Makes text-based programming simple for students aged 11-14
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The new programming tool from the Micro:bit Educational Foundation
The new micro:bit Python Editor is designed to help students who are learning to code using a text-based language. It's full of tools to help you spend more time teaching, from modelling programming tasks to testing and developing code.
The editor is available in Chinese, English, French, Japanese, Korean and Spanish.
High school students learning with the BBC micro:bit
Take your teaching further
The new micro:bit Python Editor is designed to help you deliver your programming fundamentals lessons with the benefits of the micro:bit.
Physical computing with the BBC micro:bit brings technology to life in your students' hands. It takes programming beyond the screen.
The micro:bit is proven to engage students with coding and motivate them to learn more about computer science. The purpose of this new editor is to reduce barriers to learning text-based languages and help you to teach.
The new editor's simulator allows you to model coding tasks to your students using a virtual micro:bit. Students can also use this to test, debug and iterate their program designs before putting their code on a real micro:bit.
Using the simulator to test code responds to changes in temperature
Learn and discover programming concepts
The Reference section allows your students to learn programming concepts through short explanations and code snippets they can drag and drop straight into their projects. They can build their understanding by modifying code snippets to fit their own project ideas.
Features
Click on the headings to explore features of the new micro:bit Python Editor designed to give students quicker success with text-based programming:
Drag and drop code examples
Easily discover examples to drag and drop into code.
Code structure & error highlighting
Intuitively learn correct structure and resolve errors.
Auto-complete
Discover features, correct syntax, and speed up typing with auto-complete suggestions.
Simulator
Including simulating buttons, gestures, light levels, temperature, compass, sound, radio, serial pins and data logging.
Quick ideas to get started
The Ideas tab has complete working micro:bit projects you can show to your students. Each project has suggestions for customising and improving the code, so you can use these as starting points for coding lessons.
As well as the Ideas in the editor, there are dozens more quick projects on the micro:bit website available to code in Python. Here are three good ones to try first:
Can I use the Python Editor with both micro:bit V1 and V2?
The micro:bit Python Editor works with both the micro:bit V1 and the V2 with built-in speaker. The simulator shows a micro:bit V2, so if you are using a micro:bit V1 do be aware that some code may work on the simulator but not on your physical micro:bit. Code that will only work on a micro:bit V2 is labelled 'V2' in the Reference section.
Can I use the micro:bit Python Editor offline?
You need an internet connection and a web browser to load the editor. Once loaded it will continue to work, even if your internet connection becomes unstable.
How do I save projects to return to edit later?
Students can save their code to their local computer using the 'Save' button. This will save a HEX file to their downloads folder but they can then move it wherever they wish (e.g. to their school cloud storage). Just use the 'Open' button to return to the project later. Code can also be saved/opened as Python text files if preferred.
Can I use the new Python Editor with micro:bit classroom?
Yes, the new Python Editor is available within micro:bit classroom, the free tool for managing live coding lessons and saving a whole class's code at the push of a button.
Can I use accessories within the new Python Editor?
Yes, if the accessory manufacturer has provided a Python module as a .py file you can open this as a new file in the Projects section (be sure to use the cog on the right to open it as a new file rather than to replace your main file). You can then import the functions from the module into your main code.
Yes, you can still access the old micro:bit Python Editor at https://python.microbit.org/v/2. It will be continue to be available at least until September 2023.
