Interactive GPIO

Let's take a look at how the GPIO pins can be controlled from Python's interactive interpreter. Enter the Python interpreter by running the python command without any arguments into a terminal (either in Cloud9 or in an SSH session), as shown in the following command:

root@beaglebone:/var/lib/cloud9# python
Python 2.7.3 (default, Mar 14 2014, 17:55:54)
[GCC 4.6.3] on linux2
Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information.
>>>

Next, import everything from the PyBBIO library:

>>> from bbio import *

Now let's light one of the BeagleBone's on-board LEDs. Use the digitalWrite() function to set the GPIO output attached to the USR3 LED to its high level:

>>> digitalWrite(USR3, HIGH)

Take a look at USER LEDS closest to the Ethernet connector on your BeagleBone, it should now be lit up, as shown in the following screenshot:

Go ahead and turn it off by setting it to a low state:

>>> digitalWrite(USR3, LOW)

Congratulations, you...