MicroPython is a great way for beginners to get a feel for PicoSystem.
Play with audio beeps and boops via the REPL, and get a simple game running with minimal boilerplate.
Go to the GitHub releases page to find the latest release of PicoSystem MicroPython.
Once you've got the MicroPython uf2 installed, hold down A whilst powering on your PicoSystem for some fun demos to play with!
Every PicoSystem MicroPython application must have the following basic form:
def update(tick):
pass
def draw(tick):
pass
start()
The update() function is where your game logic goes. draw() is responsible for drawing your game world to the screen. Call start() to signal to PicoSystem that it should start cranking the game engine.
In your update() function you can optionally call quit() to break out of the game loop.
If you're just exploring on the REPL then call flip() to display your changes and update input. For example:
>>> pen(0, 0, 0)
>>> clear()
>>> pen(15, 15, 15)
>>> text("Hello World")
>>> flip()
If you want to build our MicroPython image from source then the following should get you there:
git clone https://github.com/pimoroni/micropython -b board/rp2/pimoroni_picosystem
cd micropython
git submodule update --init
cd lib/pico-sdk
git submodule update --init
cd ../../micropython/mpy_cross
make
cd ../ports/rp2
cp ../../../picosystem/micropython/modules_py/boot.py modules/
make USER_C_MODULES=../../../picosystem/micropython/modules/micropython.cmake BOARD=PIMORONI_PICOSYSTEM
cp build-PIMORONI_PICOSYSTEM/firmware.uf2 /path/to/RPI-RP2/