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References: Hello World: Thonny, MicroPython, and Your First GPIO Program

  1. MicroPython - Wikipedia - Overview of the compact Python 3 reimplementation this course runs on the Pico 2, covering its history, supported hardware, and REPL, directly grounding the chapter's MicroPython vs CPython comparison.

  2. General-purpose input/output - Wikipedia - Explains how GPIO pins are configured in software as digital input or output, the exact mechanism behind the Pin("LED", Pin.OUT) call this chapter uses to blink the onboard LED.

  3. Read–eval–print loop - Wikipedia - Defines the read-evaluate-print interactive programming loop, the general computer-science concept behind the Thonny Shell's >>> prompt this chapter uses to test commands before saving them to a script.

  4. Get Started with MicroPython on Raspberry Pi Pico (2nd Edition) - Gareth Halfacree and Ben Everard - Raspberry Pi Press - The official Raspberry Pi guide credited for its fully-photographed, step-by-step approach linking Thonny's REPL directly to first GPIO wiring, the same beginner-friendly sequence this chapter follows from connection to blink.

  5. Programming with MicroPython: Embedded Programming with Microcontrollers and Python - Nicholas H. Tollervey - O'Reilly Media - Tollervey, a core MicroPython contributor, is credited for the clearest account of why MicroPython re-implements rather than merely trims CPython, framing the distinction this chapter's comparison table is built on.

  6. MicroPython RP2 Quick Reference - MicroPython Documentation - Official hardware API reference for the Pico's machine.Pin class and other RP2040/RP2350 peripherals, documenting the exact constructor and methods this chapter's blink program calls.

  7. MicroPython on Microcontrollers - Raspberry Pi Documentation - Official Raspberry Pi page explaining what MicroPython is and how it runs directly on Pico hardware, with links to installation and quick-start guides for the exact board this chapter sets up.

  8. Thonny - Thonny.org - Official home page of the beginner-focused Python IDE used throughout this chapter, describing its built-in interpreter, step-through debugging, and variable inspection features that make it well suited to first-time microcontroller programmers.

  9. machine.Pin – MicroPython Library Reference - MicroPython Documentation - Full reference for the Pin class, covering constructor arguments, modes, and methods like value(), on(), off(), and toggle() that this chapter's LED-blinking code depends on directly.

  10. The REPL - MicroPython Documentation - Documents MicroPython's interactive REPL features, including auto-indent, paste mode, and the Ctrl-C keyboard interrupt this chapter uses to stop a running infinite loop and return control to the prompt.