In order to work with the ftDuino32 (or any other MicroPython based device) you need a program running on your PC that will allow you to communicate with the device and to develop and run code on it. This type of program is called Integrated Development Environment or just IDE.
There are many MicroPython IDEs and the ftDuino32 will work with most of them. However, some IDEs are more complex to use while others may be too basic to be able to access all features of the ftDuino32. This page summarizes a few of them. Similar comparisons can e.g. be found here.
It is recommended to start with Thonny, µPIDE or MPY-Jama
.Thonny is probably the most common IDE used for MicroPython development.
Thonny doesn't specifically target MicroPython and it can be used with a local Python installation as well. To connect to the ftDuino32 go to Tools > Options and select the Interpreter tab. Select the MicroPython (ESP32) interpreter and click OK.
Further information on MicroPython with Thonny can e.g. be found here.
µPIDE is a lightweight IDE targeting beginners. It was designed for use with the ftDuino32 but will work with most other MicroPython devices as well.
µPIDE lets you work mainly on the target device and you can edit and run programs on ftDuino32 with just a few clicks.
Arduino Lab for MicroPython is a very simple IDE.
Arduino Lab for MicroPython has a limited ability to work with files on the device. It can be used to run simple Python projects on the ftDuino32 but is not suited for more complex projects.
MPY-Jama is a simple yet powerful IDE targetting specifically the ESP32 running MicroPython.
MPY-Jama can be used to edit and run files on the device. It additionally supports a plugin system that allows to check and configure various features of the device.
PyCharm is a powerful commercial Python IDE that offers a free community version.
PyCharm includes a plugin to connect to MicroPython devices. The MicroPython integration is rather basic and allows for basic interaction with the MicroPython device. PyCharm does not officially support the ESP32, but in ESP8266 mode it can be used with the ESP32 and the ftDuino32 as well.
