circuitpython/README.md

# Adafruit CircuitPython

[![Build Status](https://travis-ci.org/adafruit/circuitpython.svg?branch=master)](https://travis-ci.org/adafruit/circuitpython) [![Doc Status](https://readthedocs.org/projects/circuitpython/badge/?version=latest)](http://circuitpython.readthedocs.io/) [![Gitter](https://badges.gitter.im/adafruit/circuitpython.svg)](https://gitter.im/adafruit/circuitpython?utm_source=badge&utm_medium=badge&utm_campaign=pr-badge)

This is an open source derivative of [MicroPython](http://www.micropython.org)
for use on educational development boards designed and sold by [Adafruit](https://www.adafruit.com)
including the [Arduino Zero](https://www.arduino.cc/en/Main/ArduinoBoardZero), [Adafruit Feather M0 Basic](https://www.adafruit.com/products/2772), [Adafruit Feather HUZZAH](https://www.adafruit.com/products/2821) and
[Adafruit Feather M0 Bluefruit LE](https://www.adafruit.com/products/2995).

As a MicroPython derivative, this implements Python 3.x on microcontrollers such
as the SAMD21 and ESP8266.

## Project Status
This project is in beta. Most APIs should be stable going forward.

## Documentation

Guides and videos are available through the [Adafruit Learning System](https://learn.adafruit.com/) under the [CircuitPython category](https://learn.adafruit.com/category/circuitpython) and [MicroPython category](https://learn.adafruit.com/category/micropython). An API reference is also available on [Read the Docs](http://circuitpython.readthedocs.io/en/latest/?).

## Contributing
See [CONTRIBUTING.md](https://github.com/adafruit/circuitpython/blob/master/CONTRIBUTING.md)
for full guidelines but please be aware that by contributing to this project you
are agreeing to the
[Code of Conduct](https://github.com/adafruit/circuitpython/blob/master/CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md).
Contributors who follow the
[Code of Conduct](https://github.com/adafruit/circuitpython/blob/master/CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md)
are welcome to submit pull requests and they will be promptly reviewed by
project admins. Please join the [Gitter chat](https://gitter.im/adafruit/circuitpython) too.

## Differences from [MicroPython](https://github.com/micropython/micropython)

* Port for Atmel SAMD21 (Commonly known as M0 in product names.)
* No `machine` API on Atmel SAMD21 port.
* Only supports Atmel SAMD21 and ESP8266 ports.
* Unified hardware API: [`nativeio`](https://circuitpython.readthedocs.io/en/latest/shared-bindings/nativeio/__init__.html), [`microcontroller`](https://circuitpython.readthedocs.io/en/latest/shared-bindings/microcontroller/__init__.html), [`board`](https://circuitpython.readthedocs.io/en/latest/shared-bindings/board/__init__.html), [`bitbangio`](https://circuitpython.readthedocs.io/en/latest/shared-bindings/bitbangio/__init__.html) (Only available on atmel-samd21 and ESP8266 currently.)
* Tracks MicroPython's releases (not master).
* No module aliasing. (`uos` and `utime` are not available as `os` and `time` respectively.)
* Modules with a CPython counterpart, such as `time`, are strict [subsets](https://circuitpython.readthedocs.io/en/latest/shared-bindings/time/__init__.html) of their [CPython version](https://docs.python.org/3.4/library/time.html?highlight=time#module-time). Therefore, code from CircuitPython is runnable on CPython but not necessarily the reverse.
* tick count is available as [`time.monotonic()`](https://circuitpython.readthedocs.io/en/latest/shared-bindings/time/__init__.html#time.monotonic)
* `os` only available as `uos`
* atmel-samd21 features
    * RGB status LED
    * Auto-reset after file write over mass storage. (Disable with `samd.disable_autoreset()`)
    * Wait state after boot and main run, before REPL.
    * Main is one of these: code.txt, code.py, main.py, main.txt
    * Boot is one of these: settings.txt, settings.py, boot.py, boot.txt

## Project Structure
Here is an overview of the top-level directories.

### Core
The core code of MicroPython is shared amongst ports including CircuitPython:
- `docs` High level user documentation in Sphinx reStructuredText format.
- `drivers` External device drivers written in Python.
- `examples` A few example Python scripts.
- `extmod` Shared C code used in multiple ports' modules.
- `lib` Shared core C code including externally developed libraries such as FATFS.
- `logo` The MicroPython logo.
- `mpy-cross` A cross compiler that converts Python files to byte code prior to being run in MicroPython. Useful for reducing library size.
- `py` Core Python implementation, including compiler, runtime, and
  core library.
- `shared-bindings` Shared definition of Python modules, their docs and backing C APIs. Ports must implement the C API to support the corresponding module.
- `tests` Test framework and test scripts.
- `tools` Various tools, including the pyboard.py module.

### Ports
Ports include the code unique to a microcontroller line and also variations
based on the board.
- `atmel-samd` Support for SAMD21 based boards such as [Arduino Zero](https://www.arduino.cc/en/Main/ArduinoBoardZero), [Adafruit Feather M0 Basic](https://www.adafruit.com/products/2772),  and
[Adafruit Feather M0 Bluefruit LE](https://www.adafruit.com/products/2995).
- `bare-arm` A bare minimum version of MicroPython for ARM MCUs.
- `cc3200` Support for boards based [CC3200](http://www.ti.com/product/CC3200) from TI such as the [WiPy 1.0](https://www.pycom.io/solutions/py-boards/wipy1/).
- `esp8266` Support for boards based on ESP8266 WiFi modules such as the [Adafruit Feather HUZZAH](https://www.adafruit.com/products/2821).
- `minimal` A minimal MicroPython port. Start with this if you want
  to port MicroPython to another microcontroller.
- `pic16bit` Support for 16-bit PIC microcontrollers.
- `qemu-arm` Support for ARM emulation through [QEMU](https://qemu.org).
- `stmhal` Support for boards based on STM32 microcontrollers including the MicroPython flagship [PyBoard](https://store.micropython.org/store/#/products/PYBv1_1).
- `teensy` Support for the Teensy line of boards such as the [Teensy 3.1](https://www.pjrc.com/teensy/teensy31.html).
- `unix` Support for UNIX.
- `windows` Support for [Windows](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/).
- `zephyr` Support for [Zephyr](https://www.zephyrproject.org/), a real-time operating system by the Linux Foundation.

CircuitPython only maintains the `atmel-samd` and `esp8266` ports. The rest are here to maintain compatibility with the [MicroPython](https://github.com/micropython/micropython) parent project.