# The Basics

The first `boot.py` will be executed when the interpreter starts. This file should contain only code associated with configuration. Then `main.py` will run. It is within this `main.py` that you will place your entry point code.

## Connecting to a micropython board using screen on a Mac

```
screen /dev/cu.SLAB_USBtoUART 115200
```

To detach from a screen session first press `Ctrl-A` then `Ctrl-D`.

To resume a detach session use:

```
screen -r
```

To kill a screen session press `Ctrl-A` then `k`. You will be prompted to confirm with `y\n` whether to kill the session or not.

## Memory Usage

These two functions can help you determine approximate memory usage.

```
import gc
import os

def df():

    s = os.statvfs('//')
    return ('{0} MB'.format((s[0]*s[3])/1048576))

def free(full=False):
    gc.collect()
    F = gc.mem_free()
    A = gc.mem_alloc()
    T = F+A
    P = '{0:.2f}%'.format(F/T*100)
    if not full: return P
    else : return ('Total:{0} Free:{1} ({2})'.format(T,F,P))
```

# installing micropython on esp32

1. Delete flash

```
esptool.py --port /dev/cu.SLAB_USBtoUART erase_flash
```

For an ESP32-S3

```
esptool.py --chip esp32-s3 --port /dev/cu.SLAB_USBtoUART erase_flash
```

2. If you have external spi ram (4MB) you want to use the spiram bin.

```
esptool.py --chip esp32 --port /dev/cu.SLAB_USBtoUART --baud 460800 write_flash -z 0x1000 ./binaries/esp32-idf4-20210202-v1.14.bin
```

For an ESP32-S3

```
esptool.py --chip esp32-s3 --port /dev/cu.SLAB_USBtoUART --baud 460800 write_flash -z 0x0000 ./binaries/GENERIC_S3_SPIRAM-20220117-v1.18.bin
```