UPDATED: Installing & Using PyCharm with CircuitPython (CircuitPython School)

Updated (Aug. '24) to point out that some users may need to restart before circup becomes available, and also that you should "eject" before unplugging your board to avoid wiping it out by accident if the board is being written to while unplugged.
This lesson covers key basics for any CircuitPython beginner. We'll describe libraries, show where we can find example code, and take you through installation of the vital tool CircUp, which is used for installing and managing libraries. You're really at a disadvantage and your work is likely to take more time and be more error prone if you're not using CircUp.
This lesson is part of Prof. John Gallaugher's Physical Computing university course. You can find the entire playlist at:
bit.ly/circuit...

[@manouchehrmail]

Thank you so much for your great tutorials. It seems to happen the "Keyboard" in usb_hid class is for sending out the characters only. The "pressed_keys" attribute does not exist anymore. It would be highly appreciate it if you would make a tutorial about how to get pressed keys from a usual USB keyboard connected to RPI in Circuitpython. Thanks a lot in advance.

[@profgallaugher]

So glad you enjoy the channel. Not sure when I'll get to this, but a GREAT way to get immediate help is via Adafruit's discord. The folks who work on CircuitPython frequent the channels & often provide help within minutes. If you're missing something key from a changed library, let them know. My guess is they have a work around for you. adafru.it/discord

[@manouchehrmail]

@@profgallaugher

[@profgallaugher]

WINDOWS USERS: One of my teaching assistants just put together this document that offers additional information / update relevant to the Windows installation of PyCharm & Tio. You can find it here: docs.google.com/document/d/150cP6G12BmCflJ3MAQv88ktUu2Vd4fuq29HpeHp25QY/edit?usp=sharing In particular, it looks like this is the command to find out which USB devices are connected to your USB port: ls /dev/ttyS*

[@manouchehrmail]

Thank you so much. After asking this question in discord chat, it turns out CircuitPython is not capable of doing this. Thank you so much anyway,

[@TomLeg]

After you install tio, you need to add it to your path. I entered PATH into the search bar under the Start menu, and opened up "Edit the system environment variables" section of the control panel; then click Environment Variables at the bottom right, and select PATH and click Edit. Click New and add C:\msys64\usr\bin to the PATH. Also, in the Start menu search bar, search for Device Manager. In the new window, scroll down to Ports (COM & LPY) and click on ">". You should see a USB Serial Device (COM NN). Mine is com13. In the PyCharm terminal window, type "tio com13". The only problem is that it doesn't generate output when I save the file. I have to click on the terminal and press Ctrl-D. Each Ctrl-D causes a "soft reboot" and the program runs.