I'm a high-level programmer looking to transition into embedded programming as a career. I want to work with electronics, including radios, sensors, and signal processing. My goal is to maximize my job opportunities and cover a wide range of electronics with my skills. I already have a basic understanding of C, but I'm interested in the benefits of learning assembly language, particularly in embedded programming. I've heard ARM is popular, but MIPS is still common in academic settings. Since assembly languages vary by device architecture, which one should I focus on learning?
1 Answer
MIPS isn't as popular these days but it's still used by some devices. It's mainly taught in schools because it's easier to create lessons around it. On the other hand, ARM processors are really common and widely available. Don't forget about new things like RISC-V too! If you're looking to work with things like motors or networking devices, ARM is probably your best bet. Practicing on various microcontrollers, like the Curiosity Nano boards, is a great way to get started without spending too much.
Thanks for the details! I’ll definitely check out those ARM and PIC options. Quick question: when you mentioned things like light bulbs and toasters, are those running on 8-bit processors?