Mine's exactly the same, except it says "AI Cloud Inside" on it. I have no idea what the exact specs are.
I've been able to add a couple example scripts out of the default esp8266 folder, but I ran into trouble trying to upload code that referenced "D3" pin - I discovered I had to change my board type to Lolin D1 or NodeMCU because they remap the D pins. That lets things compile and starts the upload process, but everything freezes on the way. Over and over again.
I have to unplug the board and plug it back in every time I want to upload another script too.
I'm just very frustrated with this thing because I have no idea what the hell it is - I bought it in Mexico and it came with no info, and it's extremely inconsistent.
I've seen others having trouble with this board, but I've never found a full explanation. Is this even the correct spec sheet?
Sorry if I'm whining, but I'm new to Arduino - I searched around and got a little info here and there, but so far I've just had no explanation for this annoying, brand-less board. If anyone else who's used it and knows what it is, and what settings to use for uploading to it correctly can help, that'd be very much appreciated!
I think it would usually be used with Tools > Board > Generic ESP8266 Module selected. Rather than use the incorrect Board menu selection to make the code work, I would instead change the code to use the correct pin notation for your board. Certain ESP8266 boards like the WeMos boards use the Dn pin notation. That is simply done because the pin numbers written on the silkscreens of those boards do not match the ESP8266 GPIO numbers. Since that's not the case with the ESP-01, it makes no sense to use the Dn notation.
Sparkfun provides a document with a pinout:
I don't know which board selection they based the "Arduino" pin numbers in that document on. They didn't match to the common WeMos D1, NodeMCU, or WeMos D1 Mini pin mapping and I didn't bother searching more after that. I recommend just ignoring that part of the information since it's useless anyway. Just use the GPIO numbers in your code. When you want to control pin GPIO2 in your code, refer to it as pin 2.
Probably the main use of these modules is to act as a WiFi adapter running the stock AT firmware, connected a separate Arduino board, which is programmed with an Arduino sketch. For that usage, they are sufficient. For directly programming as you're doing, they're not well suited for development, prototyping, and learning because you only really have 1 pin to work with and some of the necessary components for a standalone board are missing. Rather than letting a $1.20 board get you frustrated and interfere with your learning process. I'd buy something like the WeMos D1 Mini that will be much easier and more fun to work with and stash that ESP-01 in your parts bin for when you have a specific project it's suitable for. You can get the official WeMos D1 Mini here:
You'll also find that the ESP8266 in general is not as beginner friendly as the AVR-based Arduino boards. The Arduino Nano, in combination with a solderless breadboard, is a very good board to learn with.
OK - thanks for the info. I was wanting to make it into an HTTP server that I could access publicly and control some things from there.
This D1 board seems to use Python for programming purposes - am I reading that correctly? Is there a similar option that'd use C++ like the arduino? Or does it not really cause too much of an issue?
It's not accurate to say that the "D1 board seems to use Python for programming purposes". You can use MicroPython or CircuitPython to program it if you like. You can use C++ too just the same as your ESP-01. Just plug the WeMos D1 Mini's USB cable into your computer, select Tools > Board > LOLIN(WEMOS) D1 R2 and mini and then select the port of the D1 mini from the Tools > Port menu. You can now upload Arduino sketches to the D1 Mini.
Note that you do need to use the Dn pin notation to use the pin numbers of the D1 Mini as written on the board in your Arduino code.