MicroPython was originally written for an ARM chip. Since then it's been ported to a number of other systems. What I do know is that it requires a fairly "big" micro. I have a particular interest in PIC chips, but would be happy with any version where I could compile and load the program on a circuit that I'm capable of building myself.
I have tried downloading and compiling large C programs in the past, and it's one of those things where if it works, great, but if the basic "make" comes back with an error for some reason, then I'm kinda lost. My experience with C programming has tended to be with programs numbering no more than a few hundred lines, that all fit in one file and didn't need any kind of "interesting" build process.
Wow, talk about a weird set of customer requirements. ;-)
These micro's have a fair amount of RAM, and the C compilers support memory management, e.g., basics such as malloc() and free(). I suppose somebody could even implement garbage collection.
I think MicroPython would be the best fit for your requirements, both because of the REPL, which really simplifies programming, and because the simplicity of python(i heard of quite a few guys that couldn't manage c , but we're fine with python).
On the other hand, why not the arduino ? there's no build process , plenty of documentation and libraries, and a reasonable chance you'll find some design close to yours.
So far I'm leaning towards the MicroPython. In fact, Python is my language of choice du jour, but I enjoy keeping my eye out for other possibilities.
At the same time, I've been using Arduino, and also have a fair amount of experience programming Microchip's MCU's in C. I'm actually fine with C, but not so good at wrapping my head around large programs that other people have written. This is probably because I've always been a lone wolf programmer.
The reasons why I want an interpreter on a micro is for some strictly hobby projects that require programmability on board. I started planning an absurd DIY pocket calculator, and actually ggot as far as writing my own parser and expression evaluator in C. But a programmable calculator that uses Python or even Lisp would be a fun novelty.
I have tried downloading and compiling large C programs in the past, and it's one of those things where if it works, great, but if the basic "make" comes back with an error for some reason, then I'm kinda lost. My experience with C programming has tended to be with programs numbering no more than a few hundred lines, that all fit in one file and didn't need any kind of "interesting" build process.
Wow, talk about a weird set of customer requirements. ;-)
These micro's have a fair amount of RAM, and the C compilers support memory management, e.g., basics such as malloc() and free(). I suppose somebody could even implement garbage collection.