Installation
===================

This page guides you through the steps to collect and install everything you
need to start programming.

What do you need?
-----------------------------------------------------------

To get started, you'll need:

- A Windows 10 or Mac OS computer
- Internet access and administrator access

    This is required during the installation only. You will not need special
    access to write and run programs later on.

- A microSD card

    You'll need a card with a minimum capacity of 4GB and a maximum capacity
    of 32GB. This type of microSD card is also known as microSDHC. We recommend
    cards with Application Performance Class A1.

- A microSD card slot or card reader in your computer

    If your computer does not have a (micro)SD card slot, you can use an
    external USB (micro)SD card reader.

- A mini-USB cable, like the one included with your EV3 set

The typical configuration of this equipment is summarized
in :numref:`fig_overview`.

.. _fig_overview:

.. figure:: ../api/images/overview_label.png
   :width: 90 %
   :alt: overview
   :align: center

   Setup overview

Preparing your computer
-----------------------------------------------------------

You'll write your MicroPython programs using Visual Studio Code. Follow the
steps below to download, install, and configure this application:

1. Download `Visual Studio Code <https://code.visualstudio.com/Download>`_.
2. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the application.
3. Launch Visual Studio Code.
4. Open the extensions tab.
5. Install the EV3 MicroPython extension as shown in :numref:`fig_store`.

.. _fig_store:

.. figure:: ../api/images/store_label.png
    :alt: store
    :align: center

    Installing the extension from the Visual Studio Code marketplace

.. _prepsdcard:

Preparing the microSD card
-----------------------------------------------------------

To make it possible to run MicroPython programs on your EV3 Brick, you'll now
learn how to install the required tools on your microSD card.

If the microSD card contains files you want to keep, make sure to create a
backup of its contents first.
See :ref:`managing files on the EV3 <managefiles>` to learn how to backup your
previous MicroPython programs if necessary.

*This process erases everything on your microSD card, including any previous
MicroPython programs on it.*


To install the MicroPython tools on your microSD card:

.. include:: start_ev3_download.inc

2. Download and install a microSD card flashing tool
   such as `Etcher <https://www.balena.io/etcher/>`_.
3. Insert the microSD card into your computer or card reader.
4. Launch the flashing tool and follow the steps on your screen to install
   the file you have just downloaded. If you use Etcher, you can follow the
   instructions below, as shown in :numref:`fig_etcher`.

    a. Select the EV3 MicroPython microSD card image file you have just
       downloaded.
    b. Select your microSD card. Make sure that the device and size correspond
       to your microSD card.
    c. Start the flashing process. This may take several minutes. Do not remove
       the card until the flashing process is complete.

.. _fig_etcher:

.. figure:: ../api/images/etcher_label.png
   :width: 85 %
   :alt: etcher
   :align: center

   Using Etcher to flash the EV3 MicroPython microSD card image

Updating the microSD card
-----------------------------------------------------------

To update the microSD card, download a new image file using the link above and
flash it to the microSD card as described above. Be sure
to :ref:`back up any MicroPython programs you want to save <managefiles>`.

You do not need to erase the contents of the microSD card first. This is done
automatically when you flash the new image file.
