ESP 32 Project

Basic Arithmetic Calculator in MicroPython for ESP32 and ESP8266

In this project, you will build a simpleBasic Arithmetic Calculator in MicroPython for ESP32 and ESP8266. The calculator will perform the four basic arithmetic operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, displaying the result of each operation. By working through this project, you will gain hands-on experience with arithmetic operators in MicroPython, making it an ideal starting point for beginners to understand fundamental mathematical operations in programming.

Data Types and Variable Table for Basic Arithmetic Calculator:

Data Type Variable Name Description Example Value
Integer/Float num1 The first number for arithmetic operations 5 or 5.0
Integer/Float num2 The second number for arithmetic operations 3 or 3.0
Float result Stores the result of the arithmetic operations 8.0 or 2.5

In this project, you’ll see how arithmetic operators interact with different data types such as integers and floats.

Syntax Table for Basic Arithmetic Calculator in MicroPython:

Operation Syntax Example
Addition result = num1 + num2 result = 5 + 3
Subtraction result = num1 – num2 result = 5 – 3
Multiplication result = num1 * num2 result = 5 * 3
Division result = num1 / num2 result = 5 / 2

Each of these operations will be performed by the calculator, and the result will be printed to the console.

Required Components:

  • ESP32 or ESP8266 (For running the MicroPython code)
  • Computer (For writing and uploading the MicroPython script)

Since this project focuses on arithmetic operations and does not involve external hardware, no additional components are needed.

Circuit Diagram:

(No circuit diagram is required as this project is purely programming-based.)

Circuit Connection Table:

(No circuit connections are needed for this project.)

Warnings:

  • Division by zero is not allowed and will result in a runtime error. Ensure that you handle this case properly in the code.

Installing MicroPython and Libraries (If Needed):

Install MicroPython on ESP32/ESP8266: If you haven’t installed MicroPython on your ESP32 or ESP8266, follow these steps:
esptool.py –chip esp32 erase_flash

esptool.py –chip esp32 write_flash -z 0x1000 esp32-20210902-v1.17.bin

  1. No Additional Libraries Needed: The built-in operators in MicroPython are enough to perform basic arithmetic operations.

Writing the MicroPython Code for Basic Arithmetic Calculator:

Here’s the code that performs addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division using input numbers:

# Function for basic arithmetic calculator

def basic_calculator(num1, num2):

    # Addition

    result = num1 + num2

    print(“Addition: “, num1, “+”, num2, “=”, result)

    

    # Subtraction

    result = num1 – num2

    print(“Subtraction: “, num1, “-“, num2, “=”, result)

    

    # Multiplication

    result = num1 * num2

    print(“Multiplication: “, num1, “*”, num2, “=”, result)

    

    # Division (handling division by zero)

    if num2 != 0:

        result = num1 / num2

        print(“Division: “, num1, “/”, num2, “=”, result)

    else:

        print(“Error: Division by zero is not allowed.”)

 

# Test the calculator with example values

num1 = float(input(“Enter the first number: “))

num2 = float(input(“Enter the second number: “))

basic_calculator(num1, num2)

 

Explanation of the Code:

  • The function basic_calculator(num1, num2) performs the four arithmetic operations using the input values num1 and num2.
  • The addition, subtraction, and multiplication results are printed directly.
  • Division includes a check to ensure that division by zero does not occur. If num2 is zero, an error message is displayed.
  • The input function allows the user to provide two numbers (which are converted to floats), making this calculator dynamic for various numbers.

Running the Code and Checking the Output:

  1. Upload the code to your ESP32/ESP8266 using Thonny or another MicroPython IDE.
  2. Enter the values for num1 and num2 when prompted.

Observe the results printed on the serial monitor, displaying the outcomes of the arithmetic operations:

Enter the first number: 5

Enter the second number: 3

Addition:  5.0 + 3.0 = 8.0

Subtraction:  5.0 – 3.0 = 2.0

Multiplication:  5.0 * 3.0 = 15.0

Division:  5.0 / 3.0 = 1.6666666666666667

Expanding the Project:

  • Add more operations: You can add other operations like modulus (%) or exponentiation (**) to extend the calculator.
  • Handle invalid input: Add input validation to ensure the user enters numeric values only.
  • Create an interactive loop: Allow the user to continuously enter numbers and perform operations until they choose to exit.

Common Problems and Solutions:

  1. Problem: Division by zero causes the program to crash.
    • Solution: The program already includes a check for division by zero, which ensures the user is notified when they attempt to divide by zero. Always add such checks in real-world programs.
  2. Problem: Invalid input results in an error.
    • Solution: You can wrap the input section in a try-except block to handle invalid input (such as non-numeric values). Use try: float(input()) to safely parse the input.
  3. Problem: Floating-point precision issues.
    • Solution: Floating-point arithmetic can sometimes lead to precision errors. Use round() if necessary to format the result to a specified number of decimal places.

FAQ:

Q: Can I extend the calculator to handle other mathematical operations?
A: Yes, you can easily add more operations like modulus (%) or exponentiation (**). Simply extend the basic_calculator function to include more operators.

Q: How do I handle invalid inputs (like text) in the calculator?
A: You can use try-except blocks to catch errors when non-numeric values are entered, ensuring the program doesn’t crash.

Q: Why does division by zero cause an error?
A: Division by zero is mathematically undefined, and MicroPython (like other programming languages) will raise an error when attempting this. Always check for division by zero before performing the division.

Conclusion:

In this project, you successfully built a Basic Arithmetic Calculator in MicroPython for ESP32 and ESP8266 that performs addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. By using arithmetic operators and handling division by zero, you gained hands-on experience with fundamental mathematical operations in MicroPython. This project can be expanded to include more complex calculations, providing a strong foundation for future programming projects.

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