Micro:Computer

Arcade Collaboration
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1

Okay, so, I had a great idea. What if I made a computer with a micro:bit?

So that’s what I’m doing!

So far, I have a list of components needed (e.g. Large LED panels, an IoT, etc.) and so far the expenses (not including the micro:bits; which I have 3 already, the GPIO board, and the i2c LCD) is about $250.

These are the components I already have:

  1. A keypad(for typing since it can’t handle a keyboard easily)
  2. An i2c LCD
  3. Two Micro:bit v1’s
  4. One Micro:bit v2 Go
  5. A GPIO extension board
  6. A regular Micro:bit extension board
  7. A bunch of wires (including jumper cables, and croc clips).

And these are the ones I am waiting on:

  1. Micro:bit IoT module
  2. 9 LED 16x16 matrix’s (for a total 48x48 LED screen)
  3. Some power stuff to keep the LEDs from shorting out and stuff
  4. Some more wires for the power (and I’m low on the jumper wires)
  5. Maybe some sort of tiny fan?(have not gotten that yet but thinking about it)

So pretty cool right?

The main reason I made this was to tell someone about this, but also I need some help with coding. I need someone to help me make some sort of text editor for the things I am going to do with this Micro:Computer.

PS: I am putting the v1’s in a cardboard box for fun, to simulate it being a desktop, and the v2 will be in another box where the screen will be(Somewhat like a monitor).

  • Want to help with coding
  • Want to help with ideas/concepts
  • Want to help with helping (getting other ppl to help)
  • Nice!
  • OMG Amazing idea!
  • That’s impossible
  • Eh
0 voters
2

Amazing idea!

3

Thanks!

Oh and I actually have two GPIO extension boards, and the IoT is just not coming, but I ordered the LEDs, and stuff for an SD card (three 28 gb micro SD’s with adapter+five adapter modules)

4

Okay, so what I need help with, is mainly making a text editor work in the computer, and then my plan is to implement a custom coding language to use within itself (in case you couldn’t tell, I want this thing to be almost completely independent), in a sort of console based code (like those really old computers). For the control, I have a keypad and a joystick.

5

You could attempt to base it off BASIC. Most home computers around the late 70’s to early 80’s featured varius forms of BASIC as it was simple, and easy to use instead of processor heavy operating systems.

6

Oh! And I mostly got this started with the help of Google AI, and I had a problem with the SD card modules. the ones I ordered were the wrong ones I needed. See, what I want with the SD cards is to be able to store information (mostly text), and for the Micro:bit to be able to read that information WITHOUT any help from a computer or tablet/phone. and the one I got only stores info and doesn’t read. But Google found a module that is specifically for that. it’s called SparkFun OpenLog, and it sounds perfect for my purposes.

PS: Soon I will provide a form for communication to collab on this and also for other things. When I put it in, anyone who wants to collab w me on this needs to fill it out and sumbit it. Thanks!

7

I am sort of doing that. I am making a simple coding language to use for coding. it has similar commands to JavaScript and python, basically combining all the commands that seemed what it should to me. Since I’m pretty much going to be the only one having the actual physical computer (and it wont show or work properly in the simulator), I figured that I would be better to make it for me. (also if someone attempts this project, they will probably be able to just tweak the interpreter to change the syntax and make their own language, so… *shrug*). But thanks for the input!

8

wait, you know how a CPU like gives 8 signals in binary? maybe you could use the LED’s to do something similar? mya not work cause I do NOT know what i’m doing.

9

Me niether lol. but I don’t think that’ll work but idk.

10

here is the coding language:

MicroScript (MS) language design

1. Language Name: MicroScript (MS)

2. Target Use and Scope:

Purpose: Displaying LED patterns and console-like text, with basic logic.

Audience: Teenagers with no prior text coding experience.

Complexity: Medium; relatively easy to learn, but with capability for loops and conditional logic.

3. Core Commands:

Drawing:

DRAW_CIRCLE=x-y-r-c

DRAW_RECT=x-y-w-h-c

DRAW_LINE=x1-y1-x2-y2-c

DRAW_PIXEL=x-y-c

CLEAR

Text/Display:

PRINT “text”

SCROLL “text”

SET_TEXT_COLOR=r-g-b

SHOW_CURSOR

HIDE_CURSOR

Control Flow:

ONSTART{

}

FOREVER{

}

WAIT ms

PAUSE_UNTIL [TRUE]

LOOP_WHILE [TRUE]

ENDLOOP

IF [BUTTON_A_PRESSED | BUTTON_B_PRESSED] THEN

ELSE

ENDIF

Input/Output:

PLAY_SOUND sound

WAIT_INPUT

SET_VAR=name-value

CHANGE_VAR=name-changeby

GET_VAR=name

CONSOLE_PRINT(“text”)

CREATE_FILE(“FILE_NAME”)

DELETE_FILE(“FILE_NAME”)

READ_FILE(“FILE_NAME”)

WRITE_FILE(“FILE_NAME”)[FILE_CONTENT]

SAVE_FILE(“FILE_NAME”)

4. Syntax and Structure:

Command Separator: A newline character (\n).

Command Format: Commands use a word-based syntax, e.g., COMMAND arg1 arg2.

String Delimiters: Double quotes (").

Comments: A double backslash (\\).

Case Sensitivity: MicroScript commands are case-insensitive for ease of use.

save_file is used to save all of your previously inputted text.