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Software
There are numerous ways of learning and using a new microcontroller family effectively. A number of
C/C++ compilers are available for coding MSP430 micros. Hobbyists and novice users find Arduino-like
solutions easy and quick but from an engineer’s perspective such solutions are inexplicably incapable
of extracting the sweet fruits of a well-armed microcontroller. Rawer approaches are preferred by
professionals but they too seek reduced efforts and quick solutions. The learning curve is also needed
to be a smooth one. In this segment, we will checkout some common software solutions for MSP430s.
Firstly, there is the free open-source Energia IDE. This is an Arduino-like IDE that enables users to code
MSP430s in the Arduino way. It supports many Launchpad boards including those which are based on
ARM cores. I have used it a lot and it is fun using it for simple hobby projects. However, I wanted to
harness the true power of MSP430s. As with Arduino, you can access MSP430 registers in Energia too
but that doesn’t make significant differences in terms of coding efficiency and memory consumptions.
Energia has the same issues as with Arduino. Arduino framework on top of an AVR makes it much less
robust when compared to a crude AVR. The same thing applies for Energia too. Another key limitation
of Energia is the fact that not all MSP430 chips are supported by it. Energia is, however, very easy to
use, quick and useful for rapid prototyping or testing. The costs are low overall efficiency and larger
code size. Just like Arduino, Energia is not well-suited for highly sophisticate professional projects. It
is just a rapid prototyping tool that we can use to check a proof-of-concept but not the right tool to
build that concept. A smaller hammer is useful for nailing a pin but it is not the perfect tool for breaking
a giant boulder.
Energia is available at http://energia.nu/.
Please note that Energia is not supported by the Arduino LCC which means it not developed or
maintained by the guys from the Arduino team. This doesn’t matter much for its users. However, the
IDE is not frequently updated like the Arduino IDE.
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