Programming Microcontrollers in C

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Summary: My Search is Over
Review: I am a student in my final year studying Computer Science BCS Hons at Demontfort University in Leicester England. I have been given the task to program a the MC68HC05 microcontroller or fail the degree, ha ha. What i know about the C language is not enough to complete this task, but as I continue to learn it by the means of the book, I will update my stars. So far i have been using the book C for Microprossor Engineering, by S. J. Cahill and i have basically hit a brickwall.

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Summary: New edition is great
Review: I have the first ed. of this book and just got the 2nd ed. It's much better, very up to date, clearly written wtih LOTS of helpful application code. This cD with this new edition is great, since it has the code on it.

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Summary: A "user friendly" compendium of solid information
Review: Programming Microcontrollers In C is a "user friendly" compendium of solid information on the use of C to fully exploit the power of today's microcontrollers. Beginning with an excellent tutorial on C basics, the reader is introduced to microcontrollers with descriptions of their programming environment and tips on coding for microcontrollers. Expert Ted Van Sickle then goes on to describe techniques for obtaining maximum performance from code; the differences between 8-bit and larger microcontrollers (giving application examples and providing details on using different compilers); advanced information for programming embedded systems and RISC microcontrollers (using Motorola's MCORE as the example). Programming Microcontrollers In C offers a great many useful C routines and the accompanying CD-ROM. contains all of the software referenced in the text, as well as C compilers, a full set of Motorola's microcontroller documentation in hyperlinked PDF format, and a fully searchable Deluxe eBook version of the text. The latest title in LLH Technology Publishing's "Embedded Technology" series, Programming Microcontrollers In C is a very highly recommended and invaluable addition to the dedicated programmer's reference shelf.

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Summary: Book's name should be Programming MOTOROLA Microcontrollers in C
Review: This book is easy to read and understand. However, it is too specific to Motorola microcontrollers. At times it is difficult to determine whether a limitation or advantage listed is specific to the Motorola microntroller being referenced or whether it applies to microcontrollers in general

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Summary: Just what I was looking for
Review: This book is very easy to understand. If you are interested in learning about the Motorola 68HCXX family chips then this is a great book to start with. It help me to understand a lot of key concepts. The overview of C was also good and to the point. I definetly recommend this book to anyone, especially beginners like myself.

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Summary: Title Should Be: Programming Motorola Microcontrollers
Review: This book is written by a retired Motorola guy and it shows. Van Sickle all but ignores other processors and all of his examples are based on Motorola controllers and C compilers. He's also a bit out of date in many areas.

Much of the book is centered around older (non-flash) Motorola parts. He mentions some of the newer ones here and there, but it's obvious the bulk of the author's experience and the first edition of the book pre-date the newer parts.

The book doesn't really go into a lot of detail in any one area, but instead tries to cover a lot of ground using assorted examples and code snipets. Many of the examples may or may not be useful depending on what you're trying to do.

The book isn't geared towards total novices, as it doesn't really start from ground zero. The author assumes you know the hardware side of things, how to run a development project and the basics of working in C. There are two chapters that sort of gloss over the C language, but they're not complete enough for a novice. Unfortunately, he doesn't go into many specifics in those chapters on how C applies to a embedded project so they're kind of a waste of ink.

All in all, I don't think this book is worth anywhere near its ...list price. If you're interested in the Motorola M68HC05, HC08, HC11, HC12 or HC16, however, it might be worthwhile for some readers.

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Summary: Title Should Be: Programming Motorola Microcontrollers
Review: This book starts out with 120 pages of fluff C - mediocre at best and NOT why I bought the book. Then it discusses briefly what microcontrollers are - seemed more like a bunch of scattered notes on the topic thrown together - again NOT why I bought the book. Then it dives into Motorola chips and spends many pages talking about them - NOT why I bought this book. Then the author uses really useless examples like sort routines (like that happens in microcontrollers a lot - better examples would have helped here) to illustrate whatever it was he was trying to illustrate. Over all the book had the feel that the author tossed a bunch of lecture notes together, some poor cut and paste C examples in the beginning and then just simply got lost in his mission to show us how to program microcontrollers in C. The reason I bought this book was to learn what I could and could not do with C. I wanted to find out where C ended and assembly code "had" to take over. I wanted good in-line programming techniques, addressing schemes, code techniques, the best ways to implement monitors, slick ways to manipulate registers.. This book was about Motorola chips and some strange examples of how to program them. The book should NOT be called Programming Microcontrollers in C - maybe something like, Some Touchy Feely Intro To C and Motorola Chips With Sort Functions.

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Summary: NOT a book about writing C code for microcontrollers
Review: This book starts out with 120 pages of fluff C - mediocre at best and NOT why I bought the book. Then it discusses briefly what microcontrollers are - seemed more like a bunch of scattered notes on the topic thrown together - again NOT why I bought the book. Then it dives into Motorola chips and spends many pages talking about them - NOT why I bought this book. Then the author uses really useless examples like sort routines (like that happens in microcontrollers a lot - better examples would have helped here) to illustrate whatever it was he was trying to illustrate. Over all the book had the feel that the author tossed a bunch of lecture notes together, some poor cut and paste C examples in the beginning and then just simply got lost in his mission to show us how to program microcontrollers in C. The reason I bought this book was to learn what I could and could not do with C. I wanted to find out where C ended and assembly code "had" to take over. I wanted good in-line programming techniques, addressing schemes, code techniques, the best ways to implement monitors, slick ways to manipulate registers.. This book was about Motorola chips and some strange examples of how to program them. The book should NOT be called Programming Microcontrollers in C - maybe something like, Some Touchy Feely Intro To C and Motorola Chips With Sort Functions.