Pycopy: The Lightweight Version of Embedded Systems!

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Pycopy: The Lightweight Version of Embedded Systems!

Is the label “Python is not lightweight” a mistake? Believe it or not, Pycopy truly makes Python as compact as a pocket monster. Pycopy focuses on “lightness” and is specifically tailored for resource-constrained embedded devices. What is embedded? Imagine your home router, smart wristband, small robot… that’s right, it’s all part of the embedded world. If regular Python (CPython) tries to invade these “tiny” territories, it often gets sent back home due to “insufficient memory.” The emergence of Pycopy directly allows Python to fit into these “miniature” devices, thriving in the process. This article won’t gossip; instead, let’s discuss what makes Pycopy special, how to use it, and what pitfalls to watch out for.

What’s the Difference Between Pycopy and CPython?

Pycopy is the minimalist version of Python. You will find that Pycopy has cut down many of the “bulky” features that come with CPython, such as many contents of the standard library, successfully achieving “slimming down.” However, the syntax, data types, and function usage are quite similar to what you practice on your PC. It feels comfortable to write.

For example:

print("Hello, Pycopy!")

This classic greeting code runs just fine in Pycopy. Basic operations like variables and data types are no different.

The standard library has become slimmer. For instance, when using the os module, some functions are missing:

import os
print(os.listdir())  # This works
# os.popen()  # This cannot be found in Pycopy

Friendly reminder: Don’t assume the standard library has everything; what exists in Pycopy may only have the “bones” without the meat. It is advisable to check the Pycopy documentation before writing code to avoid discovering missing components halfway through.

Lightweight Memory Management, Consuming Fewer Resources

What do embedded devices fear the most? Excessive memory consumption. The Pycopy interpreter acts like a diet coach, being very careful with memory allocation. You can use garbage collection (GC) to reclaim unused memory, preventing the persistent problem of “memory leaks.”

How to use it? Very simple:

import gc
gc.collect()  # Immediately reclaim garbage

Friendly reminder: GC is not a “magic potion”; when you call it, you are reminding Pycopy to clean up. It is advisable to use it multiple times when the device is idle, rather than waiting until memory is maxed out.

Micro Standard Library, Slim Does Not Mean Disabled

Although Pycopy’s standard library is quite “slim,” the core modules are all present. For example, file operations, string processing, numerical calculations, and common algorithms… can all be found. Only some advanced features have been removed, such as multithreading and certain network modules.

For instance, file operations:

with open('data.txt', 'w') as f:
    f.write('Pycopy rocks!')

This code still runs in Pycopy. Reading and writing files is not a problem.

Sometimes you want to use the json module to serialize data, then you can do:

import json
data = {'name': 'Pycopy', 'type': 'embedded'}
print(json.dumps(data))

The output is:

{"name": "Pycopy", "type": "embedded"}

Friendly reminder: Don’t expect Pycopy to directly install third-party libraries. Most packages on PyPI require C extensions or a complete standard library, which Pycopy’s “miniature body” cannot handle. When encountering a library you want to use, first check if there is a Pycopy-specific ported version.

Essential Syntax, Functions, and Classes Fully Supported

Although Pycopy is small, it does not mean it has a low “IQ.” You can still use common conditional statements, loops, functions, classes, decorators, and lambda expressions. For example:

def add(x, y):
    return x + y
result = add(3, 7)
print(result)  # Output: 10

Defining a class:

class Animal:
    def speak(self):
        print("Hello from Pycopy animal.")
dog = Animal()
dog.speak()

Output:

Hello from Pycopy animal.

Lambda expression:

square = lambda x: x * x
print(square(5))  # Output: 25

Decorators are also supported:

def shout(func):
    def wrapper():
        print("PYCOPY!")
        func()
    return wrapper
@shout
def greet():
    print("hello")
greet()

Output:

PYCOPY!hello

Friendly reminder: Don’t think that “functionality shrinkage” means you can’t learn real skills; the syntactic sugar of Pycopy is all there, allowing you to write embedded scripts flexibly.

Suitable Scenarios and Common Pitfalls

Where is Pycopy suitable? For example, it can be used in smart homes, IoT devices, microcontrollers (STM32, ESP32, etc.), routers, watches, and various DIY electronic projects… wherever memory is tight and resources are limited, Pycopy is in its element.

There are also some pitfalls, such as:

• Floating-point precision is limited, making it less suitable for scientific calculations compared to CPython.
• Module absence, many CPython libraries cannot be used.
• Minor syntax differences, such as details in exception handling; it is advisable to check the documentation.

Learning tip: The development pace of Pycopy is rapid, so it is recommended to keep an eye on the official documentation and GitHub, rather than clinging to outdated materials.

Pycopy encapsulates the “soul” of Python into a mini body, still running happily. Writing embedded scripts and playing with small hardware, Pycopy is the “pocket Python.” Variables, conditional statements, loops, functions, classes, decorators, and lambdas can all be utilized, with selective use of the standard library. Even with limited resources, Python is still a viable option, which is truly appealing. When using Pycopy, remember to check the documentation frequently, experiment hands-on, and be aware of the shallow waters and many pitfalls; after a few stumbles, you’ll get the hang of it.

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