Lack of support for micro:bit-based projects

[isr-a]

(Apologies if this is already implemented and I'm merely missing it)

One of the available extensions scratch projects may utilise is communication with the BBC micro:bit. It would be nice to be able to properly allow for micro:bit communication in order to extend compatibility to more scratch projects.

Even within scratch, properly interfacing with the micro:bit is finicky, requiring the installation of the program "Scratch Link", the uploading of a .hex file to the micro:bit, and finally entering the project to find and establish a connection with the micro:bit (all detailed in the linked website).

I imagine the easiest way to integrate compatibility would be to largely follow the same structure. Firstly, have the user download scratch link and properly set up their micro:bit. A compiled project (either automatically recognising the presence of micro:bit blocks OR set as a compile flag) could - before starting - put a dialogue up to search and establish a connection with a micro:bit before continuing.

Rough sketch can be seen below:

Here's an example of a project that uses a micro:bit - https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/764536890/

[isr-a]

I have a micro:bit + some programming expertise so I can try working on this myself - I just wanted to open this issue to discuss how best to go about implementing micro:bit compatibility.

[GarboMuffin]

Scratch Link is supposed to be enabled here, might be a good place to step through

packager/src/scaffolding/scaffolding.js

Line 373 in 91b0af0

async _connectPeripherals () {

I don't have any of the hardware so I've never been able to properly test it though

The hex uploading step is definitely missing and there isn't yet an interface around this, it just connects to whatever it can find

[isr-a]

Ah I should have been more specific - the hex file in question is downloaded directly from this page and the user places the file themselves into the file directory for the plugged in micro:bit. The project itself doesn't upload a hex file. So the only thing the project is doing is looking for a properly set up peripheral.

Does the packager already have support for interfacing with scratch link?

[GarboMuffin]

The function _connectPeripherals linked above is supposed to be where we enable scratch link by telling scratch-vm to connect to the first device it can find.

[GarboMuffin]

Does microbit work on https://turbowarp.org/editor ? That's a prerequisite for making it work in the packager

[isr-a]

Yes, just checked and the entire process worked. Loaded this game into the editor, added the micro:bit extension and it was able to recognise my micro:bit (I had both the .hex uploaded and scratch link active)

See below: