Hello all,
I'm an experienced C++ programmer but very beginner to the world of embedded. My intention is to use modern C++ for embedded programming especially on ARM MCU. As my first hands-on experiment, I need to start with a Blue Pill and make its LED blink. Sadly, due to the hard situation in the place I live in, finding even such an simple board can be difficult. I'm not sure this is the right place on the site to ask my questions in this regard or not, but I hope so. I've got two questions:1) Is there any popular emulator that can properly emulate an MCU like Blue Pill, Black Pill or lower/higher models so that I can run my C++ program and observe the results on it? For instance, to see an LED blinking? If so, what's that good emulator, please? I've got two machines to install that emulator software on: Windows, and Linux.
2) What're the advantages and disadvantages of using such an emulator versus having real boards for that purpose, please?
Thanks beforehand.
OK, I will go for NUCLEO-F411RE and I assume its preference over Blue/Black Pill apart from many extra features it brings us, is that working on it for me as a beginner is simpler than on the Pills and I can rely on it (NUCLEO-F411RE) for a longer time for many other embedded programming tasks in the future as well. Right? The next question, as any starter may encounter, is that, what other peripherals am I better to purchase with the board (NUCLEO-F411RE)? I mean things like a breadboard, cables, etc.
For starters, I think the Nucleo should be adequate on its own: you have an LED to blink, a button to press, and the virtual COM port for serial IO - that should be plenty to be getting on with...
That'll get you through the first 6 steps here: https://www.avrfreaks.net/comment/1138166#comment-1138166
With that foundation, you should have enough understanding to know where you want to go next
Don't I even need a USB cable to be able to run the C++ projects I will write by my PC onto the board!?
Yes, of course you will need a USB cable - I assume you already have such things.
Make sure you have the correct one, though: many (most? all?) of the Nucleo-64 board have mini - not micro - USB
No I have nothing related to embedded and am just about to start as I said. Sorry to ask this again, apart from the board itself and the mini USB cable don't I need any other stuff? The board has a series of copper jags/teeth on both sides on the top. I assume something should be attach to them to make use of a feature of the board. Am I mistaken?
I wouldn't have called USB leads "related to embedded".
No, you don't need to attach anything to those pins; they are available for expansion - but not needed for standalone use.
You do need to be careful, though, not to short them out; eg, don't stand it on a conductive metal surface.
OK. I will be completely careful.More questions for the time I will start using it, of course in a new thread. :)Thanks so much for your time and help. Hope I will have a nice experience in the world of embedded programming. :)