# An Interview with Tony DiCola

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2016-11-18
- Length: 1h 06m
- Episode: 323
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-11-18-an-interview-with-tony-dicola
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/323-an-interview-with-tony-dicola/

## Summary

Tony DiCola from Adafruit explains how MicroPython brings high-level, interpreted Python to memory-constrained microcontrollers like the ESP8266 and BBC micro:bit. He details the technical trade-offs, including the use of a virtual machine, the ability to mix C extensions for performance, and the benefits of an interactive REPL for rapid prototyping. DiCola highlights how this approach lowers the barrier to entry for beginners while offering advanced users the flexibility to handle IoT logic and hardware access on a single chip.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-11-18-an-interview-with-tony-dicola#t=0) Introduction: Tony DiCola and Adafruit
- [2:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-11-18-an-interview-with-tony-dicola#t=132) Python vs. MicroPython: Language and Memory
- [13:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-11-18-an-interview-with-tony-dicola#t=828) Supported Hardware: ESP8266, micro:bit, and SAMD21
- [24:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-11-18-an-interview-with-tony-dicola#t=1472) The REPL and Interactive Prototyping
- [30:27](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-11-18-an-interview-with-tony-dicola#t=1827) Mixing C and Python for Performance
- [39:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-11-18-an-interview-with-tony-dicola#t=2366) File Systems, .mpy Files, and Library Distribution
- [58:38](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-11-18-an-interview-with-tony-dicola#t=3518) Use Cases: Satellites, IoT, and Beginner Education

## Topics

- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Connected products & IoT](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/connected-products-and-iot)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Adafruit (company)
- MicroPython (other)
- ESP8266 (chip)
- BBC micro:bit (product)
- SAMD21 (chip)
- STM32 (chip)
- nRF51 (chip)
- CC3100 (chip)
- Damian George (other)
- Zephyr (other)
- Arduino (product)
- Raspberry Pi (product)
- Dropbox (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [295: In the Key of Lime (Repeat)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2022-04-07-295-in-the-key-of-lime-repeat) (Embedded.fm)
- [MicroPython with Matt Trentini](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2026-01-05-micropython-with-matt-trentini) (The Pragmatic Embedded Podcast)
- [295: In the Key of Lime](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-07-18-295-in-the-key-of-lime) (Embedded.fm)
- [181: Work on It for Ten Years](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-12-30-181-work-on-it-for-ten-years) (Embedded.fm)
- [456: Left Right Symmetry of a Banana](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2023-08-03-456-left-right-symmetry-of-a-banana) (Embedded.fm)

## Citing this page

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