Direct flashing from MakeCode to micro:bit

Summary

Learn how to seamlessly transfer programs from MakeCode to your micro:bit using Chrome or Edge. Connect your micro:bit via USB, navigate through the 'connect device' prompts, and select 'BBC micro:bit' to establish a connection. With a USB logo on the 'Download' button, your programs will directly transfer, lighting up as they go. Post-transfer, the program runs automatically. Remember, direct transfer doesn't save a hex file, so click the floppy disk icon to save it for future use.

Takeaways

• 🌐 Use a recent version of Chrome or Edge browsers for MakeCode.
• 🔌 Connect your micro:bit to the computer using a USB cable.
• 📱 Click on the three dots next to the 'Download' button to proceed.
• 📲 Select 'connect device' and follow the prompts to connect your micro:bit.
• 🖥️ Your BBC micro:bit should appear in a pop-up window; select it.
• 🔗 Click 'connect' and then 'Done' to establish the connection.
• 💾 A USB logo on the 'Download' button indicates a successful connection.
• 📥 Clicking 'Download' now transfers programs directly to your micro:bit.
• 💡 The micro:bit's light flashes during the transfer process.
• 🏁 The program runs automatically upon completion of the transfer.
• 💾 Direct transfer does not save a hex file; use the floppy disk icon to save it manually.

Q & A

What are the recommended web browsers for transferring a program to a micro:bit?

The recommended web browsers are recent versions of Chrome or Edge.

How do you connect your micro:bit to the computer for program transfer?

You connect your micro:bit to the computer using a USB cable.

What should you do after connecting your micro:bit to the computer?

Click on the three dots next to the 'Download' button, then click on 'connect device', followed by 'next' and 'next' again.

What will you see in the pop-up window during the connection process?

You should see your BBC micro:bit listed in a pop-up window.

How do you proceed after seeing your micro:bit in the pop-up window?

Click on 'BBC micro:bit...', then click on 'connect' and 'Done'.

What visual indication will you see on the MakeCode interface when your micro:bit is connected?

A USB logo will appear on the 'Download' button.

What happens when you click on the 'Download' button after the direct transfer setup?

The MakeCode program transfers directly to your micro:bit, and the light on the back of your micro:bit flashes during the transfer.

Will the micro:bit automatically run the program after the transfer is complete?

Yes, the program will run automatically when the transfer is complete.

Does direct transfer of programs to a micro:bit save a copy of the project hex file?

No, direct transfer of programs to a micro:bit does not save a copy of the project hex file.

How can you save a copy of the hex file if you need to keep it?

Click on the floppy disk icon to save a copy of the hex file in your downloads folder.

Can you reload the hex file in the editor or transfer it to micro:bits later?

Yes, you can copy or move the hex file to a safe location and reload it in the editor or transfer it to micro:bits by drag and drop at a later date.

Outlines

00:00

💻 Direct Program Transfer to micro:bit

This paragraph provides a step-by-step guide on how to transfer a program from the MakeCode blocks editor directly to a micro:bit device. It emphasizes the use of recent versions of Chrome or Edge browsers and the process of connecting the micro:bit to a computer via USB. The instructions include clicking on specific buttons within the MakeCode interface to establish a connection, which is indicated by a USB logo appearing on the 'Download' button. Once connected, programs can be downloaded directly to the micro:bit, with the device's light flashing during the transfer. The program automatically runs after the transfer is complete. The paragraph also advises on saving a copy of the project hex file by clicking the floppy disk icon for future use, which can be stored or moved to a safe location for reloading in the editor or transferring to other micro:bits by drag and drop.

Keywords

💡MakeCode

MakeCode is a block-based programming editor that allows users to write code for the micro:bit using visual blocks that represent programming commands. In the context of the video, MakeCode is the platform used to develop and transfer programs to the micro:bit. The script mentions connecting a micro:bit to the computer and using MakeCode to transfer a program directly, showcasing its role in the programming process.

💡micro:bit

The micro:bit is a small, programmable computer designed for educational purposes. It has an array of features including an LED display, buttons, and sensors. The video script describes the process of connecting the micro:bit to a computer and transferring a program from MakeCode to the device, highlighting its central role in the tutorial.

💡Chrome

Chrome is a widely used web browser developed by Google. The script specifies that a recent version of Chrome or Edge web browsers should be used for the process of transferring a program to the micro:bit, indicating the importance of having an up-to-date browser for compatibility with MakeCode.

💡USB cable

A USB cable is a type of cable used to connect devices to a computer for data transfer or charging. In the script, a USB cable is used to connect the micro:bit to the computer, which is a necessary step for the program transfer process described in the video.

💡Download button

The 'Download' button in MakeCode is used to save or transfer the program to the micro:bit. The script explains that after connecting the device, the 'Download' button will have a USB logo, indicating that clicking it will transfer the program directly to the micro:bit, which is a key step in the process.

💡Connect device

The 'Connect device' option in MakeCode is part of the process to establish a connection between the micro:bit and the computer. The script instructs viewers to click on 'Connect device' to initiate this connection, which is essential for the direct transfer of programs.

💡BBC micro:bit

The BBC micro:bit is a specific model of the micro:bit, developed in collaboration with the BBC. The script mentions selecting 'BBC micro:bit' from a pop-up window during the connection process, indicating that this is the device the tutorial is focused on.

💡Floppy disk icon

The floppy disk icon in MakeCode represents the 'Save' function. The script advises users to click on this icon if they wish to save a copy of their project's hex file. This is important for preserving the work and allows for future reloading or transferring to other micro:bits.

💡Hex file

A hex file is a type of file format used to store compiled code, which can be programmed into a microcontroller like the micro:bit. The script mentions saving a hex file as a backup, which is crucial for users who need to keep a record of their program for future use.

💡Drag and drop

Drag and drop is a method of transferring files or data by dragging an item with a mouse and dropping it in a desired location. The script suggests that users can transfer hex files to micro:bits by drag and drop, which is a convenient way to load programs onto the device without using MakeCode.

Highlights

Ensure using a recent version of Chrome or Edge web browsers for MakeCode.

Connect your micro:bit to the computer using a USB cable.

Click on the three dots next to the 'Download' button in MakeCode.

Select 'connect device', then proceed to 'next' and 'next' again.

Your BBC micro:bit should appear in a pop-up window.

Click on 'BBC micro:bit...' and then 'connect' followed by 'Done'.

A USB logo will appear on the download button indicating a successful connection.

The MakeCode program transfers directly to your micro:bit upon clicking 'Download'.

The micro:bit's light flashes during the program transfer.

The program runs automatically after the transfer is complete.

Direct transfer does not save a copy of the project hex file.

Use the floppy disk icon to save a copy of the hex file in your downloads folder.

You can copy or move the hex file for safekeeping or future use.

The saved hex file can be reloaded in the editor or transferred by drag and drop.

Make sure to update your browser for compatibility with the MakeCode editor.

The USB connection is essential for direct program transfer to the micro:bit.

The micro:bit's light indicator provides visual feedback during the transfer process.

Automatic program execution ensures immediate testing of the transferred code.

Saving the hex file is crucial for project documentation and version control.

The floppy disk icon is the gateway to saving your project's hex file for future use.

Hex files can be managed for multiple micro:bit devices through file operations.

Transcripts

This is how to transfer a program directly from the MakeCode blocks editor to your micro:bit.

Make sure you're using a recent version of the Chrome or Edge web browsers.

Connect your micro:bit to the computer using a USB cable and then click on the three dots

next to the 'Download' button.

Click on 'connect device' and then 'next' and 'next' again.

You should see your BBC micro:bit listed in a pop-up window.

Click on 'BBC micro:bit...'

and then click on 'connect' and 'Done'.

You'll see a USB logo has appeared on the download button.

Now every time you click on the 'Download' button the MakeCode program transfers directly

to your micro:bit.

The light on the back of your micro:bit flashes as it transfers.

Your program will run automatically when the transfer is complete.

Direct transfer of programs to a micro:bit doesn't save a copy of your project hex file,

so if that's important to you, click on the floppy disk icon to save a copy of the hex

file in your downloads folder.

You can copy or move it somewhere safe if you need to keep it to reload in the editor

at a later date or transfer to micro:bits by drag and drop.