Python development in UIFlow

sternj

The current UIFlow IDE doesn't actually have any way of saving code written in the "custom edit" mode. This is especially problematic given that the uiflow2 plugin for VSCode, the only other fully-featured IDE with support for for M5Stack mpy, seems to have been abandoned around a year ago.

kuriko

@sternj
Yes... this feature doesn't seem to be very necessary, custom edit is supposed to be used for some kind of debugging.

sternj

@kuriko I disagree, the feature is incredibly necessary. I like UIFlow a lot as a framework and I quite like the Python API, but the block programming system is unwieldy for folks who know Python and want to write more expressive programs.

(I'm also not a fan of the codegen done by any visual programming engine, but that gripe is more stylistic than substantive)

I am reasonable at C++ but I really prefer doing prototyping in Python and I like the drag-and-drop UI of the UIFlow2 IDE. I've just been saving it in a text buffer.

teastain

@sternj Hi!
You sound like you are too advanced for drag and drop.
I think you should stick to micropython for its range and flexibility.
Cheers.

sternj

@teastain That's what I'm trying to do! I find the UIFlow2 IDE really convenient for its toolchain integration and would like to be able to use micropython directly in it with first-class support.

teastain

@sternj Well, the Arduino IDE ver2 IDE is very good.
Just type in C, C++ and download (it compiles automatically.)
This is NOT your grandad's Arduino IDE ver 1 !!!
Here is a sample program to test serial:

bool ticktock;  //declare ticktock as a boolean flag

void setup() {           //runs once on start up
  Serial.begin(115200);  //open the serial port for USB cable
  delay(500);
}

void loop() {            //runs in circles!
  ticktock = !ticktock;  //every pass through reverse the flag
  if (ticktock) {        //test current value of the ticktock flag
    Serial.println("tick");
  } else {  //prints one or the other to the USB port
    Serial.println("tock");
  }
  delay(1000);  //wait for a second and run again!
}