vsolina
commented
1 year ago Glad you like it!
This shell is built on top of MicroPython, if MP can't do it - the shell can't to it either. Running binaries for a different architecture would require some kind of VirtualMachine which is mostly outside of ESP32's capabilities. (there are some toy examples of a VM on ESP32; e.g. the one used to run Linux on ESP32 - like you noticed - but that project was so poorly implemented and so useless that I decided not to release it in the end) In theory running xtensa (native) binaries would be possible in MicroPython - in the form of a native module - either by compiling and linking them into the MicroPython image before flashing it to the controller; OR as an external C module https://docs.micropython.org/en/latest/develop/natmod.html If you create a compiled external module, I don't see why you could not use it within the Shell, should be the same as including a regular .py module. (but I have not tested it) btw. I would love to see a public API for hosted, versioned MicroPython module compiler: I send one or more .c+.h files and get back a cross-compiled external .mpy module
Regarding the SWAP - I don't think MicroPython supports that. If it did support it I assume swapping pages in and out would significantly deteriorate performance. But I guess that will not be a priority any time soon, since external PSRAM is supported and enough for most embedded projects using ESP32.
p.s. sorry for the late response
Hey @vsolina @vsolinans!
Amazing, amazing project.
Is there a capability to execute any arbitrary xtensa or i486 binaries?
Possible to add SWAP ram?
Also, do you plan on releasing the Linux ESP32 project? I would do anything to play with that 😅
Love you work