Hello everyone, today we are going to introduce an embedded Python open source project for microcontrollers - PikaPython.
First: the development trend of embedded Python
In the development trend of software and hardware in the embedded field, the cost of hardware is decreasing and the performance is gradually improving. This trend has greatly reduced the difficulty of running Python on chips.
Low-cost and high-performance Bluetooth chips and Wi-Fi chips have undoubtedly accelerated this process. With the improvement of hardware technology, the application of Python in the embedded field will become more extensive.
Especially when dealing with complex network applications, traditional C language programming will encounter various difficulties. For example, requirements such as parsing JSON data and handling dynamic features pose great challenges to the C language, which can easily lead to problems such as memory leaks. Faced with this situation, the advantages of Python emerge, it can handle complex requirements more efficiently.
Second: Introduction to PikaPython
In the exploration and development of Python language solutions in the embedded field, the founding team of PikaPython has made outstanding contributions.
They completely re-implemented the core Python interpreter, making PikaPython leapfrogly lightweight and flexible compared to MicroPython. The memory usage is greatly reduced by 80%, and it is free from the constraints of GCC, and supports almost all development environments such as Keil and IAR.
This improvement greatly improves the application performance and operability of Python in the embedded field, giving developers more possibilities and choices.
It is worth mentioning that PikaPython has also been recognized and supported by developers in the open source community.
On GitHub, PikaPython has obtained 1.1K stars, showing its strong appeal and influence.
At the same time, in Gitee's programming language division, PikaPython ranks second, indicating its popularity in China.
In addition, in order to ensure the stability and reliability of PikaPython, the team wrote nearly 20,000 lines of test code, and PikaPython has been applied in mass production projects.
These practical applications and tests further prove the excellent performance and wide adaptability of PikaPython.
Whether it is from the improvement of indicators or the recognition of the open source community, PikaPython has shown strong competitiveness in the embedded field.
Third: Integration and modularization in the embedded field
The founding team of PikaPython observed that the development of the embedded field actually needs to go through the development process of the standard PC.
From the initial software operating system design for the PC platform to the integration of fragmented ecosystems, the embedded field also needs to go through this process.
Previously, embedded software was very fragmented, and each manufacturer had its own solution. However, with the development of hardware, the embedded field will gradually develop in the direction of modularization and sophistication.
The founding team of PikaPython is looking forward to achieving more unification and standardization, so that everyone can use a unified API to achieve generalization and standardization.
Fourth: The value of open platforms and communities
The founding team of PikaPython is committed to eliminating the differences between platforms and realizing the ideal situation of writing a piece of code and then easily running it on a new chip . In this way, when there is new hardware development, developers can enjoy this benefit in time and obtain better cost performance and performance . They firmly believe that the Python language layer can help everyone smooth out the differences so that they can run on new hardware.
The founding team of PikaPython firmly believes that the development of the embedded field should adopt a more community-based model . They clearly realize that although the existence of first-mover advantages (such as MicroPython) makes it quite difficult to catch up, it does not mean that Python applications in the embedded field can only rely on MicroPython.
They pointed out that although MicroPython is a pioneer of embedded Python, it has not made enough efforts to integrate the fragmented ecosystem and lower the threshold of transplantation.
In fact, many customers can either use MicroPython or choose PikaPython. But they still chose PikaPython. The reason why they may choose PikaPython is that PikaPython provides users with better support, and it has made outstanding contributions in integrating fragmented ecology and reducing the difficulty of transplantation.
Chinese hardware manufacturers such as Qinheng and Boliu, as well as other Wi-Fi and Bluetooth manufacturers are extremely interested in this. The richness of domestic hardware resources gives PikaPython the opportunity to take an advantage in this field, which undoubtedly brings great opportunities to the entire embedded field.
The goal of the founding team of PikaPython is to complete an integrated development platform within the window period of embedded software fragmentation integration, and provide more revenue opportunities for everyone.
They hope that through PikaPython, everyone can get additional benefits. They provide open source solutions, training, and technical support to help everyone get real benefits, not just a simple software package. They believe that only in this way can they help everyone create profits and achieve their goals.
Fifth: Product Features of PikaPython
Modular
PikaPython focuses on modularity in design, and hopes to use Python as a module for development, and C language as the underlying module. Their goal is to build a unified package manager that gives developers the flexibility to choose the version of each module.
standardization
At the same time, they also attach importance to standardization, and hope that through consistent API standards, all hardware can have a unified form and interface. They unify the shape and interface of hardware by implementing a high-level API layer in C language.
flexibility
PikaPython has low resource usage and is easy to transplant. For projects with few functional requirements, PikaPython provides a lightweight solution. They developed a read-only file system similar to romfs, allowing Python to run without a file system.
Expansibility
PikaPython has good scalability, which provides convenience for users who need to bind their own C language modules. Users can write declarations in PikaPython, write implementations in C language, and achieve very simple extensions through the mechanism of automatically connecting declarations and implementations.
Small but powerful, PikaPython is committed to providing a flexible, lightweight, and easily scalable solution for the embedded field, which will have a profound impact on the development of the embedded field.
Seventh: Get PikaPython
pikapython official website (copy to browser to open):
https://pikapython.com
The address of the github warehouse is (copy to the browser to open):
https://gitee.com/lyon1998/pikapython
The address of the gitee warehouse is (copied to the browser to open):
https://gitee.com/lyon1998/pikapython