Language - Python

Python is an object oriented programming language developed by the Python Software Foundation, is powerful and easy to learn.

Introduction

If this is your first time working with a Phidget, we suggest starting with the Getting Started page for your specific device. This can be found in the user guide for your device. That page will walk you through installing drivers and libraries for your operating system, and will then bring you back here to use Python specifically.

Python is capable of using the complete Phidget API, including events. We also provide example code in Python for all Phidget devices.

Python can be developed with Windows, Mac OS X and Linux. We provide instructions on how to set up your environment for command line, IDLE, and Eclipse with PyDev.

Only Python 2.5 or higher are supported.

You can compare Python with our other supported languages.

Quick Downloads

Just need the Python documentation, drivers, libraries, and examples? Here they are:

API Documentation:

• API Manual

Example Code:

• Example Code

Libraries and Drivers:

• Python Library
• 32-bit Windows Drivers Installer
• 64-bit Windows Drivers Installer
• Linux Source
• General Mac OS X Drivers Installer

Getting started with Python

If you are new to writing code for Phidgets, we recommend starting by running, then modifying existing examples. This will allow you to:

• Make sure your libraries are properly linked
• Go from source code to a test application as quickly as possible
• Ensure your Phidget is hooked up properly

Instructions are divided up by operating system. Choose:

• Windows 2000 / XP / Vista / 7
• Mac OS X
• Linux (including PhidgetSBC)

Windows(2000/XP/Vista/7)

Description of Library

Python programs on Windows depend on the following files, which the installers above put onto your system:

• phidget21.dll contains the actual Phidgets library, which is used at run-time. By default, it is placed in C:\Windows\System32.
• Phidgets Python Module is the Phidgets library for Python 2.5 or higher. It is to be placed in the <Python Install Directory>\Lib\site-packages directory. More information will be provided in the Use Our Examples section for your environment.

If you do not want to use our installer, you can download the phidget21.dll.

Running the examples and writing your own code can be fairly compiler-specific, so we include instructions for each environment below.

Command line

Use Our Examples

Please start by downloading Phidgets Python Module. After extracting the file, you will find a directory named Phidgets. Copy this directory over to the <Python Install Directory>\Lib\site-packages directory.

Next, download the examples and unpack them into a foler. While these examples were written in Python 3.0, they are also compatible with Python and 2.5 and 2.6. If you aren't sure what the software example for your device is called, check the software object listed in the Getting Started guide for your device.

Now, open up a command line prompt and navigate to the directory of the example folder.

Next, enter the following to run the example:

python example.py

Once you have the Python examples running, we have a teaching section below to help you follow them.

Write Your Own Code

When you are building a project from scratch, or adding Phidget function calls to an existing project, you'll need to configure your environment to properly link the Phidget Python libraries. Please see the Use Our Examples section for instructions.

Then, in your code, you will need to reference to the Phidgets Python library.

from Phidgets.PhidgetException import *
from Phidgets.Events.Events import *

Then, you will also have to add a reference to your particular Phidget. For example, you would include the following line for a PhidgetInterfaceKit:

from Phidgets.Devices.InterfaceKit import *

Please see the examples on how to add a reference to your particular Phidget.

The project now has access to the Phidget21 function calls and you are ready to begin coding.

The same teaching section which describes the examples also has further resources for programming your Phidget.

IDLE

Use Our Examples

Please start by downloading Phidgets Python Module. After extracting the file, you will find a directory named Phidgets. Copy this directory over to the <Python Install Directory>\Lib\site-packages directory.

Next, download the examples and unpack them into a foler. While these examples were written in Python 3.0, they are also compatible with Python and 2.5 and 2.6.

If you aren't sure what the software example for your device is called, check the software object listed in the Getting Started guide for your device. Now, open the example in the IDLE editor

The only thing left to do is to run the examples! Click on Run → Run Module

Once you have the Python examples running, we have a teaching section below to help you follow them.

Write Your Own Code

When you are building a project from scratch, or adding Phidget function calls to an existing project, you'll need to configure your environment to properly link the Phidget Python libraries. Please see the Use Our Examples section for instructions.

Then, in your code, you will need to reference to the Phidgets Python library.

from Phidgets.PhidgetException import *
from Phidgets.Events.Events import *

Then, you will also have to add a reference to your particular Phidget. For example, you would include the following line for a PhidgetInterfaceKit

from Phidgets.Devices.InterfaceKit import *

Please see the examples on how to add a reference to your particular Phidget.

The project now has access to the Phidget21 function calls and you are ready to begin coding.

The same teaching section which describes the examples also has further resources for programming your Phidget.

Eclipse with PyDev

Use Our Examples

1. Please start by downloading Phidgets Python Module. Extract the file, you will find a directory namedPhidgets. Copy this directory over to the <Python Install Directory>\Lib\site-packages directory.

2. Next, download the examples and unpack them into a foler. While these examples were written in Python 3.0, they are also compatible with Python and 2.5 and 2.6.3. If you aren't sure what the software example for your device is called, check the software object listed in the Getting Started guide for your device. You will need this example source code to be copied into your project later on.

3. Next, a new project will need to be created. Generate a new PyDev project with a descriptive name such as PhidgetTest

4. To import the example program into your project, create a new .py file in the project.

5. Copy and paste the contents of the example .py into the new file

6. The only thing left to do is to run the examples! Click on Run → Run Module

Once you have the Python examples running, we have a teaching section below to help you follow them.

Write Your Own Code

When you are building a project from scratch, or adding Phidget function calls to an existing project, you'll need to configure your environment to properly link the Phidget Python libraries. Please see the Use Our Examples section for instructions.

Then, in your code, you will need to include a reference to the Phidgets Python library.

from Phidgets.PhidgetException import *
from Phidgets.Events.Events import *

You will also have to add a reference to your particular Phidget. For example, you would include the following line for a PhidgetInterfaceKit

from Phidgets.Devices.InterfaceKit import *

Please see the examples on how to add a reference to your particular Phidget.

The project now has access to the Phidget21 function calls and you are ready to begin coding.

The same teaching section which describes the examples also has further resources for programming your Phidget.

Mac OS X

Python has excellent support on Mac OS X.

The first step in using Python on Mac is to install the Phidget libraries. Compile and install them as explained on the getting started guide for your device. Then, the OS - Mac OS X page also describes the different Phidget files, their installed locations, and their roles....

Linux

Python has support on Linux.

The first step in using Python on Linux is to install the Phidget libraries. Compile and install them as explained on the main Linux page. That Linux page also describes the different Phidget files, their installed locations, and their roles.

Follow The Examples

By following the instructions for your operating system and compiler above, you probably now have a working example and want to understand it better so you can change it to do what you want. This teaching section has resources for you to learn from the examples and write your own.

Next, comes our API information. These resources outline the Python Phidget functions:

• Python API (This is the complete set of functions you have available for all Phidgets)
• Device Specific APIs - The one for your Phidget can be found in its user guide.

To learn the details behind opening, configuring, using, and closing your Phidget, try the General Phidget Programming page. That page also describes using the Phidget in an event-driven manner and in a traditional manner, both of which are available in Python.

Example Flow

The Hello World example has this general structure so you can follow along. We also have an in-depth general introduction to writing Phidget code (like open, read data, etc), as well as the Python API for specific syntax:

// ----- Event and Other Functions ----- Create any Language-Specific Functions (exception handling) Create General Attach, Detach, and Error Handling Functions: On attach: Print Hello Message On detach: Print Goodbye Message		In Python, you can name these event functions whatever you like. You will then pass them as function pointers to the Phidget library below in the Main Code section. This hooks them into the actual events when they occur. In the example code, the event functions common to all Phidgets are called things like AttachHandler() and DetachHandler(), etc. Some event functions will be specific to each device, like when a tag is read on an RFID board, or when a sensor value changes on an Interface Kit. Other functions are given in the examples to show you more detail on using your Phidget. For example, DeviceInitialize() will show what needs to be set up for your Phidget before using it.
// ----- Main Code ----- Create Manager Software Object Hook Event Functions created above to Device Open Device Wait for 'Enter' key character input Handle on-going attach and detach events Print Hello and Goodbye messages Exit upon input Close Device Delete Device		Creating a Phidget software object in Python is specific to the Phidget. For a Phidget Spatial, for example, this would involve creating a Spatial object. The examples show how to do this and other API functions. The object provides device specific methods and properties which are available from the API for your specific Phidget.

Common Problems and Solutions/Workarounds

Here you can put various frequent problems and our recommended solutions.