ChipKIT support?

Created Tue, 29 May 2012 22:09:03 +0000 by freetrader0000

freetrader0000

Tue, 29 May 2012 22:09:03 +0000

Hello! I'm a student that is interested in getting deeper into PIC programming. I already have experience in programming with Arduino. I’ve also used MPlab several times with Vex Robotics, however, I had to use some very basic libraries and going further into PIC programming was impossible for me due to the lack of support for that. I’ve gained interest in the chipKit products ( particularly the robotic development kit [url]http://www.digilentinc.com/Products/Catalog.cfm?NavPath=2,403&Cat=11[/url] ) because of the fact that I think that I can easily make a transition between Arduino and these boards. I’d like to know if there’s enough hardware support and enough support for me to make a transition between MPIde sketches and PIC programming with MPLab, since I’ve only had experience with basic IO and I barely know anything about registers and what happens inside the PIC. If there is support, then am I going on the right track by starting off with the robotic development kit? If not, would you recommend other products or directions I should take?

Demolishun

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 02:30:14 +0000

I am not sure what you mean by support. Are you looking for course material on learning computer science? Really these microcontrollers assume some level of CS knowledge. Now, there are tons of tutorials around the internet to learn topics like how a computer works, or how a programming language functions, etc. That might be the place to start.

If you don't have the basics down it can be a daunting task. However, diving in and working with the hardware and learning on the theory of CS at the same time will gain you the most benefit. I would suggest getting a book on microcontrollers like the PIC. Myke Predko has a book that covers up to 18F series of PICs. It has a lot of theory in the book. You should be able to pick up on the differences between the PIC32 by reading datasheets once you make it through the book: [url]http://www.amazon.com/Programming-Customizing-PIC-Microcontroller-Electronics/dp/B007HW80PG/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1338517268&sr=1-2[/url] Now to warn you the book covers assembly language quite a bit. Although I believe knowing the assembler is a GOOD thing when it comes to microcontrollers. Often times the compiler is not as smart as a human in generating code. There is a direct relationship of the assembler to the architecture of the chips.

Also he has other books: [url]http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=la_B001KCPE5I_sr?sort=relevance&search-alias=books&field-author=Myke+Predko[/url]

For me I took a 3 year non-stop technical course. In that course I was exposed to assembler for the PC and C++ for the PC. I also had taken Pascal in high school where I was exposed to formal CS theory. However, I learned the most by doing. All of the PIC and AVR programming I learned from datasheets, books, and web pages like this one. So, if you feel like you need a course on the basics of CS I would suggest looking for online resources and possibly auditing classes at a local community college if they are available.

Does this help?

freetrader0000

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 02:51:28 +0000

I guess there's a lot more to learn than I originally thought, but I'm still willing to take that learning curve. Thanks for the advice, it does help a lot!

Demolishun

Sat, 02 Jun 2012 13:14:14 +0000

One foot in front of the other.

Don't think of it as a mountain of stuff. Think about all the cool things you will figure out and learn how to make!