Why We Use Arduino Instead of Microcontroller
Most microcontrollers are notorious for being hard to program. The goal of the Arduino board is to design an accessible way of programming and interacting with the microcontroller world. Arduino allows software developers to enter microcontroller programming in a much easier way. We just need an integrated development software commonly referred to as IDE to program the Arduino board.
Following are some main reasons to use Arduino instead of Microcontroller:
1. Arduino Fully Integrated Board: Arduino comes by default with all the peripherals needed to run a microcontroller such as crystal oscillator, FTDI chip for serial communication, different sources of power supply and a voltage regulator to give smooth voltage. We do not need to worry about connecting individual components to the microcontroller chip separately, it just requires a single board to buy and enter the microcontroller world. Arduino helps to focus on the main application part rather than focusing on building basic circuits for microcontrollers.
2. Programming an Arduino vs Microcontroller: Writing code for Arduino boards is a lot easier than microcontroller. Arduino boards are programmed using C/C++ language with some extra functionality, while microcontrollers need to be programmed using text-based programming such as C language and some Block based programming editors. For microcontrollers we must write code explicitly which needs to have proper understanding of microcontroller boards. On the other hand, Arduino board C language is user friendly and easier to learn.
3. Availability of Resources: Arduino is an open-source platform with extensive help available online in the form of code and libraries. Arduino comes with pretested hardware and their code in the form of libraries. Arduino has a lot of online support to help you in the journey of building your Arduino based project. While microcontrollers lack all these positive signs. To start working with a microcontroller one has to start on its own from building peripherals needed to run a microcontroller to writing first code all work to be done from scratch.
4. Open source and extensible hardware: Arduino is based on Atmel ATmega microcontrollers. All details of Arduino boards are freely available under a Creative Commons license, so any one can design a board of their choice, extending and improving the Arduino platform. Beginners can design breadboard versions of Arduino boards which helps them to understand how Arduino works and overall save money.
Difference between Arduino and Microcontroller
| Arduino | Microcontroller |
|---|---|
| Arduino is a complete development board that contains its own microcontrollers inside it along with other peripherals. | Microcontroller is a single chip that requires an external circuit to operate. |
| Arduino has a flexible range of voltage support as it has its own voltage regulators. | It can only operate at fixed voltage between 5V to 6.6V maximum. |
| Arduino has its own programming environment IDE. | Microcontrollers have their own programming tool according to type and manufacturer of microcontroller. |
| Arduino programming language is easy to use and learn. | Microcontrollers are hard to program; one must know the basics of microcontroller internal circuits. |
| There are many modules and hardware available in the market that can be integrated with Arduino to increase its functionality. | Added support for microcontrollers is very limited, sometimes we have to design our own circuit from scratch. |
Conclusion
Arduino is an integrated development board with its own microcontroller. Arduino family is based upon ATmega microcontroller, along with microcontroller chip Arduino contains all the supportive peripherals necessary to interact with microcontroller world however a single microcontroller has very limited options as we need to design circuit to run a microcontroller. Keeping in mind the above reasons Arduino is a preferable environment over microcontroller but if you are going to design industrial level products based upon microcontroller then be ready to say goodbye to Arduino very soon.
