If you're looking for an easy-to-use development library that you can sink your teeth into then look no more. Homebrew developer Fraca7 recently rolled out the 29/06/08 release of PSP-Python, which features a versatile yet simple port of the Python programming language for the PlayStation Portable. More details in our full article.

Download: Python-PSP 29/06/08 release

Homebrew developer trevis dropped by our forums to release PyBlast v0.1. The object of the game is to blow up your opponent's tank before it blows you up. While this is simple in theory, it takes a certain amount of skill since you have to aim the gun while factoring in for wind and the amount of force you have to put into the shot.

Want to know more about the program? Check out the full article for more details on this application.

Download: PyBlast v0.1
Visit: QJ.Net PSP Development Forums

A few days after releasing PSP Stackless Python 2.5.1, carlosedp announces that a project page has been established for his currently ongoing developer's kit. The page provides for an organized means of keeping tabs on PSP Stackless Python, and currently carries v2.5.1. More details on carlosedp's site are available in the full article.

Visit: QJ.NET PSP Development Forum

After a few months of being silent, homebrew developer carlosedp finally announced a new build for the PlayStation Portable port of programming language Stackless Python, bumping the program up to version 2.5.1. The last version came out around five months ago.

Anyway, those who are fond of coding for their Sony handheld using Stackless Python should upgrade to the current version as several additions and bug fixes have been provided. The full changelog can be found via the "read more" link below.


Download: Stackless Python for PSP v2.5.1
Visit: QJ PSP Development Forum

Last month, PSP homebrew developer carlosedp created a PSP port of the Stackless Python 2.4.4 programming code. Now, in case you're one of the guys who picked up on this earlier announcement, and were looking forward to more news from the author, we'll be updating today with some good news.

carlosedp is announcing that he's updated PSP Stackless, with the latest version now carrying OGG, MP3 and SSL support:

• Time function returns correct date based on PSP Timezone
• OGG Vorbis support
• I have added a basic OGG Vorbis support for the port. The API is based on oggplayer from PSPMediaCenter. The problem is that i loads the entire file into memory and playbacks it from there. On MP3 this doesnt happens.. more below.
• The API for the OGG is very simple, a sample application follows at the end of the post.
• MP3 Support
• Its here! With the great help from Ghoti (thanks Rein) the MP3 streaming playback is now available transparently. What streaming means? Your application wont load the entire file into memory for playback. The application creates a buffer and loads small chunks from disk as needed. This leaves a lot of memory to the interpreter and you play with. In my tests, my interpreter have around 18Mb RAM available.
• SSL Support
• This is the latest addition. Since I cant test all its functionality, I need someone to test it for me. I made a small test where a import socket; hasattr(socket, "ssl")returned "True" so I assumed everything was fine.
  

Now, in case you're unsure about how to code using Stackless, the author is also letting the guys know that he's set up a tutorial guide over at his site, which was based on a similar tutorial created by Sakya. Just head on over to the read link, or carlosedp's thread over the the QJ.Net Forums for further information.

Download: PSP Stackless 2.4.4_1  
Visit: QJ's PSP Development Forum

Homebrew developer SappYoda dropped by QJ.net PSP development forums today and released a preview video for his WIP homebrew game, Tennis Battle. Just like what the title implies, this creation concerns the classic game of Pong. It's in 2D but the rather surreal background graphics is definitely worth your while.

Anyway, SappYoda mentioned that the final version of Tennis Battle will look much better than the one previewed in the video. The developer is also currently in the process of adding effects to the ball, weapons, as well as the level and character selection screen. So far, the following features will be included in the upcoming release:

• Four Unique bat colors with different balanced powers.
• An arcade mode that will let you fight against all bats including an evil boss called black pad.
• Surreal environments and engaging non-storyline provide a unique gaming experience that blurs the line between fighting and pong play.
• Powered by PSP-Python.

Visit: QJ PSP Development forum

Aside from Lua and C++, another programming language that's also been used for developing PSP homebrew is Python, originally created by Guido van Rossum in 1991. With regards to Python, we've just picked up word from programmer Carlos Eduardo that he's finished work on a PSP port of the Stackless Python programming code.

Stackless Python, for those asking, is described (by the stackless site) as "an enhanced version of the Python programming language. It allows programmers to reap the benefits of thread-based programming without the performance and complexity problems associated with conventional threads."

The Stackless Python programming code has been successfully used on major projects such as the Eve Online MMORPG.

Getting back on our subject matter, Mr. Eduardo said that he had been inspired by Fraca7's Python-PSP port of Python 2.4.3 - he used its repository, and merged the Stackless 2.4.4 tag to get this Stackless-PSP port we're looking at here.

Eduardo further noted that future updates for this first release include a possible port of Python and Stackless 2.5.1. That's all for the moment - we advise coders inquiring into how to get this release working to head on over to Mr. Eduardo's blog (source link) for further details.

Download: Stackless Python port for the PSP

A couple of days ago, homebrew developer StrmnNrmn updated all of us regarding his Nintendo 64 emulator project for the PSP, Daedalus. There was a bug all right, but it's not in the application itself. The coder reported that the Dynarec bug lies in the rom of video game Super Smash Bros.

Anyway, StrmnNrmn accommodated a number of his readers and supporters today by answering some of their questions posted on his blog. The questions were quite a handful so what we are going to do is post them side by side with StrmnNrmn's answers. Get your pen and paper ready because we're certain this is going to be useful for all of you.

Q: Is Python a good starting point? I've heard that it is.

A: I've never spent much time with Python, but I think it would be a good starting point for a beginner because it seems to have a very active community.

Q: Dynarec + fragment simulation (imprecise interrupt handling); Dynarec + fragment simulation (precise interrupt handling); I do not understand how those can be equivalent(and thus fragment execution equivalent). I am thinking 'imprecise' could change the timing of the interrupt handler. Correct or incorrect?

A: In the case of Daedalus, the timing of interrupts is generally very imprecise anyway - for instance I make the assumption that all instructions execute in 2 cycles which isn't particularly accurate.

Because of this firing the vbl interrupt a few hundred cycles early or late doesn't really affect the execution of most ROMs, so 'precise' and 'imprecise' interrupt handling are essentially equivalent for my purposes. The same assumption probably won't hold for all dynamic code generators/emulators though.

You make a good point about GDB though - it's definitely something I need to take another look at next time I'm trying to debug a problem like this which only reproduces on the PSP.

Click on the "Full Article" link for more answers from StrmnNrmn!

Warning: If you want to explore Portable Ops on your own without asking for any help, like in opening unique characters, STOP READING NOW.

We're pretty sure you're fully enjoying your fresh copies of Metal Gear Solid Portable Ops. But wait, there seems to be certain stuff that require passwords...Hmmm...what to do?

Oh, lookie here! There appears to be quite a list of--what are those? Passwords? Well, what do you know! You guys are certainly in luck today! Yep, those are most definitely codes for Portable Ops. You can also go to this link, which just happens to be the original one for majority, if not all, of the unique characters in the game.

Anyways, hope you find this useful!

• HUNTER-N is NULL
• LQ.N2 is PYTHON
• JUNKER is CHUNNINGHAM
• ERBE is GENE
• PK +ESP is URSULA (can't be got with ELISA at the same time)
• THE-L is ELISA (can't be got with URSULA at the same time)
• E.APPLE is EVA
• PM-EMS is PARAMEDIC
• DARPA-1 is SIGHT
• R.R.R. is OCELOT
• 1+2-3 is ZERO
• SATURNV is SOKOLOV
• IVN =RV is RAIKOV
• T.F-ACID is TELIKO
• MGA2VE is VENUS
• ! TRAUMER is GAKO

This is a port of the classic Minesweeper game from Microsoft. It has the following Features:

• Highscore
• Three "Levels"
• Hidden Feature

The Controls are simple and self explaining, to take a ingame Screenshot, press L+R+Start

The game is written in Python for the PSP. As in all Script languages, the source code is included.

This game was made to train my PSP Python knowledge. I would like to thank Olga for motivating me.

Download: [pyMine v1.0.0]

---

The article above was created by a user on MyQJ. As such, it may not be accurate and does not reflect the opinions of QJ.NET or its staff.