Embedded programming: what it is and how to get started

• Automotive electronics (engine control units, ABS, airbags)
• Home appliances (washing machines, microwaves, smart refrigerators)
• Smart devices (smartwatches, thermostats, smart home systems)
• Industrial controllers
• Robotics
• Medical devices (cardiac monitors, insulin pumps)

Features of Embedded Programming

• Limited resources: memory, processing power, and energy consumption are often very limited. The code must be as efficient as possible.
• Real-time operation: many embedded systems must process data without delays (for example, a car's braking system cannot wait additional milliseconds to process a command).
• Working with hardware: the programmer must understand the principles of electronics, reading data from sensors, working with GPIO (input/output pins), SPI, I2C, UART, and other protocols.
• Stability and security: devices often operate without rebooting for months or years, so the code must be secure and resilient to failures.

Getting Started

• Arduino (ATmega328, ESP32, STM32) — a great option for beginners due to the abundance of documentation and simple syntax.
• ESP8266 / ESP32 — ideal for IoT projects, equipped with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
• STM32 — powerful 32-bit microcontrollers used in real industrial developments.
• Raspberry Pi — a mini-computer that allows working with both Linux and low-level GPIO control.

• C — the primary language for microcontrollers, as it provides memory control and efficiency.
• C++ — used in more complex systems (e.g., robotics, IoT).
• Python (MicroPython) — popular for educational and simple IoT projects.

• Arduino IDE — to get started with Arduino and ESP.
• PlatformIO — a more powerful alternative to Arduino IDE.
• Keil / STM32CubeIDE — for working with STM32 microcontrollers.
• Raspberry Pi OS + Python — for development on Raspberry Pi.

• How GPIO works (digital and analog input/output)
• Communication protocols (I2C, SPI, UART)
• Working with sensors (temperature, light, motion)
• Controlling motors (servo, stepper, DC)

Simple Example

int led = 13;

void setup() {
  pinMode(led, OUTPUT);
}

void loop() {
  digitalWrite(led, HIGH);
  delay(1000);
  digitalWrite(led, LOW);
  delay(1000);
}

1. Try connecting sensors — for example, DHT11 for measuring temperature.
2. Work with Wi-Fi — use ESP32 to send data to the cloud.
3. Focus on energy saving — learn how to reduce energy consumption.
4. Get familiar with RTOS — this will enable you to work with multitasking in embedded systems.