Feature request: Mirror Directories in CircuitPython mode

[dmopalmer]

Keeping the only copy of your python code on the microcontroller board and editing it in place is risky and poor programming practice.

• What if your board crashes hard and has to be reflashed?
• What if you make changes you didn't want to make?
• What if you want to use the board for something else, temporarily?
• What if your robot rampages through the city and is destroyed by a meddling superhero?
• What if you want your code under version control?

Yes, you can manually copy the code off the board onto your computer's drive. But 'manual' is another word for 'doesn't happen'.

I suggest that mu could use a mirror directory on the user's computer. This is maintained in sync with the board. If you change something in the editor, it changes in both places. If you plug in a different board, then it syncs to a different directory--or lets you sync that board to the other directory to make a clone. If you want to change projects, it makes sure the computer directory is in sync with the board's old files; then replaces the files from the new project's directory.

If the computer is regularly backed up (e.g. Time Machine) the board's software is likewise protected, and old versions can be recovered. If the user is on github, then that is available.

(Making git easy to use for Mu's target audience is going to be beyond the scope of what's reasonable, but little steps.)

Just a suggestion.