Many makers balk at the prospect of learning C. I can't blame them. Even with extensive comments, C programs written by others can be difficult to wrap one's head around.
Micropython is a maker-friendly option that may work well depending on one's choice of microcontroller.
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Getting Started With MicroPython on the ESP8266:
https://www.instructables.com/id/Getting-Started-With-MicroPython-on-the-ESP8266/
