![\"esp32](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/digital_io_micropython_esp32_esp8266.jpg?resize=1200%2C675&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nPrerequisites<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
To follow this tutorial you need MicroPython firmware installed in your ESP32 or ESP8266 boards. You also need an IDE to write and upload the code to your board. We suggest using Thonny IDE or uPyCraft IDE:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Thonny IDE:
- Installing and getting started with Thonny IDE<\/a><\/li>
- Flashing MicroPython Firmware with esptool.py<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- uPyCraft IDE:
- Install uPyCraft IDE (Windows<\/a>, Mac OS X<\/a>, Linux<\/a>)<\/li>
- Flash\/Upload MicroPython Firmware to ESP32 and ESP8266<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
If this is your first time dealing with MicroPython, we recommend following this guide: Getting Started with MicroPython on ESP32 and ESP8266<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Project Overview<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
To show you how to use digital inputs and digital outputs, we’ll build a simple project example with a pushbutton and an LED. We’ll read the state of the pushbutton and light up the LED accordingly as illustrated in the following figure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/led_pushbutton.png?resize=825%2C411&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nDigital Inputs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
To get the value of a GPIO, first you need to create a Pin<\/span> object and set it as an input. For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
button = Pin(4, Pin.IN)<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nThen, to get is value, you need to use the value()<\/span> method on the Pin<\/span> object without passing any argument. For example, to get the state of a Pin<\/span> object called button<\/span>, use the following expression:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
button.value()<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nWe’ll show you in more detail how everything works in the project example.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Digital Outputs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
To set a GPIO on or off, first you need to set it as an output. For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
led = Pin(5, Pin.OUT)<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nTo control the GPIO, use the value()<\/span> method on the Pin<\/span> object and pass 1<\/span> or 0<\/span> as argument. For example, the following command sets a Pin<\/span> object (led<\/span>) to HIGH:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
led.value(1)<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nTo set the GPIO to LOW, pass 0<\/span> as argument:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
led.value(0)<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nSchematic<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Before proceeding, you need to assemble a circuit with an LED and a pushbutton. We’ll connect the LED to GPIO 5<\/span> and the pushbutton to GPIO 4<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Parts Required<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Here\u2019s a list of the parts to you need to build the circuit:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- ESP32<\/a> or ESP8266<\/a> (read: ESP32 vs ESP8266<\/a>)<\/li>
- 5 mm LED<\/a><\/li>
- 330 Ohm resistor<\/a><\/li>
- Pushbutton<\/a><\/li>
- 10k Ohm resistor<\/a><\/li>
- Breadboard<\/a><\/li>
- Jumper wires<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n
You can use the preceding links or go directly to MakerAdvisor.com\/tools<\/a> to find all the parts for your projects at the best price!<\/p>
![](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/header-200.png?w=1200&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nSchematic \u2013 ESP32
<\/h3>\n\n\n\nFollow the next schematic diagram if you\u2019re using an ESP32 board:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/led_button_esp32_bb.png?resize=1065%2C707&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nSchematic \u2013 ESP8266<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Follow the next schematic diagram if you\u2019re using an ESP8266 board:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/led_button_esp8266_bb.png?resize=1038%2C573&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nOn the ESP8266, the pin marked as D1 corresponds to GPIO 5<\/span> and the pin marked as D2 corresponds to GPIO 4<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Script<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The following code reads the state of the pushbutton and lights up the LED accordingly. The code works for both the ESP32 and ESP8266 boards.<\/p>\n\n\n
# Complete project details at https:\/\/RandomNerdTutorials.com\/micropython-programming-with-esp32-and-esp8266\/\n\nfrom machine import Pin\nfrom time import sleep\n\nled = Pin(5, Pin.OUT)\nbutton = Pin(4, Pin.IN)\n\nwhile True:\n led.value(button.value())\n sleep(0.1)\n<\/code><\/pre>\n\tView raw code<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
How the Code Works<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
You start by importing the Pin<\/span> class from the machine<\/span> module, and the sleep<\/span> class from the time<\/span> module.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
from machine import Pin\nfrom time import sleep<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nThen, create a Pin<\/span> object called led<\/span> on GPIO 5<\/span>. LEDs are outputs, so pass as second argument Pin.OUT<\/span>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
led = Pin(5, Pin.OUT)<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nWe also create an object called button<\/span> on GPIO 4<\/span>. Buttons are inputs, so use Pin.IN<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
button = Pin(4, Pin.IN)<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nUse button.value()<\/span> to return\/read the button state.Then, pass the button.value()<\/span> expression as an argument to the LED value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
led.value(button.value())<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nThis way, when we press the button, button.value()<\/span> returns 1<\/span>. So, this is the same as having led.value(1)<\/span>. This sets the LED state to 1<\/span>, lighting up the LED. When the pushbutton is not being pressed, button.value()<\/span> returns 0<\/span>. So, we have led.value(0)<\/span>, and the LED stays off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Demonstration<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Save the code to your ESP board using Thonny IDE<\/a> or uPyCraft IDE<\/a>. Then, the LED should light up when you press the button and stay off when you release it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/micropython-esp32-esp8266-inputs-outputs.jpg?resize=750%2C414&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nWrapping Up<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
To wrap up, to read the value of a GPIO, we simply need to use the value()<\/span> method on the corresponding Pin<\/span> object. To set the value of a GPIO, we just need to pass as argument 1<\/span> or 0<\/span> to the value()<\/span> method to set it on or off, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We hope you’ve found this tutorial useful. If you’re just getting started with MicroPython, you may also like the following resources:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- [eBook] MicroPython Programming with EPS32\/ESP8266<\/strong><\/a><\/li>
- ESP32\/ESP8266 GPIOs Explained with MicroPython<\/a><\/li>
- ESP32\/ESP8266 Analog Readings with MicroPython<\/a><\/li>
- ESP32\/ESP8266 PWM with MicroPython \u2013 Dim LED<\/a><\/li>
- ESP32\/ESP8266 MicroPython Web Server \u2013 Control Outputs<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Thanks for reading.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
This tutorial shows how to control the ESP32 and ESP8266 GPIOs as digital inputs and digital outputs using MicroPython firmware. As an example, you’ll learn how to read the value … <\/p>\n
- ESP32\/ESP8266 GPIOs Explained with MicroPython<\/a><\/li>
- 5 mm LED<\/a><\/li>
- Flash\/Upload MicroPython Firmware to ESP32 and ESP8266<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Flashing MicroPython Firmware with esptool.py<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Installing and getting started with Thonny IDE<\/a><\/li>