Introduction to KookaBlocs

KookaBlocs: Visual Programming Editor for Kookaberry Microprocessor Boards

KookaBlocs is a powerful visual editor designed for creating program scripts for Kookaberry and related microprocessor boards. This editor operates on a drag-and-drop interface, making it beginner-friendly and highly intuitive. It’s built upon the open-source Google Blockly library (Apache 2 license), created by Google to facilitate the development of beginner-friendly programming languages.

Fig. 1 shows a KookaBlocs script assembled from visual function blocks dragged onto the Workspace from the palette of blocks on the left of the display. The blocks click together like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle to form a series of steps that the Kookaberry microcomputer will perform.

_images/kblocs-welcome-script.png — Fig. 1 This is the **KookaBlocs** display with an example **KookaBlocs** script.

The example shown above shows a loop that writes a welcome message on the Kookaberry display and flashes the Kookaberry’s LEDs. It then sleeps for 2 seconds and then goes back to the beginning of the loop. The loop will run until the Kookaberry is reset or power is removed.

KookaBlocs was created by Damien George (George Robotics – MicroPython) in collaboration with Kookaberry Pty Ltd. It also received support from the AustSTEM Foundation, the Warren Centre, and the Vonwiller Foundation.

Key Features

Intuitive Visual Interface:

Users can create syntactically correct scripts and programs effortlessly, even without prior knowledge of any programming language.

KookaBlocs enables users to assemble visual blocks into structured MicroPython (Python 3.0) code.

Compatibility:

The generated code can be utilized on most microprocessor boards that use MicroPython, but is particularly suited to those with Kookaberry firmware for STM, RP2040 and RP2350 microprocessors.

Platform Compatibility:

KookaBlocs runs as a Progressive Web Application (PWA) within the Google Chrome we browser and browsers that are based on Chrome. Any personal computer that supports the Chrome web browser can be used. This includes PCs running Microsoft Windows 10 or 11, Apple MacOS, Linux, Chrome OS (Chromebook), and Raspberry Pi Raspbian operating systems.

Easy Access:

The latest version of KookaBlocs can be conveniently downloaded from the AustSTEM website at https://auststem.com.au/KookaBlocs.

Follow the Access and Install KookaBlocs guide in the next section to initiate and, for offline use, to install KookaBlocs.

Programming With KookaBlocs

Using KookaBlocs is straight forward and enjoyable.

Users can drag and drop visual code blocks into the Workspace, where they can be seamlessly interlocked or snapped together using sockets.

These sockets represent fundamental code concepts, including program controls (activation, termination, loops, and decisions), actions, and result computations (variables, values, mathematical and logical expressions).

The intuitive visual process empowers users to apply programming concepts and principles when designing scripts or programs, eliminating the need to worry about the syntax and semantics of MicroPython.

With KookaBlocs, programming becomes an enjoyable and accessible endeavour.

AustSTEM Learning Hub

AustSTEM has assembled a collection of resources on its Learning Hub at https://learn.auststem.com.au. These resources complement the material in this manual with examples, lesson plans, descriptions of equipment and of their application.