Python - API Bindings

The Python bindings allow you to control Bricks and Bricklets from your Python scripts. The ZIP file for the bindings contains:

  • in source/ the source code of the bindings (including a setup.py install script)
  • in examples/ the examples for every Brick and Bricklet

Requirements

  • Python 2.6 or newer, Python 3 is also supported

Installation

There are three ways to install the Python bindings: from our APT repository for Debian based Linux distributions or from PyPI or from source. But the bindings can also be used without installing them first.

From APT Repository

The bindings are available in our APT repository for Debian based Linux distributions (in this case you don't even need the ZIP file for the bindings). Follow the setup guide then install the bindings:

  • For Python 3:

    sudo apt install python3-tinkerforge
    
  • For Python 2:

    sudo apt install python-tinkerforge
    

Now you're ready to test an example. The Debian package does not include the examples. Those are available as part of the bindings ZIP file.

From PyPI

The bindings are available on the Python Package Index PyPI. You can install them with the Python Package Installer pip using the following command (in this case you don't even need the ZIP file for the bindings). Depending on your Python installation you might have to execute this with sudo or as administrator:

pip install tinkerforge

Now you're ready to test an example. The PyPI package does not include the examples. Those are available as part of the bindings ZIP file.

From Source

The source/ directory contains a setup.py install script that requires the setuptools for Python to be installed. To install the bindings just execute the following command in the source/ directory. Depending on your Python installation you might have to execute this with sudo or as administrator:

python setup.py install

Currently this installation method still works, but it is marked as deprecated. Use pip instead:

pip install .

Now you're ready to test an example.

Without Installation

You can use the bindings without having to install them. Just put the tinkerforge/ folder from source/ folder in the same folder as your Python script and Python will automatically find the bindings. The section about testing an example has more details about this.

Testing an Example

To test a Python example Brick Daemon and Brick Viewer have to be installed first. Brick Daemon acts as a proxy between the USB interface of the Bricks and the API bindings. Brick Viewer connects to Brick Daemon and helps to figure out basic information about the connected Bricks and Bricklets.

As an example let's test the configuration example for the Stepper Brick. For this copy the example_configuration.py file from the examples/brick/stepper/ folder into a new folder:

example_project/
 -> example_configuration.py

In the example HOST and PORT specify at which network address the Stepper Brick can be found. If it is connected locally to USB then localhost and 4223 is correct. The UID value has to be changed to the UID of the connected Stepper Brick, which you can figure out using Brick Viewer:

HOST = "localhost"
PORT = 4223
UID = "XXYYZZ" # Change XXYYZZ to the UID of your Stepper Brick

If you did install the bindings then you're now ready to test this example:

python example_configuration.py

If you did not install the bindings then you can also use the source of the bindings directly. Just copy the tinkerforge/ folder from the source/ folder to your example_project/ folder and Python will automatically find the bindings:

example_project/
 -> tinkerforge/
 -> example_configuration.py

Now you're ready to test this example:

python example_configuration.py

API Reference and Examples

Links to the API reference for the IP Connection, Bricks and Bricklets as well as the examples from the ZIP file of the bindings are listed in the following table. Further project descriptions can be found in the Kits section.

Name API Examples
Miscellaneous    
IP Connection API Examples
     
Bricks    
ESP32 API  
ESP32 Ethernet API  
HAT API Examples
HAT Zero API Examples
IMU 2.0 API Examples
Master API Examples
RED API Examples
Silent Stepper API Examples
     
Bricks (Discontinued)    
DC API Examples
IMU API Examples
Servo API Examples
Stepper API Examples
     
Bricklets    
Accelerometer 2.0 API Examples
Air Quality API Examples
Ambient Light 3.0 API Examples
Analog In 3.0 API Examples
Analog Out 3.0 API Examples
Barometer API Examples
Barometer 2.0 API Examples
CAN API Examples
CAN 2.0 API Examples
CO2 2.0 API Examples
Color API Examples
Color 2.0 API Examples
Compass API Examples
DC 2.0 API Examples
Distance IR API Examples
Distance IR 2.0 API Examples
Distance US 2.0 API Examples
DMX API Examples
Dual Button 2.0 API Examples
Dust Detector API Examples
E-Paper 296x128 API Examples
Energy Monitor API Examples
GPS 2.0 API Examples
GPS 3.0 API Examples
Hall Effect API Examples
Hall Effect 2.0 API Examples
Humidity 2.0 API Examples
IMU 3.0 API Examples
Industrial Analog Out 2.0 API Examples
Industrial Counter API Examples
Industrial Digital In 4 2.0 API Examples
Industrial Digital Out 4 API Examples
Industrial Digital Out 4 2.0 API Examples
Industrial Dual 0-20mA API Examples
Industrial Dual 0-20mA 2.0 API Examples
Industrial Dual AC In API  
Industrial Dual AC Relay API Examples
Industrial Dual Analog In 2.0 API Examples
Industrial Dual Relay API Examples
Industrial PTC API Examples
Industrial Quad Relay 2.0 API Examples
IO-16 API Examples
IO-16 2.0 API Examples
IO-4 2.0 API Examples
Isolator API Examples
Joystick API Examples
Joystick 2.0 API Examples
Laser Range Finder 2.0 API Examples
LCD 128x64 API Examples
LCD 20x4 API Examples
LED Strip 2.0 API Examples
Line API Examples
Linear Poti API Examples
Linear Poti 2.0 API Examples
Load Cell 2.0 API Examples
Motion Detector 2.0 API Examples
Motorized Linear Poti API Examples
Multi Touch API Examples
Multi Touch 2.0 API Examples
NFC API Examples
OLED 128x64 2.0 API Examples
OLED 64x48 API Examples
One Wire API Examples
Outdoor Weather API Examples
Particulate Matter API Examples
Performance DC API Examples
Piezo Speaker API Examples
Piezo Speaker 2.0 API Examples
Real-Time Clock API Examples
Real-Time Clock 2.0 API Examples
Remote Switch 2.0 API Examples
RGB LED 2.0 API Examples
RGB LED Button API Examples
Rotary Encoder 2.0 API Examples
Rotary Poti API Examples
Rotary Poti 2.0 API Examples
RS232 API Examples
RS232 2.0 API Examples
RS485 API Examples
Segment Display 4x7 API Examples
Segment Display 4x7 2.0 API Examples
Servo 2.0 API Examples
Silent Stepper 2.0 API Examples
Solid State Relay 2.0 API Examples
Sound Intensity API Examples
Sound Pressure Level API Examples
Temperature API Examples
Temperature 2.0 API Examples
Temperature IR 2.0 API Examples
Thermal Imaging API Examples
Thermocouple 2.0 API Examples
Tilt API Examples
UV Light 2.0 API Examples
Voltage/Current 2.0 API Examples
XMC1400 Breakout API Examples
     
Bricklets (Discontinued)    
Accelerometer API Examples
Ambient Light API Examples
Ambient Light 2.0 API Examples
Analog In API Examples
Analog In 2.0 API Examples
Analog Out API Examples
Analog Out 2.0 API Examples
CO2 API Examples
Current12 API Examples
Current25 API Examples
Distance US API Examples
Dual Button API Examples
Dual Relay API Examples
GPS API Examples
Humidity API Examples
Industrial Analog Out API Examples
Industrial Digital In 4 API Examples
Industrial Dual Analog In API Examples
Industrial Quad Relay API Examples
IO-4 API Examples
Laser Range Finder API Examples
LCD 16x2 API Examples
LED Strip API Examples
Load Cell API Examples
Moisture API Examples
Motion Detector API Examples
NFC/RFID API Examples
OLED 128x64 API Examples
Piezo Buzzer API Examples
PTC API Examples
PTC 2.0 API Examples
Remote Switch API Examples
RGB LED API Examples
RGB LED Matrix API  
Rotary Encoder API Examples
Solid State Relay API Examples
Temperature IR API Examples
Thermocouple API Examples
UV Light API Examples
Voltage API Examples
Voltage/Current API Examples