Neopixel blades are very easy to construct as well. You wouldn't have to do any programming, unless of course you wanted to come up with your own effects, utilizing the full extant of the Neopixel technology. Using Neopixel is like having 40 blades in one, as you can dial up any color and effects you want. Some boards like the Igniter or Prizm or DIYino allow you to change colors on the fly and the board does all the work. It will even save the color for you the next time you turn it on.
For a segmented component string blade, you get one color and FOC if you choose that, and you have to change out the blade to have another color.
If you need a segmented string blade (for instance with a DIYino or CF LS board) let me know I can make it for you.