a string across the display

display.scroll('hello world')

Show an image on the display

display.show(Image.DUCK)

Return the light level from the display

display.read_light_level()

Temperature

What is the current temperature?

temperature()

Neopixels

Import the Neopixel module

import neopixel

Initialise a strip of Neopixels (pin, number of Neopixels)

neopixel.Neopixel(pin0, 10)

Send the current colour data to the Neopixels

neopixel.Neopixel.show()

Pause

Sleep for a number of milliseconds(ms)

sleep(500)

 

Coding concepts

Variables

Set the compass heading to a variable

direction = compass.heading()

Set the received radio message to a variable

incoming = radio.receive()

Loops

while True:
        display.show(Image.HEART)
        sleep(10)
        display.show(Image.HEART_SMALL)
        sleep(10)

Conditions

if accelerometer.was_gesture("shake"):
        display.scroll('shake')
        elif accelerometer.was_gesture("face down"):
        display.show(Image.HAPPY)
else:
        display.clear()

MicroPython Easter Eggs

import love()