Episode 5: Exploring CircuitPython

The Real Python Podcast

Apr 17, 2020 1h 3m

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Have you ever wanted to explore using Python with electronics? CircuitPython is a great platform to get started with. This week we have Thea Flowers on the show. Thea has been creating several hardware projects based around CircuitPython, and she talks about getting started on the platform.

She also answers questions about how she taught herself to design and prototype printed circuit boards. Thea discusses several of her open source projects, including Nox, ConductHotline, and getting involved with CircuitPython.

Thea was the conference co-chair for PyCascades, and we talk about how someone could get involved in volunteering for conferences. We also discuss building diversity in the community.

This episode was initially recorded at an earlier date, so we asked Thea to come back for a few minutes to discuss updates on her projects and about a recent honor she received.

Topics:

00:00:00 – Introduction
00:01:25 – Thea’s programming background
00:02:45 – Working with Google Cloud Platform
00:04:10 – Flutter developer relations
00:04:52 – Learning Python
00:06:07 – Working on open source projects
00:06:33 – Nox - Automated Python testing
00:07:03 – ConductHotline
00:07:38 – Contributing to CircuitPython
00:07:53 – More background on Nox and Tox
00:10:03 – Getting involved with CircuitPython
00:12:38 – MicroPython and CircuitPython
00:14:20 – Suggestions for starter board or kit
00:15:49 – What are you excited about in CircuitPython?
00:16:31 – Nina Zakharenko CircuitPython project
00:17:47 – Things you’d like to see improved in CircuitPython?
00:21:30 – Working toward consensus in open source projects?
00:25:41 – Winterbloom - Big Honking Button
00:30:25 – Creating circuit boards
00:34:32 – Winterbloom - Sol
00:38:49 – Code editor for CircuitPython
00:40:08 – Something you thought you knew about Python, but were wrong about?
00:42:14 – What are you excited about in the world of Python?
00:44:21 – Do you listen to music when coding?
00:45:29 – Being an organizer for PyCascades
00:46:53 – Getting involved and volunteering for events
00:48:16 – Ways to increase diversity
00:53:51 – Extended episode conversation
00:54:25 – Updates on the WInterbloom projects
00:55:24 – 2020 Q1 PSF Fellow Member!
00:56:32 – PyCon 2020 moves to online only
00:58:45 – How would you learn Python if starting from scratch?
01:02:10 – Thanks and ending

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Level Up Your Python Skills With These Courses:

Threading in Python

Arduino With Python: How to Get Started

Test-Driven Development With pytest

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