Merge pull request #891 from arduino/sync/karlsoderby/micropython-content

MicroPython content

Author: karlsoderby

content/micropython/01.basics/01.overview/hero-banner.png

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+---
+title: Overview
+description: An introduction to Arduino and MicroPython
+author: Francesca Sanfilippo
+micropython_type: basics
+---
+
+MicroPython is an implementation of the Python programming language, and includes some of the standard Python libraries. It is designed to run on microcontrollers with constrained environments.
+ 
+In this sequence of guides, you will among other things, learn how to:
+- Install MicroPython on your Arduino board,
+- Install an editor with support for MicroPython,
+- How to make basic scripts that can for example blink an LED, read an analog pin and print things to the terminal (REPL).
+
+You do not need any prior knowledge in either programming with Arduino or MicroPython, but it is recommended to know the basics of Python.
+
+What you need to do it is have a Compatible Board and a Code Editor. You can choose between two alternatives:
+- **Arduino Lab for MicroPython:** an experimental editor from Arduino, designed for simpler projects.
+- **OpenMV:** an editor for  more complex projects, such as computer vision.
+
+## Python vs C/C++.
+
+If you are experienced with Arduino programming in C and C++ a lot of the presented topics will look familiar to you.
+There's a big difference between how we program an Arduino board with the Arduino IDE, using the Arduino programming language (based on C++), and how we program it using MicroPython. 
+- The “Arduino way” requires compiling the sketch before uploading it to your board. The previous code running is replaced by the new one.
+- The “MicroPython way” does not require compiling, as you will have MicroPython installed on the actual board. Code is instead run through an interpreter, line by line.
+
+## Python vs MicroPython
+
+MicroPython was created to work under constrained conditions, like a small environment. The main difference between Python and MicroPython is that MicroPython does not have the full standard Python language, it is only a subset of it.