Hey I just received a Texas Instruments MSP430 launch pad as a gift and have basically no idea about what to do with it. But I really want to learn. I have no prior knowledge about programming but do have some basics in digital electronics. Any suggestions about how to begin?

 

You can always start with MrChips tutorial here

 

I received one of those a long time ago as a gift as well. It was only about 2 years later, after having worked a tad with Arduino and ATMEL microcontrollers, that I came back to it and realized what it was and how to use it. It's actually not much different than an Arduino. In fact, one of the IDEs that you can use with it looks almost EXACTLY like the arduino's, and even shares most of it's code.
It can be found here: http://energia.nu/download/

I glanced at MrChips tutorial and although it looks good, I'd still recommend learning how to use it with Energia first. It's much simpler, and doesn't lay on too much at once.
I haven't used mine much because I have an Arduino Mega and about half a dozen ATMEGA328's. So I can't really recommend any specific tutorial series.

 

I'm sorry but as I said Im a beginner and so couldn't follow you completely. I googled IDE and but couldn't form a very good idea. Could you explain it in simple terms? And yes, if its not too much to ask can you give me a bigger picture about microcontrollers that I should keep in mind while redaing the tutorials which I will this weekend. Thanks

 

Hello,

IDE stands for : Integrated Development Environment
It can be the software where the programs for the microcontroller are developed and tested.
Most times there is a tool inside the IDE to program the microcontroller (using the programmer if needed).

Bertus

 

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