Category Archives: Tools

Pythonista 3

Pythonista3  is simply the most fun and easiest/fastest way to develop  iPad/iPhone apps/demos (in Python) to complement your IoT demos and projects. Apparently the app has been in the Apple Store for more than three years and the author has had time … Continue reading

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Saleae Logic Analyzer

Saleae Logic Analyzers stand to similar (low cost- USB) products as an iPhone stands to an old Nokia soap-bar. And it is not just a matter of (modern) looks, although they decidedly aim at an Apple-ish look and perhaps beyond. It’s the software that … Continue reading

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A (not so) Virtual Machine for Oberon 0

The Oberon 0 compiler  I recently wrote (in Python) after following the online Compiler Construction course [1, 2] included much more than a single pass compiler. In the best tradition of such courses based on the work of N. Wirth, the lexer and parser … Continue reading

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Compiler Construction (part 2)

As promised, I am adding a few more thoughts on my recent (re-)exploration of  Compiler design and Python programming. I had been flirting before [link] with the idea of writing a compiler in Python, using tools developed in Python (for … Continue reading

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High Endurance Flash made easy with MCC

The MPLAB Code Configurator is changing the way I write embedded applications. Some of my (relatively) recent code is starting to look positively ancient by comparison. Take for example AN1673, “Using the PIC16F1XXX High-Endurance Flash (HEF) Block”. It was written in the … Continue reading

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An MCC Mystery Solved

MPLAB Code Configurator is a tool that has revolutionised the way I work with microcontrollers. I use it every day, for each and every project and, in fact, I found out that I am creating more projects than ever because of … Continue reading

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RADIX – PIC18F25K22 Rapid Prototyping

If you are looking for a nice prototyping board featuring a PIC18F25K22 , I would take a look at the RADIX boards by Zardynamics.  For very little money you get a nice breakout of all device pins (coincidentally compatible mechanically and electrically … Continue reading

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Chrome Extensions and the Ultimate Platform

The Chrome browser has never been my favourite for some mysterious (perhaps purely estetical) reason, but I have learned to appreciate it in recent time for the continuous (furious) effort the developer’s team has put into advancing its technology. Recent Chrome betas … Continue reading

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USB Swiss Army Knife

It’s the small things, the smallest boards, that often make my day! This is the MCP2221 breakout board (ADM00559), and it is my new Swiss Army Knife. If you are not familiar already with the MCP product line, these are generally … Continue reading

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Compiler Construction (in Python)

Learning <insert any subject here> has never been easier! Massive Open Online Courses are a real thing, and while we can debate how high we are at this point on the hype curve, the world is a better place because we … Continue reading

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