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I am a software developer (coming from Java and Javascript/web-app programming) and I'm very interested in programming microcontrollers like Arduino or Espruino. The problem is I have little to no knowledge about electronics. When it comes to circuit diagrams, etc., I have no idea what it means.

What do you recommend to get started with the basic electronics on a project level? I took a look at starter kits like the Fritzing Creator Kit. Would this be a good starting point? Or are there any other good starting point like a Youtube channel, blog, any good website...?

Null
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Sebastian
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  • start with PIC or ATMEL 8bit /16 bit microcontroller...follow the course called "electronic interface " in edx.org – masternone Sep 26 '15 at 10:23

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Well that depends on what family of microcontroller you want to work. You definitely need development board/ starter kits to begin microcontroller programming. If you want to go for PIC MCUs, Explorer 16 board are best or you can go for other development boards for PIC.

If you want to start with AVR MCUs, then purchase an AVR development board.

Arduino Uno is also a good starter kit to start your programming. There are many tutorials available online.

If you don't want to purchase any starter kit and want to simulate your design in Proteus Simulator, then this blog can you help you.!

You probably need books to understand microcontroller's & their programming. For AVR read this & for PIC go for this and for any other MCU

Aircraft
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There are many online sources available. I suggest you look at the MOOC platforms edx.org and coursera.org. Below is list of suggested coursers ordered from beginner to advance.

The above list is a short list of suggested free online coursers. The cost for following one or two of these courses can be managed under US $100. This should get you started.

References:

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Mahendra Gunawardena
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I for one am using the books Make: Electronics, Electronics for Dummies, and Electronics all in one for Dummies. I am learning about circuits that way. I am just a beginner hobbyist though so I don't know any better.

By the way, I also have the Arduino Uno Starter Kit which comes with a project book and I think it's a good start if you want to start learning about Arduino directly.

But like I said, I'm a total beginner, so take my answer with a sack of salt.

user27847
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The 8051 Microcontroller and Embedded Systems Using Assembly and C (English) 2nd Edition by Muhammad Ali Mazidi

is very good book to start with.It explains Microcontroller and its application with Assembly and Embedded C in very simplified and detailed manner..

Some other book which I would recommend ...

  • Embedded Systems Design by Arnold S. Berger

  • The Art of Designing Embedded Systems

Iamat8
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  • How can something be both "very simplified and detailed manner"... I wonder. – Fizz Oct 26 '15 at 09:00
  • You can download that book here: https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CCEQFjAAahUKEwjLoN2i4t_IAhXDQhQKHUwsDNg&url=http%3A%2F%2Fjsjyl.chd.edu.cn%2FThe_8051_Microcontroller_and_Embedded_Systems_Using_Assembly_and_C.pdf&usg=AFQjCNF90Q39ThgQ10lbyQp_Mn8wyJ3XjQ&sig2=iXrJLl9sC68RWRMVy52JUA&cad=rja and I would have thought that any book that has a pdf is probably not up to date or very good. Do you see the problem in recommending books - it's just an opinion and this site is really not about opinions. – Andy aka Oct 26 '15 at 09:00
  • @Andy aka: you can download many books from Chinese sites... which probably don't give two renminbi about copyright. – Fizz Oct 26 '15 at 09:02
  • @RespawnedFluff yes I am aware of that. – Andy aka Oct 26 '15 at 09:03
  • @Andy aka: The edu.cn link you gave (via google redirect) is a bit of bait-and-switch: only the cover is from that book... the rest is a bunch of slides by someone else... although it seems he used the book as textbook for those course slides. – Fizz Oct 26 '15 at 09:05
  • @RespawnedFluff good job this question has been closed down then! – Andy aka Oct 26 '15 at 09:11