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micro:bit apps

Create a new program

Start afresh

Open the samples menu and select the empty program, as shown below.

Select samples tile

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Select empty tile

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Press d-A to create your first rule

The editor should be open on the empty program with the cursor in the When section of the first rule. Press d-A to bring up the When menu, which lists the various events to choose from. The press event tile is selected. Press d-A to insert the press tile into the rule.

The empty program

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The When menu

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Select the button to recognize

As shown below, the cursor should now be on the empty tile to the right of the press tile.

Press the d-A button again to bring up the menu that lists the options for which “pressable” items the micro:bit offers, which includes the m-A and m-B buttons, as well as the micro:bit logo and the three large pins (labelled 0, 1, and 2) on the micro:bit’s edge connector.

Press d-A to select the m-A button.

First tile created!

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Pressable options

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When complete, move to Do!

Now that you have finished the When section of the rule, the cursor now is in the Do section, as shown below. Click the d-A button to bring up the menu of actions to select from. The show image tile is selected by default. Press d-A again to insert the tile.

When section complete

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Do menu

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Start your first image

Now, press d-A again to bring up a two-tile menu with the image editor tile selected (the other tile is the repeat tile). Press d-A to enter the image editor.

Show image inserted

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Choose image editor

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Edit the image

Use the direction pad to move around the 5x5 LED matrix; press d-A to toggle the state of the LED the cursor is on. When you are finished designing your image press d-B to exit the image editor.

You have finished your first MicroCode When-Do rule!

LED image editor

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First rule completed!

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Run your program

You can run the program in one of three ways:

  • use the direction pad to navigate to the green play tile and press d-A
  • press either the m-A or m-B button on the micro:bit
  • press the menu button on the display shield

The micro:bit will indicate the program is running by a quick circular animation on the LED display.