This guide and most of OSOYOO’s content around the micro:bit will use MakeCode by Microsoft for programming.
MakeCode is an open programming environment built by Microsoft for the micro:bit, as well as other boards. You can navigate to MakeCode for the micro:bit by following this link:
Once you have launched MakeCode, you will be greeted by its basic layout with a simulator on the left and a block-based environment on the right when your browser’s window is maximized, as shown here.
Click on the image above for a larger view.
Let’s take a quick tour and check out what is available to us!
Phew! Now you have a choice – blocks or text-based programming?
For this guide and the majority of the content that you will find on OSOYOO website for the micro:bit, we will be using block-based programming examples.
But, if you so choose there is a JavaScript option to use as well. The choice is yours, and the good news is that you can switch back and forth from one to the other in the same program; one will populate the other, which is really nice if you are new to programming!
MakeCode includes a simulator for the micro:bit, meaning if you don’t have your micro:bit in hand you can still write code for it. Or if you want to try out an idea before you upload it to your micro:bit, you can do that too!
The simulator will update as you build your code, and if you want to run it from the beginning you can click the stop and run buttons to start it over again!
Speaking of code, let’s write a quick program and get it onto your micro:bit!
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