Python code to control WS2801 and similar SPI interface addressable RGB LED strips on a Raspberry Pi & BeagleBone Black.
To install the library from source (recommended) run the following commands on a Raspberry Pi or other Debian-based OS system:
sudo apt-get install git build-essential python-dev
cd ~
git clone https://github.com/adafruit/Adafruit_Python_WS2801.git
cd Adafruit_Python_WS2801
sudo python setup.py install
Alternatively you can install from pip with:
sudo pip install adafruit-ws2801
Note that the pip install method won't install the example code.
The library (and the sample code) use the Broadcom BCM GPIO pin numbering scheme, rather than the physical pin numbering scheme. The Adafruit T-Cobbler breakout board, for example, uses the BCM scheme. See https://pinout.xyz for a quick-reference image.