I personally believe that microcontrollers are not a technology, but a tool.
For tools, our goal is to use them proficiently to create value and solve pain points; if it cannot create value, it is just junk.
If you understand this sentence, you will avoid many detours.
Next, I will talk about some knowledge points involved when using this tool.
1. What is a microcontroller?
2. What knowledge is required for microcontroller programming?
1.What is a microcontroller?
In simple terms, it is a programmable chip that can achieve different product functions through different programs and circuits. It is cheap, has low power consumption, and is very suitable for various consumer, industrial, medical, and aerospace intelligent control applications.
As long as you have a basic concept, it is sufficient to know that it is a chip that can be controlled by a program.
2.What knowledge is required for microcontroller programming?
Many people struggle to learn microcontrollers and programming mainly due to the following reasons:
1. Incorrect learning direction
2. The learning process is too dull, failing to cultivate interest correctly.
3. No guidance
Now, let’s tackle these issues one by one.
1.Incorrect learning direction
When learning anything, the direction of learning and planning a study schedule are the most important; the rest is persistence, persistence, and more persistence.
I previously wrote a detailed article on what to learn and to what extent, including tutorials and tools that are well organized.
Microcontroller Beginner to Advanced Learning Path (with tutorials + tools)
2. The learning process is too dull
Many friends prefer to learn systematically first and only then do projects.
If you have enough perseverance, you can do this, but many do not.
Most people feel bored during the learning process, which simply lacks that kind of “immediate feedback“ or sense of achievement.
For example:
After learning the basic statements of C language and the timer in microcontrollers, I could immediately create something interesting.
For instance, a timed bomb for some fun.
The most important thing is to make yourself feel: Hey, this microcontroller and C language can indeed do something practical!
Many might think this is a hassle and delays progress.
In fact, the fastest way to learn is to learn through projects because you will encounter many problems during the project process.
Solving problems is a form of growth; once you accumulate enough experience, learning subsequent knowledge will become much easier.
3.No guidance
Undoubtedly, finding someone with rich industry experience to guide you can allow you to learn in one year what others take two years or even longer to learn; this is rare and depends on fate.
Many might choose to attend training classes; I don’t know the effectiveness, as I have never registered.
I suggest finding someone to guide you in doing more projects and getting more exposure to actual product development, whether it is hardware or software, which can greatly enhance your skills and better meet industry needs.
As for online development boards and smart cars, their purpose is for beginners to learn microcontrollers and programming, which still differs from actual product development.
A few years ago, it was acceptable to use these to find a job, but now it is just humiliating; in fact, projects do not need to be overly complex, mainly whether your project can withstand batch verification and whether you have a systematic understanding of the entire commercialization product development process.