What are the commonly used development software for microcontrollers?

There are many development tools, and after numerous pitfalls, the most important thing is that they are easy to use and have simulation and debugging functions .

Especially with the simulation debugging function, if you are familiar with it, your bug-finding efficiency will take off immediately.

Here is an inventory of some of the more commonly used microcontroller development tools:

1. Keil μVision

I believe this development tool is a must-have for all microcontroller development. For example, Project 1, Project 3 and Project 6 of our Wuji Microcontroller Special Training Camp all use Keil.

Keil is a microcontroller development environment based on Windows system, mainly used for the development and debugging of ARM Cortex-M, 8051, C251 and other microcontrollers.

Keil provides integrated compilers, debuggers, simulators and other tools to help developers quickly create, compile and debug microcontroller programs.

Keil is characterized by its simplicity, ease of use, powerful functions, and good compatibility. It is my favorite and most familiar development tool.

Another point is that this tool is relatively rich in information. Many of the questions encountered during the development process can be answered directly online.

2. IAR Embedded Workbench

IAR is also a relatively well-known brand. It is an integrated development environment (IDE) developed by IAR Systems. It is used to develop embedded applications and supports a variety of microcontroller chips and processor architectures, such as ARM Cortex-M, RISC -V, AVR, 8051, etc.

Many development features are provided, including auto-completion, code templates, debugger, simulator, performance analyzer, optimizer, and more. It also supports multiple programming languages ​​and file formats such as C, C++, assembly language, ELF, COFF, etc.

The first time I used IAR was to develop STM8 microcontroller programs. We used IAR in projects 2, 4, and 5 of our Wuji MCU Special Training Camp. Colleagues I met before also used this to develop STM32 programs.

My feeling is that it is not as easy to use as Keil, but the compiled code is more streamlined and takes up less memory.

3.STM32CubeIDE

Friends who are learning STM32 should be familiar with this.

STM32CubeIDE is a comprehensive development environment launched by ST Company for STM32 microcontroller development, supporting Windows and Linux systems.

STM32CubeIDE has a wealth of code writing and debugging tools, such as code highlighting, debuggers, simulators, etc., and supports multiple programming languages, including C, C++, Assembly, etc.

4.CodeBlocks

CodeBlocks is a free open source cross-platform C/C++ integrated development environment that supports the development of a variety of microcontrollers, including AVR, ARM, PIC and other series.

CodeBlocks is lightweight, fast, and easy to use. It also supports a variety of plug-ins to extend its functionality.

One of the advantages of CodeBlocks is its code auto-completion and code formatting features, which can help developers write programs more efficiently.

5.MPLAB X IDE

MPLAB X IDE is a comprehensive development environment launched by Microchip for PIC microcontroller development, supporting Windows, macOS and Linux systems.

MPLAB X IDE has powerful code writing and debugging tools, such as code highlighting, debuggers, simulators, etc., and supports multiple programming languages, including C, C++, Assembly, etc.

MPLAB X IDE also provides a wealth of sample codes and project templates to help developers quickly start projects.

6.Arduino IDE

Arduino IDE is an open source microcontroller programming tool specifically used to write programs on the Arduino development board.

Arduino IDE is easy to use, cross-platform, and an integrated development environment. It also has a large number of open source libraries and sample programs that can help developers quickly write and test programs.

Arduino IDE uses simple C++ language and Arduino library, allowing developers to get started quickly and perform operations such as debugging and simulation.

7.Atmel Studio

Atmel Studio is a free open source integrated development environment that can be used to program AVR microcontrollers.

Atmel Studio has a wealth of code writing and debugging tools, such as code highlighting, debuggers, simulators, etc., and supports multiple programming languages, including C, C++, Assembly, etc.

8. Code Composer Studio

CCS is a microcontroller development software for TI, which can be used to program MSP430, MSP432, TIVA, CC13xx/CC26xx and other series of microcontrollers.

CCS has powerful code writing and debugging tools, and also supports multiple programming languages ​​and operating systems.

I have used this tool when developing products using the TI CC2640 Bluetooth chip. It is quite powerful in all aspects, but it is not as convenient as Keil.