Hello All,
I want to learn Microcontroller from basic and step by step online.
So, where I can find reliable source to get started? Also, which I should start first? I mean as far I heard there are several categories like AVR, 8051 etc.
Among them which kind is the most appropriate for today's world?

Thanks in advance.

 

My personal favorite for a newbie is the Arduino board.. Get an uno for $30 bucks and go here and have fun
http://arduino.cc/en/Guide/HomePage
very simple examples here..
http://arduino.cc/en/Tutorial/HomePage

It doesn't get any easier than an arduino IMO.. No separate programmer needed just plug it in via USB to your computer.

 

My personal favorite for a newbie is the Arduino board.. Get an uno for $30 bucks and go here and have fun
http://arduino.cc/en/Guide/HomePage
very simple examples here..
http://arduino.cc/en/Tutorial/HomePage

It doesn't get any easier than an arduino IMO.. No separate programmer needed just plug it in via USB to your computer.

Does it related to robotics?
I need to imply electrical circuits and their outcomes via it.

 

I've never used the Arduino Uno that mcgyvr suggested, but I know that it's a very good learning tool.

I jumped right in with PICs using the PICKit 3 and their demo board. It takes some figuring out to get everything set up properly, but once you do figure it out, there are soooooo many possibilities. The PICKit 3 with demo board can be found here.

 

I wasn't sure if the "basic" in your post meant the basic programming language or just basic (ie not advanced).. Arduino is not for the basic language.. Its mostly based on C/C++ language.

 

I wasn't sure if the "basic" in your post meant the basic programming language or just basic (ie not advanced).. Arduino is not for the basic language.. Its mostly based on C/C++ language.

I made the same assumption

 

+1 for arduino. You can get them at radioshack now.

 

I wasn't sure if the "basic" in your post meant the basic programming language or just basic (ie not advanced).. Arduino is not for the basic language.. Its mostly based on C/C++ language.

I've done C and will learn C++ by the end of the year. So, if the starting based on 'C', it wont be a problem I think.
Also, would you like to explain a bit the terms/platforms PIC, AVR.....

 

Also, would you like to explain a bit the terms/platforms PIC, AVR.....

Just different companies names for their lines of micros..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PIC_microcontroller
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atmel_AVR
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ARM_architecture

 

Does it related to robotics?
I need to imply electrical circuits and their outcomes via it.

Sure any micro can be used for "robotics".. There are TONS of examples of robotic projects using an Arduino board.

And the new Arduino boards with the Android ADK on them are really cool and allow simple integration with your android smart phones.

 

If your a newb go arduino, it runs on whats calls Stupid Simple C, which is basically a mix between Basic and C, its really easy and pinouts are already done, not to mention how much there is for the lil thing. Once your comfortable and outgrowing the basic arduino I recommend a PIC or ATMEL AVR chip to work with, possible a LPC if you need even more power.

 

If I had it to do over, I would have gone with Arduino. Instead I chose Picaxe and learned that system but it is not as well recognized and supported as the Arduino system by a country mile. I learned Picaxe and did a lot of simple to fairly complex tasks, but the system is slow and easilly stalled due to timing and the use of part of the memory to compile the program into a machine readable and executable form. This is just my .02, but that's how I started out and since then I have decided to go to Microchip and learn C and eventually C++. Good luck and above all don't ever give up. Your miracle will happen if you stick with it.
Wheelchair Bob

 

If I had it to do over, I would have gone with Arduino. Instead I chose Picaxe and learned that system but it is not as well recognized and supported as the Arduino system by a country mile.

I haven;t used the picaxe but I've studied up on it. Just seemed to expensive for what you got and it was just a rebranded pic that was limited. Also didn't like the programming interface. Arduino's nice, anything with a good branded dev kit will be nice.

 

Other good thing about arduino is it's cult following of noobs, and the pursuant plethora of already asked questions with answers. Their (arduino) forum is abuzz with askers & answerers. Lots of tech support, from peers. It's open source so the DIY crowd is all over it.