Actions
Engagement
  • Author Author: tariq.ahmad
  • Date Created: Date Created
  • Last Updated Last Updated:
  • Views 4059 views
  • Likes 2 likes
  • Comments 74 comments
Related
Recommended

Webinar Poll:  What Programming Language Do You Like to Use?

Sign up for our Upcoming Webinar and Zero to Hero Workshop Series on PYNQ. 

 

PYNQ is an open source project started by Xilinx, which fuses the productivity of Python with the acceleration provided by programmable logic within the Zynq / Zynq MPSoC. Until recently, a programmable logic solution required advanced digital design skills which limited its accessibility to software developers.  PYNQ is a game-changer because it enables the performance of programmable logic provided by Xilinx heterogeneous SoCs to be leveraged using Python, without the need to learn the digital design skills.  Python is one of the most popular programming languages in the world, and a language that is very familiar to Pi enthusiasts.   Its also the second most popular language on the community, according to the poll below, trailing the C programming language and just ahead of the Arduino programming environment.

 

Python Productivity for Zynq, or PYNQ, has the ability to present programmable logic circuits as hardware libraries called overlays. These overlays are analogous to software libraries. A software engineer can select the overlay that best matches their application. The overlay can be accessed through an application programming interface (API). Using existing community overlays, this course will examine how a beginner can experiment with neural networks using PYNQ on Ultra96. The course will then point you to the best resources to begin your own PYNQ journey!

 

On April 8th, 2020 at 11 AM CT //  4 PM GMT: Join us as to learn more about Using Python Overlays to Experiment with Neural Networks from Fred Kellerman and Bryan Fletcher from Avnet:

 

Join us for a hands-on workshop with Adam Taylor, author of the MicroZed Chronicles, who will take you from Zero to Hero with using the PYNQ-Z2 board.  Over the course of three sessions, you'll learn everything you need to know to get started and build an embedded vision application.  No experience required.

 

What You'll Need to Participate:

 

This workshop combines 3 build-along workshops with Adam Taylor with "homework" assignments to do in between each session.   This gives you a chance to apply what you learned during the workshop while preparing you the next session.  Along the way you can earn badges for participation and a prize for the best finished project after the last session. You'll need the following tools to get started:

 

 

Win a $200 Gift Card:

 

In-between sessions, blog about your learning experience to win badges, free swag, and a chance to win one of three $200 Gift Card for completing your own embedded vision application.  To qualify you will need to do the following:

 

  • Attend all 3 sessions with Adam Taylor
  • Complete the build yourself
  • Create a project showing a unique application on top of the end workshop build

 

Session 1:

 

On May 5th, 2020 at 11 AM CT //  4 PM GMT: Join us for Part 1 of the PYNQ-Z2 Workshop: Getting Started with PYNQ:

 

Session 2:

 

On May 19th, 2020 at 11 AM CT //  4 PM GMT: Join us for Part 2 of the PYNQ-Z2 Workshop: Getting Up and Running with PYNQ:

 

Session 3:

 

On June 2nd, 2020 at 11 AM CT //  4 PM GMT: Join us for Part 2 of the PYNQ-Z2 Workshop: Getting Up and Running with PYNQ:

Parents

  • I voted C# because that's what I mainly use professionally. Obviously it's not suited to embedded development where it has to be C for me.

     

      Have you tried C# (or even VB.NET)? I remember moving from VB to C# back in 2000 when .NET was in beta and it seemed a great improvement even then.

  • in reply to Fred27

    When MS switched to VB.NET I couldn't afford it.

    VB.NET is actually increasing in popularity right now - I think it just moved ahead of JAVASCRIPT in popularity.

    So I have tried VB.NET and it is fine, but ....

    When MS made it hard to run VB under Windows, VB was the most popular language in the world - almost all un-trained programmers used it and that popularity led to a community where you could find any solution or OCX you wanted on the net.

    When the VB got dumped, that community fragmented; some drifted to C, some to C++, some to VB.NET, some to C#, some to JAVA, some just stopped programming. That community never re-coalesced around a single language. There is a somewhat similar community around arduino with just as many detractors who don't feel it is a real engineering tool despite its popularity, but arduino "C++" hasn't been able to graduate to letting people program for their main computer, whether it is a PC, Macbook, tablet or phone. I guess Python is starting to take off, but it is still a long way from what VB was to the hobby programming market.

  • in reply to dougw

    It would be awesome if VB.Net made a comeback.  It's still coupled to Office products like Excel and Word and allow a sharp cat to make some very smart spreadsheets.

     

    I recently found Process IDE for PC programming.  If I ever meet an Arduino person who wishes they could program for Windows, that's where I'll be pointing them.  I was stunned I had heard of it before - the Arduino IDE spawned off of it.

     

    See ya',

    Sean

  • in reply to dougw

    I think when Microsoft created their .NET framework and shoved VB under that umbrella it lost its shine and allure and was seen as a 2nd class citizen to the likes of C# etc. Maybe people are now realising that VB was a real diamond after all.

     

    https://dotnet.microsoft.com/learn/dotnet/what-is-dotnet-framework

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.NET_Framework

  • in reply to dougw

    ...VB.NET I couldn't afford it.

    I thought VB.Net was available for free under the Community versions of Visual Basic, and you only need to pay fro the Professional or Enterprise versions.

     

    I like .NET and use it mainly with C#. I like the whole setup where you get prompts and help to develop the code. The C# allows a very quick way to get an idea up and running with a decent GUI as well as being able to wrap the whole project up to publish to someone as a single installer.  Visual Studio is also one of the main reasons for me not scrubbing Windows 10 off my laptop - however when I sit there while my laptop undertakes its own 'important' processes, completely oblivious to my requests and keyboard interaction, I still sometimes question that decision image

  • in reply to 14rhb

    I think that is true now and might explain its increasing popularity.

  • in reply to Sean_Miller

    Sadly I think it may struggle to make that comeback; although we know how easy VB code was to write and read so a comeback would be welcome IMO. The main reason is that the functionality of programs has moved on with the likes of running on multiple OS, multithreading, using GPU, big data statistics and machine learning/artificial intelligence. Many of those areas are strongly supported now with Python followers writing libraries. Schools, colleges and University's use Python, those students write blogs about projects using Python....and soon VB starts to become very dated and lost. Whilst VB could do the same there would be a huge catch up in bringing those libraries up to the capability that Python (and others) can achieve.

     

    Personally I dislike Python. I don't like the construct format with indents. I don't like the way variables are casually defined. But....I've decided to jump onboard as libraries like NumPy, Tensorflow and MatPlotLib seem very capable. I was exactly the same trying to resist C compilers for MCU - surely assembly was much better ? image

  • in reply to 14rhb

    I agree that VB has gone for a reason. The world moved on.

  • in reply to dougw

    Even Microsoft has recognised VB's popularity... so according to this post from this time last year, it will support but not evolve: https://devblogs.microsoft.com/vbteam/visual-basic-support-planned-for-net-5-0/

  • in reply to Jan Cumps

    Besides Python, which I've tried to avoid but find it nearly impossible to do so of late (e.g. RP2040), could it be that the world discovers Rust or Dart. Hard to decide... https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/rust-vs-dart-which-is-more-likely-to-replace-cpp/

Comment Children