blink_led.py

import RPi.GPIO as GPIO
import time

# set the board mode then print it
def set_board(bcm_mode):
	if bcm_mode:
		# goes by label of the pin
		GPIO.setmode(GPIO.BCM)
		print('using BCM mode')
	else:
		# goes by left-to-right, top-to-bottom numbering
		GPIO.setmode(GPIO.BOARD)
		print('using BOARD mode')
	return

# the function that does the blinking
def blink(pin, blinks):
	print ('blinking pin ' + str(pin))
	for i in range(0, blinks):
		print('blink ' + str(i + 1))
		# GPIO.output(pin, GPIO.HIGH)
		GPIO.output(pin, True)
		time.sleep(1)
		# GPIO.output(pin, GPIO.LOW)
		GPIO.output(pin, False)
		time.sleep(1)
	return

# setup GPIO
set_board(False)
pin_number = 37
GPIO.setup(pin_number, GPIO.OUT)
GPIO.output(pin_number, False)

# blink the led
blink(pin_number, 5)

GPIO.cleanup()