Over a Cup of Koffee

We saw in our earlier posts, how to wire up the programmer and how to write a C Program. Now, let us see how to compile and download the program onto the device. gcc, as most of you may know, is a cross compiler. A cross compiler is usually used for off target compiling. Thus, a program can be compiled by gcc targeting any platform, not just the host platform. In short, eventhough gcc runs and compiles on a PC, it can be asked to compile for ATmega8. Thus, effectively, we can generate a hex file readable by the device; but not by the PC.

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The GNU/Linux offers a plethora of tools to program the ATmega8 efficiently and quickly. avr-gcc provides a port of the popular gcc compiler. This enables a newbie with basic knowledge in C to program the controller easily without the hassle of learning assembly instructions. Moreover, programming the controller in a middle-level language as opposed to assembly gives higher command over the code, but at a higher program size.

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Its been almost a month since I last visited the ATmega8 I bought the other day. Yet, there it was sitting nicely beneath my PC stand, a bit dusty though. With renewed interest and vigor, I rebooted my attempts. This time, I was ready with all the required components. I left you in the previous article stating that I wired up the programming circuit; but I failed to mention the circuit used. Without further ado, here’s my programmer circuit.

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The other day, I decided it was time enough that I loitered around, doing nothing to improve my knowledge or skills at what I am supposed to be good at, Electronics. Oh, well, thats what the world supposes you to be, right ? You know, after getting a B.Tech degree in Electronics, you should at the very least be able to implement a comparator properly. I can, and I have. But thats not the point. I’ve done nothing related to electronics after I completed my degree. So, on the day of WordPress disaster, I bought all the components required to make my perfect dream.

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