Before you can start writing code that runs on ev3dev, you need to choose a programming language. Community members have built libraries that let you use features such as motors and sensors from your code. Choose the language you want from below and follow the link to the library's homepage get started.

https://github.com/ev3dev/ev3dev-lang-python

Python is a high-level, general-purpose, interpreted scripting language. It is great for beginners, while also powerful for experienced coders. If you are new to programming and unsure which language to choose, Python is a great choice!

If you are just starting programming ev3dev, take a look at ev3python.com by @ndward. The site is intended to help users of the LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 to begin using the ev3dev Python programming language to control their robot.

There are also some sample programs at https://github.com/ev3dev/ev3dev-lang-python-demo.

Warning! There is another Python library named python-ev3 created by @topikachu which is not the same as this one. When searching for documentation online, make sure that you are reading about ev3dev-lang-python.

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https://github.com/pybricks/pybricks-micropython/tree/v2

MicroPython is a stripped down variant of the Python programming language. This brings some advantages, like programs starting significantly faster than regular Python, but comes at the cost at not being fully compatible with code written for regular Python.

MicroPython works as a different Python interpreter, rather than as a library. It can be invoked by running it from the command line, for example: micropython -c "import sys; print(sys.version)" or micropython -c "from ev3dev2.sound import Sound; Sound().speak('hello world')". You may add this as the first line of your Python script to run it with MicroPython: #!/usr/bin/env micropython.

TIP: ev3dev-lang-python is also partially compatible with MicroPython.

Pybricks is a specialized version of MicroPython for LEGO MINDSTORMS and LEGO Powered Up smart hubs. Pybricks v2.0 is used by LEGO Education as their Python for EV3 solution and is the same version that is available in ev3dev-stretch.

You may run Pybricks from command line like this: brickrun -r -- pybricks-micropython -c "from pybricks.hubs import EV3Brick; EV3Brick().speaker.beep()". You may add this as the first line of your Python script, #!/usr/bin/env pybricks-micropython, and then run it from the brick's file browser to run it with Pybricks.

TIP: If you are into using Python's interactive mode when trying Pybricks, you can use brickrun -r -- pybricks-micropython, or its shortcut pybricks-repl.

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http://ev3dev-lang-java.github.io/

Java is a general-purpose computer programming language that is concurrent, class-based and object-oriented. In Java 8, the language added some functional features very interesting to learn.

The project has support for EV3 Sensors and Actuators. The project includes the support for LeJOS local navigation stack.

In this project, the Objects included in the different libraries follow the LeJOS Interfaces, not to be confused with another Java project based on ev3dev unified language binding for Java

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https://github.com/ev3go/ev3dev

Go is a compiled, statically-typed language created at Google. It aims to be simple and light while still providing modern language features. While it is a compiled language, it has its own built-in cross-compiler, which means that you don't need to spend time setting up special tooling like you do with most other compiled languages.

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https://github.com/ddemidov/ev3dev-lang-cpp

C++ is a low-level, compiled language which is highly performant while still providing modern language features. It is best for applications which require the fastest execution or interaction with existing C++ libraries.

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https://github.com/in4lio/ev3dev-c

C is a low-level, compiled language which is useful for interacting with other C-based code. It is very lightweight and often the most portable across platforms.

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https://github.com/maweki/ev3dev-prolog

Prolog is a logic programming language that is often used in the context of AI and planning. Prolog programs allow for a high level of abstraction and a mix of declarative and imperative programming.

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https://github.com/ev3dev/ev3devKit

Through GObject-introspection, this library can be used by languages including Vala and Genie, among many others. This is great for people who want to use higher-level syntax while still producing a performant application, or people who want a less error-prone API for C. The Brick Manager for ev3dev is written using this library.

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https://github.com/pixix4/ev3dev-lang-rust

Rust is a low-level, compiled language which is highly performant while still providing modern language features. It provides memory safety without using garbage collection and is easy to interact with existing C libraries.

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Some of the libraries above also implement interfaces for other languages. If you're looking for an alternative implementation for any reason, try out the options below.

https://github.com/in4lio/ev3dev-c

ev3dev-c also has wrappers for Python, Ruby and Perl.

https://github.com/ev3dev/ev3devKit

Ev3devKit also has a Python wrapper. You can find demos of using ev3devKit from Python here.

{% include /style/begin-panel.html type="danger" heading="Listings below this point are for libraries that are not up-to-date, have been abandoned, or are unfinished." %}

Use them with caution, as some functionality will likely be broken. If you see a library below that you'd like to see in a better state, consider contributing to it to get it updated and ready to use.

{% include /style/end-panel.html %}

https://github.com/wasabifan/ev3dev-lang-js

https://github.com/pgrudzien12/ev3dev-lang-csharp

https://github.com/mob41/ev3dev-lang-java

https://github.com/ev3dev/ev3dev-lang/tree/R-legacy/R

https://github.com/rhempel/ev3dev-lang-lua

https://github.com/noanoa07/ev3dev_ruby

https://github.com/annapawlicka/clj-ev3dev

https://github.com/topikachu/python-ev3

https://github.com/ldmberman/GoEV3

https://github.com/theZiz/ev3c