Electronics > Beginners

Understanding the reason of the Arduino

(1/3) > >>

Strube09:
Okay,

I have seen a lot of talk about the Arduino boards and I just have to ask why? Is it simply because of the bootloader and the PCBA itself?

I can through a microcontroller onto a PCBA with some headers and call it a day if people will think it is great. Shoot, I can through in a few dip switched and a regulator too if you would like!

If it is the bootloader, you can download free versions of bootloaders all over the place... is that really it, programming of the controller?

Or is it the interface that allows you to program in "Like C or C++". I would rather program without the "easy factor" to keep from bad habits forming when learning programming and aim and learning to keep code portable.

Can someone please explain the infatuation with this stupid (my opinion) little board?

Thanks

logictom:
I think it's purely the simplicity factor. You can buy it and you have everything you need to get started that 'works out box'.
The environment has many examples and is simple to use, no need to download this and that to setup compilers and get the thing working.
Usually with a micro you will have to sift through a datasheet to work out what registers you need to enable/disable to get the thing running then for each of the peripherals. I think this is the stuff that people get wrong or put's them off.

dmlandrum:
You can use it as a development board, then build this $8-$10 stripped down version for your actual project. Then all you need to do is buy another ATMega chip for your Arduino "programmer". (And before you criticize this guy's board layout, read the part where he says he did it this way deliberately to make it easier to illustrate what he's doing.)

alm:
IMO Arduino is especially suited for people without strong EE/programming background, eg. for artists trying to create something fun. It will help you get something working very fast. Especially if you don't require compatibility with shields, you can just integrate an ATmega with some basic components in your own design, no need for a full Arduino (clone).

EEVblog:
As others have said, it's just the simplicity of it.
You don't need a programmer, just a USB cable.
You don't need to know anything about Atmel AVR chips or how to set up config registers and timers etc just to flash a LED.
It was originally designed for artists who don't know anything about micros or electronics.

Even very experienced guy use it and other similar boards, because sometimes you just don't have the few extra minutes or hours it takes to muck around getting a raw blank chip working with an AVR or PIC programmer, and building it all up etc

For example, if I wanted to quickly test a new LCD I'd do it on the Arduino instead of breadboarding a PIC, it's just much easier.

Dave.

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page