Lua vs MicroPython

Google Gemini's Two Cents Worth:

Lua and MicroPython are both lightweight scripting languages often used in embedded systems, but they have some key differences:

Lua

• Strengths:

  • Simplicity: Lua has a very minimalist syntax, making it easy to learn and use.1

  • Speed: Lua is known for its fast execution speed, especially when used with LuaJIT.2

  • Embeddability: Lua is designed to be easily embedded within other applications, providing scripting capabilities without adding much overhead.3

  • Lightweight: Lua has a small footprint, making it ideal for resource-constrained environments.4

• Weaknesses:

  • Smaller standard library: Compared to Python, Lua has a smaller standard library, meaning you might need to rely on external libraries for some functionalities.5

  • Less community support: Lua has a smaller community compared to Python, which can mean fewer resources and tutorials available.6

MicroPython

• Strengths:

  • Python compatibility: MicroPython is a lean and efficient implementation of the Python 3 language, so it's familiar to anyone who knows Python.7

  • Large ecosystem: MicroPython can leverage the vast ecosystem of Python libraries and tools.8

  • Active community: MicroPython has a large and active community, providing ample support and resources.9

• Weaknesses:

  • Larger footprint: Compared to Lua, MicroPython has a larger memory footprint, which might be a concern for some embedded systems.

  • Slower execution: MicroPython can be slower than Lua, especially for computationally intensive tasks.

In summary:

• If you need a very lightweight and fast scripting language for your embedded system, Lua might be a good choice.

• If you want to use a language that's familiar to Python developers and has access to a large ecosystem of libraries, MicroPython might be a better fit.

Ultimately, the best choice depends on your specific needs and priorities.

MTCW:  Porting

Google Gemini's response (above) doesn't address the issue of porting. At some point, you will want to get MicroPython to run on your board.

FWIW, here are the instructions for porting MicroPython.