veyepar: Snek: A Python-Inspired Language for Tiny Embedded Computers

Author(s):	Keith Packard
Location	Mystic Theatre
Date	nov Sun 03	Days Raw Files
Start	14:30	First Raw Start	14:03
Duration	0:30:0	Offset	0:26:46
End	15:00	Last Raw End	15:03
Chapters	00:00
Total cuts_time	25 min.

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

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