ciruit python or makecode for Trinket Micro??? Moderators: adafruit_support_bill, adafruit

[TryggrMann]

I am completely dumbfounded by arduino coding... trying to learn it, but having a pretty hard time... any chance there is something like circuit python or makecode that exists for smaller projects?? I have an adafruit trinket mini 5v and trying to make some simple if/then and button press stuff work on it. nothing specific at this point, just playing with lights and things with my kids. Is there something that works with this limited board?

Please and thank you in advance :)

[franklin97355]

You need an "express" board like the Feather M0 express or the Itsy Bitsy M0 express to use Circuit Python or MakeCode.

[kcl1s]

Yes as Franklin says you will have to change boards to program with another language. If you are struggling with Arduino you may find the Circuit Python a little better but there is still a rather steep learning curve if you don't already know the language. MakeCode on the other hand is very beginner friendly. I teach it to students as young as 10 as a volunteer at our local library.

Here is a list of the Adafruit boards that can use MakeCode.

Circuit Playground Express - $25 https://www.adafruit.com/product/3333 Uses regular MakeCode https://makecode.adafruit.com/
This is the Adafruit flagship board for education. It has a lot of sensors, lights and sound already on the board as well as 8 Alligator clip friendly input/output pins that can also be used as 'touch' inputs. No soldering required. Supports Circuit Python and Arduino programming as well.

All boards below use Maker MakeCode https://maker.makecode.com/

Metro M0 Express - $25 https://www.adafruit.com/product/3505
This is an Arduino Uno sized board with 25 input/output pins 7 of which can be analog inputs. No soldering required. Supports Circuit Python and Arduino programming as well.

Feather M0 Express - $20 https://www.adafruit.com/product/3403
This is a smaller breadboard friendly board with onboard charging for an optional LiPo battery for portable projects. It has 20 input/output pins 6 of which can be analog inputs. You will have to solder on the header pins. Supports Circuit Python and Arduino programming as well.

ItsyBitsy M0 Express - $12 https://www.adafruit.com/product/3727
This is a small breadboard friendly board similar to the Feather but has no charging capability. It has 23 input/output pins 11 of which can be analog inputs. It also has one 5 volt output signal pin that works great for Neopixels. You will have to solder on the header pins. Supports Circuit Python and Arduino programming as well.

Trinket M0 - $9 https://www.adafruit.com/product/3500
This mini sized board is great for small projects where space is at a premium. It has 5 input/output pins 3 of which can be analog inputs. You will have to solder on the header pins. Supports Circuit Python and Arduino programming as well.

Gemma M0 - $10 https://www.adafruit.com/product/3501
This mini board is designed for wearable projects. The big pin pads can be used with conductive thread or alligator clips. It has only 3 input/output pins all 3 can be analog inputs as well. No soldering required. Supports Circuit Python and Arduino programming as well.

Hope this helps.

Fellow hobbyist
Keith

[TryggrMann]

Thank you, kcl1s & Franklin - very helpful links! My kids are well under 10 years old, but already showing a huge interest in this stuff, so I'm trying to get ahead of the learning curve. Don't want to be like my folks and be left behind the technology train, so to speak. I purchased a ton of stuff from Adafruit a while back, i'll dig through the box and see if i have any of the boards you listed - if not, then I have an excuse to get more goodies hehe!

As for the arduino language for the trinket I DO have, I found a few things online, but they looked spooky and wasn't sure if it was just a virus in disguise... Do you know if there is something available out there to help visualize arduino? Something that "looks" like the clicky-code stuff of circuit python, but still uses the arduino language?

If not, I'll just buckle down and learn all the dang languages lol - learning curve or not, it's all fun in the end!

[kcl1s]

Something that "looks" like the clicky-code stuff of circuit python

Just to be clear Circuit Python is a text based language like Arduino. Some may find it a little easier to learn but you still are typing code and need to have correct syntax. MakeCode is the block language.

Do you know if there is something available out there to help visualize arduino

There are some out there but I do not know if any work with the original Trinket. The Trinket has a different micro controller chip than Arduino Uno so may not be supported.

While the original Trinket is a great little board, in my opinion it is not a good board to learn Arduino on. You may want to put it on a shelf until you climb the curve a little. For pure code learning I would suggest the Circuit Playground Express. If you want to have fun wiring up circuits on a breadboard the ItsyBitsy M0 Express gives a lot bang for your buck. If you are ordering pick up some Neopixels. Learn about them here https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-neopixel-uberguide My students love them.

Keith

[TryggrMann]

Kieth, thanks - much appreciated! It's funny how much, yet how little I know about this stuff. I've been soldering random projects for decades, built simple microphones/speakers from scratch, and fixed/tinkered with tons of other stuff... but it was all hardware-based, so code is new to me. Thankfully, folks like yourself and others in this community are so amazingly helpful - I actually spent the whole day reorganizing my home office space and set up my solder station again :) looking forward to playing with the other boards, just need to find/get them now!

I finally saved up enough and got my kids a Lego Mindstorms kit, and want to show them how to make the same stuff with other hardware/software as well. They're pretty young still, so the attention span wavers QUICK - this kit sped things up a bit for them, while still showing the power of coding. Alright, back to organizing so we can build stuff for Christmas!

Thanks again, can't tell you how much your help is appreciated, thank you thank you!

[Flexdirection]

MakeCode on the other hand is very beginner friendly.