Outgrowing Arduino
For about a year now, I’ve been playing with the Arduino prototyping platform to learn about embedded programming. After a year, however, I think the time has come to say goodbye to the Arduino and program my microcontrollers directly.
I do like the concept that Arduino is offering: a simple, low-cost platform that wraps a more complex process underneath. The hardware is functional and well-packaged, and the platform has developed quite a community. The bootloader — the heart of the Arduino platform — makes programming the device simple and eliminates the need for specialized support hardware.
However, the device is quite simplistic. It obscures a lot of the underlying elements of the device. Moreover, the number of supported devices is limited, which makes using different microcontrollers almost impossible.
The Arduino has certainly helped move me into embedded programming. I have learned a great deal about how the ATmega168/328 microcontrollers operate, and I plan to continue to use my Arduino for quick and dirty projects. However, as I continue to grow as an electronics tinkerer, I only see myself and the Arduino parting ways.
