A selection of books on programming microcontrollers

A selection of books on programming microcontrollers

AVR Programming

Languages

For AVR microcontrollers have different programming languages, but perhaps the most relevant is the assembler and C, since in these languages ​​in the best extent has all the necessary features for managing hardware microcontrollers.

Assembler - a low-level programming language that uses direct instruction set microcontroller. Creating a program in that language requires a good knowledge of system commands programmed chip and sufficient time to develop the program. Assembler C loses in speed and ease of programming, but has significant advantages in the resulting executable code, and subsequently the rate of implementation.

C allows you to create applications with much more comfort, giving the developer the benefits high-level language. It should again be noted that the architecture and system commands AVR created with the direct participation of the C language compiler design and it takes into account the peculiarities of the language. Compiling the source code, written in C, is quick and gives a compact, efficient code.

The main advantages of Assembler to C: high rate of development programs; versatility that requires a thorough study of architecture microcontroller; the best documented and readability of the algorithm; availability of library functions; support floating point.

In C language programming in harmony with the properties of low high-level language. Ability nyzkourovnevoho programming makes it easy to operate the hardware directly, and the properties of high-level languages ​​allow you to create easy to read and modified code. In addition, almost all compilers C are able to use assembler inserts for writing critical execution time and resources occupied areas of the program.

In short, C - the most convenient language for beginners to get acquainted with microcontrollers AVR, and for serious developers.

Compilers

Atmel AVR Studio to convert source code file firmware microcontroller used compilers.

The company delivers powerful Atmel assembler compiler, which is a development environment AVR Studio, which works under Windows. Along with the compiler, IDE includes a debugger and emulator. AVR Studio is free and available at Atmel.

Currently, presented a lot of C Compiler for AVR. The most powerful of them is firm compiler IAR Systems. It was her staff in mid 90s participated in the development of teams AVR. IAR C Compiler has opportunities for code optimization and comes as part of an integrated development environment IAR Embedded Workbench (EWB), which includes the compiler assembler, lynker, project manager and libraries, and debugger. The full version of the package price is 2.820 EUR.

The firm issued Image Craft C compiler that was quite well known. Image Craft C Compiler has a good level of code optimization and relatively low price ($ 199 to $ 749 depending on the version).

Equally popularity gained Code Vision AVR C Compiler, the price of the full version of this compiler is low and is 150 EUR. Compiler comes with an integrated development environment, which, in addition to the standard features included a rather interesting feature - CodeWizardAVR Automatic Program Generator. The presence of a consistent development environment allows the terminal to produce debug programs using the serial port of the microcontroller.

WinAVR Truly cult was integrated development environment WinAVR. It includes powerful C compiler and assembler, programmer AVRDUDE, debugger, simulator and many other supporting applications and utilities. WinAVR perfectly integrated with the development environment AVR Studio from Atmel. Assembler code is identical to the input assembler AVR Studio. Compilers C and assembly language with the ability to create debug files to COFF, which allows for not only built-in, but use powerful simulator AVR Studio. Another important advantage is that WinAVR distributed freely without restrictions (manufacturers support GNU General Public License).

In summary to say that WinAVR is a perfect choice for those who are beginning to learn microcontrollers AVR. It is a development environment and is seen as a major in this course.