Thread: microcontroller programming???

  1. #1
    the Corvetter
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    microcontroller programming???

    What do you think about it? Is is much harder (in C) than writing applications? I would think so, because you are programming a chip.

  2. #2
    Mayor of Awesometown Govtcheez's Avatar
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    No, it's not really harder - what do you think you're really doing when you write a normal C prog?

  3. #3
    the Corvetter
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    > what do you think you're really doing when you write a normal C prog?

    Um...writing something that is useful to you or another. I don't think I really understand this question.

  4. #4
    It's full of stars adrianxw's Avatar
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    I think he means that when you write some code for your pc you are programming a chip.

    Programming for a microcontroller is not hard if you have a current chip and a good development tool. These days, the tools tend to come out with the chips. A few years ago this was not the case, the good tools came out at about the time the target chip became obsolete, and we all moved to the next great chip.

    Today, many of the small microcontrollers are really quite sophisticated, as are the IDE's. You can target an SH3 for example with Microsofts Windows CE Platform builder and embedded VC++.
    Wave upon wave of demented avengers march cheerfully out of obscurity unto the dream.

  5. #5
    the Corvetter
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    Thanks. I'm really thinking about doing this. Sounds quite interesting and more core. I LOVE C.

  6. #6
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    Windows programming in C is considered different...very different. Is this anything like microcontroller programming? You know, the real extreme difference. Thanks.

    --Garfield

  7. #7
    It's full of stars adrianxw's Avatar
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    Very different from what?

    BTW it's "Serengeti".
    Wave upon wave of demented avengers march cheerfully out of obscurity unto the dream.

  8. #8
    the Corvetter
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    > Very different from what?
    What I mean, is it very different from the core of the language? Like, console and DOS programming. You use pointers, variables, loops, etc. Is it anything like this?

    > BTW it's "Serengeti".
    Thanks!

    --Garfield

  9. #9
    Mayor of Awesometown Govtcheez's Avatar
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    A lot of that depends on what you're writing for - some chips'll have their own variants of C you're expected to use - For example, at work I programmed in Dynamic C for a micro I was working on. It was the same as normal C, except you have some different functions to play with. The basic stuff - pointers, loops, etc. - are all there, and will be with most languages.

  10. #10
    the Corvetter
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    But, Govt, I don't really understand how it could be the same. After all, aren't you controlling a little more when you program the microcontroller? Maybe stuff like electricity? I'm not sure, though. Would you recommend it? It sounds fun and challenging. Thanks.

    --Garfield

  11. #11
    Mayor of Awesometown Govtcheez's Avatar
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    Well, of course I recommend it - even if you don't have a particular use for it, it's still one more thing you know. It is still entirely possible to be the same - the micro I programmed couldn't change the voltage, just poll it. Even if it could, it would likely only be 1 function call or something.

  12. #12
    the Corvetter
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    > Well, of course I recommend it
    Govt, you really make me want to try this out. Sounds great! Just out of curiousity, what are the costs of

    -the chip
    -the emulator
    -the software (or could I use VC++6)

    Is there anything else (besides a book to teach myself)? Thanks.

    --Garfield

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