Hello everyone,

I know this is off topic, but since I don't know a better place to ask for....so please bear with me

I want to learn microcontroller programing, but don't know where to begin with?
I know programing in C and C++ and little bit of basic electronics, like the function and use of transistors, diodes, mosfets etc.
I even did a workshop last year where we used picBASIC microcontroller to build and program a line follower robot, but everything in the kit was plug and play type and the entire emphasis of the workshop was on generating and implementing the code.....so I didn't learn much from it. 
I want to learn stuff like controlling a dc motor and/or servo with a microcontroller and how to interface various sensors like IR and ultrasonic sensors with the microcontroller itself......but don't know where and how to start with........the large no of options available in microcontrollers like Atmega, Arduino, PIC, AVR confuse me to hell

So please suggest me some beginner friendly way to learn this stuff

thanx in advance
Bilal

Bilal

As a startup,

1. there are two major families of microcontrollers available for hobbyists, viz. PIC and AVR. PIC is an older microcontroller and uses higher voltages etc for programming etc, the AVR on the other hand is considered to be easier to learn and faster. They both have thire pros and cons
2. For both you would need a C compiler to compile your code, there are free tools for both
3. You will need a programmer, and probably a development board (you can build your own if you have some previous experience with soldering etc...)

two websites that will help you are:

http://www.extremeelectronics.com
http://maxembedded.wordpress.com

These are both done by Indian authors and can really get you started.

Hope that helps you to startup. Let me know if you have any questions.
GS

Bilal,
I have been using microcontrollers as a part of my engineering course for a while now. And the choice certainly goes with the application. For starters, i would recommend arduino, it is very user friendly. It dispenses with all the intricate details of the core and basics. However if you are interested in learning through the basics, then PIC or AVR is a good substitute, however programming will be a tad difficult. For instance, the arduino environment has a built in library for servo rotation, which is easy to manipulate. With conventional approach through micro-controllers, you'll have to set up the timers, load basic values and make initializations
The same goes for interfacing the afro mentioned sensors So for a user friendly inception, arduino by and far the better approach
hope i could convey something useful

Girish is the one who can guide in the RC way..... I already took first starting class yesterday night ......

regds
Saurabh

@rastsaurabh sir  
Please don't put me on an altar. I am here to bring whatever I know to the community.

Yes it totally depends on the application. Arduino is the way to go if you want to do a thing or two. If you really want to go kickass on stuff, native programming is useful. As a generality, uc programming is loads of sleepless nights, and if you go down the assembler route, only a few hours of sleep is what one gets. When you say c++, note that a very good understanding of pointers, pointer arithmetic, memory layouts, memory allocation and assignment, arrays, binary arithmetic, bits and bytes, octal, hexadecimal, binary etc and a strong base on how semiconductors wotk are more than just essential. uc programming simply starts where the class 12th course we get to do leaves us. And then there are preferences, I've always like to do the hard things first so the easy ones become a walk in the park

try talkingelectronics site. google it.

picaxe microcontroller is the best way to learn programming and experimentation....... i can help you on all types of picaxe chips....

i would suggest you to go with arduino, its a great way to start, if your learning this for your projects, experiments. This will be very easy. No 0x00 or 0xFF    ... There are many readily available arduino compatible sensors too. All you need to get is a arduino compatible hardware. That will cost from 700-4500.
visit www.arduni.cc