In my day job I do high enterprise Java Big Data stuff. I used to work in high through put, low latency C code for stock exchanges, we would have long calls with customers discussing and increase in latency of anything more than 5 microseconds. I obviously get bored of Java.
So for hobby, I work with microcontrollers and home automation.
With standard "PC" tools you could go for a Raspberry PI, but that's not the level of embedded I'm talking about. I'm talking about OS-less, raw code.
The next most accessible option is Arduino and it's eco system. It's a recommended start point as it has expanded into so many other architectures, such as the STM32, the ESP8266/32 et. al.
The beauty of these "little USB dev board MCUs" is how quick and easy they are to set up, write code for and debug.
Consider this... as someone learning C and PC architecture or assembler.
The STM32 Bluepill or Blackpill cost about a $5 a piece. However, with an ST-Link programmer connected and the STM32CubeIDE (Eclipse) IDE software, you can not only insert breakpoints on lines of code, but on individual lines of assembler and... at the same time view live registers and even edit registers.
So if you wanted to say learn ARM Assmbler or ARM optimised C, a $5 USB board could have you stepping instruction by instruction through you ASM or C code watching the registers change.
Working on devices with such small memory and high parallel peripheral processing capabilities is a lot of fun. It will force you to make efficient use of your memory.
The fact that ARM Cortex M cores have a direct hardware connection to the core CPU state make it so awesome for learning.
Take a look at this, or go via the Arduino Eco System if it's easier.
So for hobby, I work with microcontrollers and home automation.
With standard "PC" tools you could go for a Raspberry PI, but that's not the level of embedded I'm talking about. I'm talking about OS-less, raw code.
The next most accessible option is Arduino and it's eco system. It's a recommended start point as it has expanded into so many other architectures, such as the STM32, the ESP8266/32 et. al.
The beauty of these "little USB dev board MCUs" is how quick and easy they are to set up, write code for and debug.
Consider this... as someone learning C and PC architecture or assembler.
The STM32 Bluepill or Blackpill cost about a $5 a piece. However, with an ST-Link programmer connected and the STM32CubeIDE (Eclipse) IDE software, you can not only insert breakpoints on lines of code, but on individual lines of assembler and... at the same time view live registers and even edit registers.
So if you wanted to say learn ARM Assmbler or ARM optimised C, a $5 USB board could have you stepping instruction by instruction through you ASM or C code watching the registers change.
Working on devices with such small memory and high parallel peripheral processing capabilities is a lot of fun. It will force you to make efficient use of your memory.
The fact that ARM Cortex M cores have a direct hardware connection to the core CPU state make it so awesome for learning.
Take a look at this, or go via the Arduino Eco System if it's easier.
