add some quality of life methods

helpers.py

@@ -0,0 +1,73 @@
+import os
+from machine import Timer
+from board import TOTAL_DOTS
+
+def cat(filename, content=False):
+    """
+        Simulation of an OS's `cat`
+
+        `filename` is either a full or relative path
+        to a file to interact with.
+
+        When `content` is not provided, the contents
+        of the file will be printed out. When provided,
+        `content` is expected to be a string-like value
+        that will be written to `filename`
+    """
+    mode = 'r'
+    if content:
+        mode = 'w'
+    with open(filename, mode) as file:
+        if content:
+            file.write(content)
+        else:
+            print(''.join(file.readlines()))
+    file.close()
+
+def ls(path=''):
+    """
+        Prints out the contents of a directory.
+
+        When `path` is defined, it's expected to
+        be string containing the full or relative
+        path to a destination
+    """
+    print('ls %s' % path)
+    print('\n'.join(os.listdir()))
+
+class TimeLoop:
+    """
+        If you have an iterable (such as the BOARD),
+        you can use this class to run some code
+        asyncronously; which will still allow interactive
+        commands on the REPL.
+
+        Available methods:
+
+        `self.st(callback)` - Starts the timer running
+        and will run `callback` every self.timer_speed ms
+
+        `self.s()` - Completely stops the timer
+
+        Arguments at initialization:
+
+        `timer_speed` is required, and will determine
+        how often (in ms) `self.st(callback)` will be
+        triggered. (You can't call `callback` from `self`)
+
+        `timer_id` is optional, and should only be used
+        when you want to run multiple timers concurrently
+    """
+    def __init__(self, timer_speed, timer_id=-1):
+        self.timer = Timer(timer_id)
+        self.timer_speed = timer_speed
+
+    def st(self, callback):
+        self.timer.init(
+            period=self.timer_speed,
+            mode=Timer.PERIODIC,
+            callback=lambda self: callback()
+        )
+
+    def s(self):
+        self.timer.deinit()