graphic interface programming ?

[stefan_trekkie]

Helloo .. I am new to the forum. I've watching Dave's videos from very long time.
Right to the question: Is there a graphic interface to write programs for simple micro controllers (8-16 bits).
What i mean is something like that people use for PLC programming, not the code itself.
Here is the story .. I work and have worked with industrial machines for more then a decade now. Often i need to upgrade some old machines, to smooth out the hardware mechanical process in them with some algorithm for better and smooth work.  And have used some PLCs and analog electronics as well. And pre programmed micro controllers too ..  But i can't in this moment program micro controller from scratch .. So, that is what bugging me, i hate to don't know 
I have some very basic skills in C++ and "Basic" language itself and can you use any language for MCs ? .. But i don't know how to connect what i am writing to the chip. I have knowledge how to program some micro controllers manually on the board. It may be stupid and easy but that is me 
I have used the searching option in the forum and found 1-2 interesting topics on the basics and reading now.. 

p.s. Sorry for my not so good English

[ebclr]

https://www.mikroe.com/necto

[jhpadjustable]

Is there a graphic interface to write programs for simple micro controllers (8-16 bits).

Of course, it depends on what sorts of things you want to do. Usually, people start with the Arduino boards, IDE, C++ libraries, and bootloader, which together provide a simple end-to-end system to get from your idea to the pins. As you advance, you can slide away from the Arduino comfort zone and begin to exercise advanced features of the chips, use other chips/boards, etc.

can you use any language for MCs

Theoretically, yes. Here's a ladder logic editor/compiler for PIC and AVR: LDmicro

[thm_w]

https://www.mikroe.com/necto

I think OP is talking about writing a program not creating a UI.

Anyway, Dave has mentioned Scratch a lot, might be too simplistic if you already know c++ though: https://maker.pro/arduino/tutorial/how-to-program-an-arduino-with-the-scratch-programming-language-using-mblock

[nfmax]

If you are able to use a 32 bit ARM-based single board computer like a Raspberry Pi or a Beaglebone, rather than a 'bare chip' 8 or 16 bit microcontroller, you should take a look at Node-RED https://nodered.org. This is a graphical flow-based programming environment, with a huge library of core and contributed 'nodes' for many applications, including communicating with PLCs, and driving GPIO pins directly. It was originally targeted at acting as 'glue' between other systems that do not natively talk to each other, but can do much more. If you can't find a node to do exactly what you want, you can use a 'function node' to effectively write your own (in JavaScript). It's free, open-source, and is now an OpenJS foundation project: it was originally developed by a couple of engineers at IBM, who are still the principal maintainers.

[ebclr]

For Arduino have something on this philosophy

https://www.visuino.com/

[emece67]

.

[stefan_trekkie]

Thank you all for the replays.

which together provide a simple end-to-end system to get from your idea to the pins

This is exactly what i ask for .. It seems that i lack the knowledge to tight everything together.

Dave has mentioned Scratch a lot, might be too simplistic if you already know c++

Knowing implies that i master it but i am not.. I have done some basic programs with it to use on the PC (calculators and stuffs or high power electric)
I am fluent in in the old timers "vintage Basic" .. The stupid thing is that is so comfi with that number lines and when i am trying to do something on C++ it's get confusing with complexity of the program.

Raspberry Pi or a Beaglebone, rather than a 'bare chip' 8 or 16 bit microcontroller,

I was hoping to be 'bere chip' because i can insert it in the PCB with another stuff and a socket to do the job .. But if i have space is OK

For Arduino have something on this philosophy
https://www.visuino.com/

This is .. Perfect

[rstofer]

Visuino looks quite interesting but if getting down to bare metal is a goal, Visuino is a leap in the wrong direction.

Arduino libraries are written in C++ but most user applications are written in C - that is, they don't use any of the advanced features of C++.  Nor is there any need for those features, whether you use the Arduino libraries or not.  Common, everyday, C is sufficient.

Embedded programming is a mix of hardware and code - both pieces need to be well understood.  The advantage to starting with Arduino is that there is a LOT of code on the Internet.  Everything that can possibly be done with the Arduino has already been done and it's all out on the net.

All of the Arduino library source code is included with the distribution.  You can spend days looking through the code to see how certain functions work.  The libraries ultimately get down to bare metal and simply provide a simplified user interface for the higher level code.

When you program the Arduino, you are a long way from bare metal but at least one variant of the UNO uses an interchangeable DIP package.  You can program the chip in the Arduino board and move it to your application board.  Or, you can just plug an entire Nano into your project.  I usually try to build projects by plugging in these 'stamp' format boards (like the Arduino Nano).  It saves me a lot of design and PCB work, especially the serial port and bootloader.

You won't get far without learning C and you still won't get far until you have written thousands and thousands of lines of code.  It simply won't come any faster for you than it did for anybody else.  You just have to jump in and start making mistakes.

Here is a video about using just the ATmega328 without the Arduino board.  Maybe it will give you some ideas: