Hi,
I'm trying to program the MSP430 Launchpad, except I don't really know which language is better suited for microcontroller programming: C or C++. I know nothing of either language, so I'd like to pick the best one to learn before starting.
Also, what is the difference between microcontroller programming and programming on the PC? How do you indicate the different pins and stuff?
If the manufacturer has an SDK (Software development kit) for the chip, you should grab it. This will likely include programs that burn code to the chip and simulate the chip on the PC... You will find these very helpful.
Most often the SDKs are C... C++ is overkill for the average small on memory chip capacity... but that's not universally true.
How the various pins are identified in your software is entiry up to the SDK...
EDIT... It appears to be a variant of C ... http://focus.ti.com/docs/toolsw/fold...S=Other+OT+ccs
You also asked about the difference between uC programming and PC programming... it's worlds apart. In a PC you do not generally have access to pins and hardware directly, it's all through driver functions. Plus a PC has a whack more capability and the software complexity to go with it...
Last edited by CommonTater; 08-17-2011 at 03:28 PM.
So you need a custom tutorial or something?
Before you jump into uController design, you should probably get somewhat comfortable with C first. Otherwise, chances are you will wind up just frustrating yourself.Originally Posted by PFactorial
Hmm....I wonder what that red thing in Tater's post is?
Warning: Some or all of my posted code may be non-standard and as such should not be used and in no case looked at.
I would grab a C textbook... spend the time, go through it page by page, compile the exercises, mess with them, change them... then when you understand what's going on move to page 2... by the time you finish the book you should have a pretty good grasp of what C is about.
The SDK, of course, comes with documentation, but it assumes some prior knowledge of C...
