Programming with MakeCode

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What is MakeCode?

MakeCode is a web-based code editor for physical computing made by Microsoft.

What does that mean for you? It means you can program your Circuit Playground Express to do almost anything you can dream up right from a website! You can code with blocks similar to the language Scratch, or you can do more advanced coding with Javascript. We'll be sticking to the block-based programming for this project.

More on MakeCode for Adafruit boards here.

Install the MakeCode CRICKIT Extension

Before we start programming, let's make sure you have the CRICKIT extension installed in MakeCode.

Detailed instructions on how to do that can be found in this guide.

Create a New Project with MakeCode

Head over to https://makecode.adafruit.com/ and create a new project.

Click the button below to access the code for this project.

circuit_playground_Screen_Shot_2018-12-06_at_2.13.27_PM.png

What's going on the code above?
  • In a forever loop, we set volume level to 140 then play "Deck the Halls" by calling the deckthehalls functions. The "forever" loop means this code block loops forever regardless of other events that happen in the code!
  • "Deck the Halls" can be separated into 3 parts. The song starts with part 1, then repeats, then goes to parts 2 and 3. Creating functions for these song parts then "calling" the functions later allows us to have much cleaner looking and more organized code. It also allows us to reduce the amount of code needed for the project making the program more efficient!
  • When capacitive touch input A3 on the CPX is touched, we want to move the servo motor from 0 to 120 degrees, and back, 10 times fast to shake the snowman. Adding the 100ms of pause in between allows the servo to have enough time to move to each position.

Uploading the Code

Now that we have the code for the project, we need to upload it to the CPX.

Let's name our file and download it.

  • Choose a name at the bottom of the page.
  • Then click the pink Download button.

Note MakeCode adds a UF2 extension to the filename.

Follow the directions and connect your CPX to your computer via the USB cable. Click the CPX Reset button once to go into programming mode (all NeoPixels will turn green).

In some cases, you may need to press the reset button twice to get into programming mode.

Next, look for the UF2 file in your downloads folder and drag it onto your CPLAYBOOT drive that should have showed up in your file manager/finder when you plugged in your board and entered programming mode.

You should now see the CPLAYBOOT drive disappear, this means the code is running.

Power up CRICKIT

Connect CRICKIT to power with the 5V DC power cable and be sure the tiny on/off switch next to the black power input jack is on.

The code should now be running so try it out!

  • When the board is powered up, "Deck the Halls" should start playing.
  • When the end of the alligator clip is touched, the servo should quickly move back and forth for 1 - 2 seconds.

If you are having issues getting things to work check out this extended guide here.

circuit_playground_IMG_6652.jpg
 Wiring Electronics Build the Snowman 

This guide was first published on Dec 07, 2018. It was last updated on Dec 07, 2018.

This page (Programming with MakeCode) was last updated on Nov 27, 2021.

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