Spin Neopixels, Volume Gauge, and List Comprehensions (CircuitPython School)

In this lesson we learn to spin NeoPixels with list slices, we learn to use list comprehensions, and we create a neopixel volume-style gauge. A great way to up your game with more advanced CircuitPython.
Part of Prof. John Gallaugher's Physical Computing university course. Full playlist at bit.ly/circuit...

[@joeblow229]

These videos are fun, and interesting, but I don't tend to watch them because I feel like rather than a tutorial or lesson, it's like a spoiler for how to solve a puzzle, or cheating in school. Not sure why I think that way, just pointing it out, because I feel like this channel should have more subs and comments, and maybe other people are thinking the same thing?
Edit: I'm going to start at the beginning, look at your course, and try to find a way to learn the lessons, solve the puzzles myself, then go back and watch the videos.

[@profgallaugher]

Glad you think the lessons are fun but I’m not sure I understand the comment. There are lessons but also challenges. You can try the challenges - and should - before watching the solution. The solutions often show a new technique or tip, as well, so even if someone got an answer hopefully there is a tip in there. As a heads up, my students watch these outside of class, then in class I give them more challenges to complete. You are welcome to check out the weekly notes and challenges in the open Google Drive on my website gallaugher.com. The course canvas is closed but the drive is open. This technique is known as “flipped classroom” teaching.

[@joeblow229]

Thanks for letting me know, looking forward to getting started with these this weekend :) I've been making things with Arduino and Micro Python for years, but my programming skills are lacking and getting worse from lack of practice and relying on GPT to write and fix code for me.

[@profgallaugher]

You'll find Python MUCH better to work with than C/Arduino. And it's a language that's used in many more modern contexts. C is dying, so I don't bother teaching this to my students. There are only a few performance reasons you'd choose Arduino over Python, and those are getting fewer as processors get faster. I used to take my students to Spice robot restaurant (bought by Sweetgreen), and all of their robotics were run using python. You should also find CircuitPython is more intuitive than Micro Python. And most importantly I find the support from the Adafruit Discord forum is just fantastic.