Some doubts about microcontroller beginners

1. Which microcontroller should I start with?

In the group, people keep asking, should we learn 51, AVR or PIC? Which configuration is better for the same series? I especially emphasize that everyone should understand that what microcontroller we are considering now is to learn for entry? It does not mean that you will only use this microcontroller in the future. For entry, we should choose the one with the most complete information, the most representative, and the most likely to be mastered, which must be 51. I have said this in the group and mentioned it in the previous blog. Some people have doubts about this.

What are the differences between different series of microcontrollers? (51 and AVR belong to different series)

Let's talk about lighting up a LED. The way to light up a LED is to output a voltage level to an IO port to light up the LED. This is the same idea regardless of the microcontroller. The only difference is that we use different software to generate the program, load different header files, and configure different register names. We still use C programming. Just like we learned to listen to music on a computer, do you care what computer, operating system, and playback software you use? As long as you learn the steps to listen to music, you can use anything to listen to it. It's just a matter of getting familiar with the environment.

What we need to learn now is programming ideas. With the ideas, you can learn any microcontroller.

What are the differences for microcontrollers in the same series?

The difference between the same series of single-chip microcomputers is nothing more than the higher supported crystal oscillator frequency, larger ROM and RAM capacity, faster read and write speed, and high integration. Just like a computer, no matter how your computer changes, it is nothing more than faster speed, larger hard disk capacity, higher memory, faster read and write speed, richer or highly integrated peripheral interfaces, and your operation is still the same. It doesn't mean that you won't be able to use it if you change a computer, it's just that different needs require different configurations, that's all.

In a word: trust me, just listen to me, use 51 to get started.

2. Should I buy a development board?

Some people think you should buy it, because you can get started quickly and there are download lines and so on; some people think you shouldn't buy it, because you can save a lot of money and you can do it yourself to improve your practical skills. I think both views are correct, and the most important thing is to look at your own situation.

If someone wants to buy a board but says they don’t have money, I think that’s bullshit.

If you have no hardware foundation, I suggest you buy a development board. There is a brother in the group who soldered it himself and couldn't solve the problem of a download line in a week. This is really a big blow to enthusiasm. Not to mention programming later. When you have a problem, you really don't know whether it is the hardware or the software. I guess you can't do it. Beginners must ensure that their hardware is fine, so that they can learn quickly; when you have learned the software, you can do the hardware. The sense of achievement is very important when you are a beginner. Don't confuse yourself because of the hardware.

You originally wanted to "work with" hardware, but in the end you find that you are "worked with" by the hardware.

In a word: trust me, just listen to me, you need your own development board.

3. What textbooks to use

Why do I raise this question? Someone in the group mentioned this question a few days ago, and I found that the mentality of beginners is very interesting. They are like headless flies. When they hear something good, they want to see it immediately, as if others have it and they have suffered a great loss if they don’t have it. Don’t do things that are like picking up sesame seeds and losing watermelons.

I find that people are now leaning towards these two books:

"Teaching You How to Learn Microcontrollers Step by Step" published by Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics Press, author Zhou Xinghua.

"New Concept 51 Single Chip Microcomputer C Language Tutorial" was published by the Publishing House of Electronics Industry, written by Guo Tianxiang.

My suggestion is that you only need one of the above books. Both are good, so there is no need to read both. You can also read one more:

"C Language Programming" published by Tsinghua University Press, author Tan Haoqiang.

I strongly recommend buying books, not just reading PDF documents. (I was a little surprised that a friend in the group graduated from college and didn't know what PDF was.)

In other words: trust me, just listen to me, and stop wasting time looking for books.

Three people go together there must be my teacher.

A teacher teaches, imparts knowledge, and resolves doubts!