For beginners in electronics, there are now too many electronic technologies available for learning. Like other industries, the development of electronic technology has become more specialized and refined.
The era of 8-bit microcontrollers like the 51 has long passed. Today, the microcontrollers you hear about are mainly 32-bit. In terms of program development, it has expanded from targeted dedicated programs to secondary development based on operating systems. To facilitate learning for enthusiasts, various processor models and development boards have emerged, providing rich examples… For beginners, it can be a bit overwhelming.
So, for beginners, should they start learning from microcontrollers or from Raspberry Pi?
This is not easy to say, as the term “beginner” does not specify which type of beginner. If someone has no programming background, then undoubtedly, they should start with microcontrollers. But if they have rich experience in Linux programming and want to learn hardware development, then it might be better to learn Raspberry Pi directly.
Why do I say this? Let’s take some time to discuss.
Microcontroller vs Raspberry Pi
Microcontroller, usually refers to microcontrollers like the 51 or PIC, where enthusiasts can directly buy a dual in-line package (DIP) microcontroller from the market and set up a hardware testing environment on a breadboard. Even ready-made development boards are not very expensive and are easy to obtain. Generally, bare microcontrollers can be programmed and erased with a universal programmer. For development boards, programming and testing can be done online directly.
▲ Microcontroller Development Board
Now, what about Raspberry Pi?
Simply put, Raspberry Pi is a card-sized computer. As shown in the image below, can you see clearly? It is a computer with an operating system!
Raspberry Pi is a microcomputer motherboard, some come with USB ports and Ethernet ports, allowing connection to keyboards, mice, network cables, and video output interfaces, providing the basic functions of a computer. Of course, it can also perform many applications such as spreadsheets, word processing, playing games, and playing high-definition videos.
▲ Raspberry Pi Development Board
Now that you see the differences, are they significant?
Which one is harder to learn?
Microcontrollers and development boards aimed at microcontrollers are usually targeted for control development; you just need to know assembly or C and follow the examples to learn.Of course, it’s best if you are familiar with the principles of microcontroller composition. After all, microcontrollers do not have many registers and are not very complex; with a little effort, you can understand them.
However, Raspberry Pi is different. It usually comes pre-installed with an operating system, generally Linux. To develop on Raspberry Pi, it requires secondary development (I feel that most Raspberry Pi enthusiasts are not engaged in low-level system development). Without a Linux development background, it is unreasonable to think that developing on Raspberry Pi can be done like developing microcontroller programs.
I believe learning Raspberry Pi is more like learning Linux program development. If you want to use Raspberry Pi to control other hardware devices with interface protocols (like Bluetooth modules), you probably cannot avoid Linux driver development.
▲ Reference Image
Speaking of software development, after over 20 years in software development, I find it quite painful, feeling like it’s just one thing: you can never finish learning, always in the process of learning! Microcontroller development is simpler; mastering assembly (which is not commonly used anymore) and C allows you to keep playing.
It can be said that learning microcontrollers is like a small pit in hardware development, while software development is a deep abyss (I hope this doesn’t scare you). Although Raspberry Pi is relatively difficult, it’s all about learning; no one is born to know it, right?
So in summary, microcontroller development focuses more on low-level control; Raspberry Pi development focuses more on application layers. However, whether it’s microcontrollers or Raspberry Pi, it depends on your needs; learn whichever you need!
Don’t know how? No worries, roll up your sleeves and dive in; learn while doing.
Finally, regarding the topic of “Beginners in Hardware: Should You Buy a Microcontroller or a Raspberry Pi?” what different opinions do you have? Feel free to leave a comment for discussion!
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