Hello,
this is my first time on these forums so i don't know if i'm doing it right.
For the last few days i've been trying to get into microprocessors, however i just don't know where to start. My questions are:
How do i get into embedded computing?
How do I run a microprocessor?
How do i program the microprocessor, what language do i use, how do i actually wire up the microprocessor to get it programmed?
What hardware do i need?
I'm looking forward to getting a better understanding of this.

 

Welcome to AAC and the wonderful world of microcontrollers.
There are many paths from which to choose, too many to list here.

One would begin by choosing a platform, which is usually tied to a specific manufacturer.

Start by reading this recent thread and then come back and ask more questions.

 

What are you ultimately hoping to do? Hobby? Employment? Hanging out with the cool kids?

I'd recommend starting with arduinos. Inexpensive, designed for education, tons of tutorials, lots of example projects.
Here's a decent getting started guide

 

What are you ultimately hoping to do? Hobby? Employment? Hanging out with the cool kids?

I'd recommend starting with arduinos. Inexpensive, designed for education, tons of tutorials, lots of example projects.
Here's a decent getting started guide

Processor: 16 Mhz ATmega16U2

Seriously?

 

seriously.

edit: by the way, people don't bat an eye when someone asks questions about 30+ year old micros, so why all the snark for the lowly arduino?

 

seriously.

edit: by the way, people don't bat an eye when someone asks questions about 30+ year old micros, so why all the snark for the lowly arduino?

There are some on this forum that seem to have an Arduinophobia.
I can't understand it as the Arduino is by far the easiest and cheapest to start with. They are by no means the best micros around but that in itself is almost a religious argument.
So supakoopa, have a look at the thread mentioned earlier, and have fun with an Arduino to start with. Don't be put off Arduinos by those people. The Arduino was designed to teach electronics after all. Electronics is a great hobby.

 

These courses answer quite a few questions, there are a few that are free.
http://www.gooligum.com.au/tutorials.html
Max.

 

Microcontrollers, like computers in general, come and go. Don't get attached to one platform.

There was Amiga, Commodore PET, VIC20, TRS-80, Sinclair ZX80, Apple II, IBM, Mac, etc.

There was MicroMint, S-100, COSMAC, 6502, BASIC Stamp, PIC, AVR, HC11, 68K, Arduino, Raspberry Pi, BeagleBone, Omega II, MicroPython.

Take a pick. Learn the basics and move on.

 

You forgot the Signetics 2650. My first It had an S100 board with 4 stacked daughter boards holding 88 ICs to give me 11K of RAM. Huge!

Boy, things have come a long way!

 

You forgot the Signetics 2650. My first It had an S100 board with 4 stacked daughter boards holding 88 ICs to give me 11K of RAM. Huge!

Boy, things have come a long way!

and let us not forget the IMSAI 8080. I had serious wood over that computer.

 

Microcontrollers, like computers in general, come and go. Don't get attached to one platform.

There was Amiga, Commodore PET, VIC20, TRS-80, Sinclair ZX80, Apple II, IBM, Mac, etc.

There was MicroMint, S-100, COSMAC, 6502, BASIC Stamp, PIC, AVR, HC11, 68K, Arduino, Raspberry Pi, BeagleBone, Omega II, MicroPython.

Take a pick. Learn the basics and move on.

The important point in all that is the principles are the same. It doesn't matter what processor or language (well, except for BASIC... ) as long as you learn how to logically structure your programs, how attack to a problem systematically and to make the most of limited resources.

 

And I think there is value in starting with lower end spec micros as it teaches to make better use of what is available, like limited RAM and IOs.

 

And I think there is value in starting with lower end spec micros as it teaches to make better use of what is available, like limited RAM and IOs.

When I worked for a large software company, we used to be in awe of the Russian programmers that had to code on ridiculously backwards processors and were able to squeeze amazing things into tiny memory spaces. Some of the best programmers I've ever seen. Necessity breeds innovation.

 

I recommend to start small: an easy 8-bit microcontroller.
You have mainly 2 chooses: Microchip(PIC)or Atmel's(Atmega or Attiny)
If you want you could buy an Arduino Wich is Atmel AVR based and enjoys a good community support (tutorials etc).
Later you could build your own.
Then you could switch up to more powerful ones if you need (32 bit+ wifi etc).
For 32bit wifi capabilities I recommend the popular esp8266 .
I started on Arduino myself.
Not that pic is not good but it has less support from the community in my opinion.

 

Thank you for all tle help - but i'm looking to get into microprocessors, not microcontrollers. I have an arduino, and i know how to use it.

 

Thank you for all tle help - but i'm looking to get into microprocessors, not microcontrollers. I have an arduino, and i know how to use it.

What is your conceptual difference between a microprocessor and a microcontroller?
Give us some examples of a microprocessor and a microcontroller.
Just asking so that we are all on the same page.

 

...programmers that had to code on ridiculously backwards processors and were able to squeeze amazing things into tiny memory spaces.

I still do that and get ridiculed for my efforts.

 

Thank you for all tle help - but i'm looking to get into microprocessors, not microcontrollers. I have an arduino, and i know how to use it.

Why not download a z80 or 8080 emulator and run CP/M? You can write asm or C, and tons of development software and lots of code/executables are available for free.

 

I still do that and get ridiculed for my efforts.

there's no pride of craftsmanship in the younger generation...

 

Thank you for all tle help - but i'm looking to get into microprocessors, not microcontrollers. I have an arduino, and i know how to use it.

Microprocessors don't have storage. You need external hardware to store the programs.