Snek: A Python-Inspired Language for Tiny Embedded Computers

Keith Packard

https://2019.northbaypython.org/schedule/presentation/3/

Tiny embedded computers, like the original Arduino, are great for
automating simple tasks. What they are not great at is providing an
easy-to-learn environment for new programmers.

As a part of a middle school robotics course based on Lego, I've
developed a new language, Snek, which runs on these machines. Snek can
run in as little as 32kB of ROM and 2kB of RAM. It provides a simpler,
safer, easier to explore environment than C++. Snek is a subset of the
Python language and comes with a host-based IDE written in Python that
runs on Linux, Mac OS X and Windows.

This presentation will describe the Snek language along with a few of
the interesting implementation details including:

* A new parser generator, lola, that generates
a parser 1/10 the size of bison

* An in-place compacting garbage collector

* A fine hack for representing values in 32 bits that includes 32-bit
floats

* Some challenges with Python syntax and
semantics which make it difficult to fit into a small
environment.

There will also be a demonstration of a few Snek-based Lego robots
along with a description of how Snek has been integrated into the
classroom environment. Comparisons with other embedded Python
implementations will also be provided, including Micro Python, Circuit
Python and full Python running on systems like the Raspberry PI.

Attendees will learn something about how interpreted Python
implementations operate, how Python can be used in embedded systems
and what teaching programming to middle school students (10-14 years
old) is like.

Snek is a subset of Python which runs on Arduino hardware. It has been
designed as part of a programming class for people ages 12-14 where
the students build robots using Lego and program them in multiple
languages. Learn how Python interpreters work, some unexpected
challenges in Python semantics and what its like to teach kids Python
while building Lego robots.

A Python conference north of the Golden Gate


North Bay Python is a single-track conference with a carefully curated set of talks representing the diverse Python community and their different areas of interest.

If a topic is less to your interest, or you've met some people you really want to sit down and chat with, we'll have plenty of areas away from the main theatre to catch up and chat.

Our goal is to keep prices as low as possible. That means we won't be catering lunch. Instead, you can look forward to extra-long lunch breaks you can use to explore all of the great food options around the venue.

Produced by NDV: https://youtube.com/channel/UCQ7dFBzZGlBvtU2hCecsBBg?sub_confirmation=1

Sun Nov 3 14:30:00 2019 at Mystic Theatre