let's try using micropython!

to get started:

    1 flash ESP with Micropython firmware
    2 attach to the serial monitor with a terminal emulator
    3 write a program
        a using the REPL
        b using the webREPL
        c uploading a file

links/see also
    https://blog.alifeee.co.uk/notes/testing-micropython-on-an-esp-8266-d1-mini/
    https://docs.micropython.org/en/latest/
    quickref for ESP
      https://docs.micropython.org/en/latest/esp8266/quickref.html
    install guide for ESP
      https://docs.micropython.org/en/latest/esp8266/tutorial/intro.html
    Thonny
      https://thonny.org/

1 flash ESP with Micropython firmware
EITHER
    https://docs.micropython.org/en/latest/esp8266/tutorial/intro.html#intro
    download from https://micropython.org/download/ESP8266_GENERIC/
    run something like (see docs above)
    esptool.py --port /dev/ttyUSB0 erase_flash
    esptool.py --port /dev/ttyUSB0 --baud 460800 write_flash --flash_size=detect 0 esp8266-20170108-v1.8.7.bin
OR
    use Thonny https://thonny.org/
    https://randomnerdtutorials.com/getting-started-thonny-micropython-python-ide-esp32-esp8266/

2 attach to the serial monitor with a terminal emulator 
for linux you could use https://github.com/yshui/picom
    picocom /dev/ttyUSB0 -b115200
for windows/etc, you can search the web for "terminal emulator" or use something like
    https://www.putty.org/
OR
    use Thonny https://thonny.org/
    https://randomnerdtutorials.com/getting-started-thonny-micropython-python-ide-esp32-esp8266/

3 write a program
    a. using the REPL

turn on/off the onboard LED
>>> from machine import Pin
>>> p = Pin(2, Pin.OUT)
>>> p.off()
>>> p.on()

turn on the WiFi and connect to a network
>>> import network
>>> wlan = network.WLAN(network.WLAN.IF_STA)
>>> wlan.active(True)
>>> wlan.scan()
>>> wlan.isconnected()
>>> # wait a
>>> wlan.connect("SHHWifi", "TheWoodsAreColdDarkAndDeep") bit
>>> wlan.isconnected()
>>> wlan.status() # see list of statuses on https://docs.micropython.org/en/latest/library/network.WLAN.html
>>> wlan.config("ssid") # check SSID
>>> # or use function from https://docs.micropython.org/en/latest/esp8266/quickref.html#networking

webrepl
>>> import webrepl_setup
>>> print(f"http://{wlan.ifconfig()[0]}:8266")

    c. uploading a file

use Thonny to save a file called "main.py", which will run every time the microcontroller resets.

potential projects:
- flash LED
- turn on webserial
- ESP which hosts hotspot to receive WiFi credentials https://github.com/simonprickett/phewap
- make push button do something
- connect to environment monitor