VIPER IDE. A browser based dedicated development environment, the IDE provides a platform for developing your Python code and managing your boards. It includes a compiler, debugger and an editor, alongside tutorials and example projects for an easy learning experience. A code editor based on Code Mirror makes it easy to navigate through your code, while providing a comfortable user interface. The integrated debugger has built-in support for exceptions, which although not Python exceptions, are faster to raise and handle. The IDE also allows you to inspect low-level VIPER VM byte-codes.
A serial console allows you to control communication with ports on the board. Managing connected devices is easy, thanks to the board management toolbar. A registered user is also automatically connected to VIPER cloud, where she or he can store data and access sessions from different devices/places, without affecting continuity. Thus, all you need to do is develop scripts locally using the IDE and sync it with the cloud.
VIPER VM. The aim of VIPER VM is to bring Python into the embedded world. It uses a sub-set of Python, neglecting features not required by the embedded world. What the VM lets you do is develop board-independent Python scripts that can be easily re-used and simulated. VIPER supports most high-level features of Python like modules, classes, multi-threading, callback, timers and exceptions. In addition to these, it allows one to use custom hardware-related features like interrupts, PWM and digital I/O.
VIPER app. This is how you access your object. The app provides an interface for all network- or Bluetooth-powered VIPER objects. Easily downloadable through Android, iTunes or Windows stores, the app allows you to control your object using your smartphone or tablet. On launching the app, it automatically displays a list of viperised devices in the vicinity, which you can then connect to.
Although VIPER is in Python, app interfaces are based on Hyper Text Mark-up Language (HTML) or Java, making it easy for you to connect to your MCU or mobiles. You do not need to write any separate code for Android or iOS.
How to start using VIPER
With a zero-install development environment, all you need to do is unpack the packages that come with VIPER.
Find example projects on VIPER hackster platform (www.hackster.io/viper). Clear your doubts that crop up by posting on their community forum (www.community.viperize.it). For anything else, get onto their website, www.viperize.it
Priya Ravindran is a technical journalist at EFY
could not find VIPER in above links. Now this rebranded to ZERYNTH
Thank you for the comment, we have updated the article