This is a micropython library for MAX7219 + 8 x 7digit display boards.
I have tested it with an ESP8266 running micropython.
Requires a minimum of three spare GPIO lines to run SPI.
Example of use:
# Connections:
# SCK (CLK) -> GPIO4
# MOSI (DIN) -> GPIO2
# SS (CS) -> GPIO5
from machine import Pin, SPI
import max7219_8digit
spi = SPI(-1, baudrate=100000, polarity=1, phase=0, sck=Pin(4), mosi=Pin(2))
ss = Pin(5, Pin.OUT)
display = max7219_8digit.Display(spi, ss)
display.write_to_buffer('12345678')
display.display()