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--- arduino:arduino_without_a_bootloader [2020/01/04 02:28] – [Procedures] mithat
+++ arduino:arduino_without_a_bootloader [2020/02/27 18:13] – [Blessed is the bootloader] mithat
@@ Line 4: / Line 4: @@
 One of the things that simplifies Arduino development is its [[https://www.arduino.cc/en/Hacking/Bootloader|bootloader]]. A bootloader is a small program that resides at the code start point of a microcontroller and manages what happens immediately on startup or reset of the device.
-In the case of the Arduino, the bootloader is used to let you upload new programs over a standard serial interface. This is done in conjunction with the serial-to-USB converter included on the Uno, Nano, and others, or with an external serial-to-USB converter in the case of the Pro Mini and similar. When you power up or reset one of these Arduino boards, the bootloader starts running and checks to see if a new program is coming in on the serial line. If it is, it writes the new program to the "user program" area of flash memory, that is, the area of flash not reserved for the bootloader. If no new program is incoming, it jumps execution to the start of the "user program" area.
+In the case of the Arduino, the bootloader lets you upload new programs over a standard serial interface. This is done in conjunction with the serial-to-USB converter included on the Uno, Nano, and others, or with an external serial-to-USB converter in the case of the Pro Mini and similar. When you power up or reset one of these Arduino boards, the bootloader starts running and checks to see if a new program is coming in on the serial line. If it is, it writes the new program to the "user program" area of flash memory, that is, the area of flash not reserved for the bootloader. If no new program is incoming, it jumps execution to the start of the "user program" area.
-But a bootloader isn't the only way to program the microcontrollers on these boards. Instead, you can use an external programming device (a.k.a, //programmer//) that connects your computer to multi-function programming pins on the microcontroller. In fact, the bootloader is itself nothing more than a small program that somehow has to get itself into the microcontroller's flash storage. Programming factory-fresh ATmega microcontrollers with an Arduino bootloader is typically done with such a programmer.
+But a bootloader isn't the only way to program the microcontrollers on these boards. Instead, you can use an external programming device (a.k.a, //programmer//) that connects your computer to multi-function programming pins on the microcontroller and uploads code directly into flash storage. In fact, the bootloader is itself nothing more than a small program that needs to be written into the microcontroller's flash. Programming factory-fresh ATmega microcontrollers with an Arduino bootloader is typically done with such a programmer.
-So while it's entirely possible to program many Arduino boards without using a bootloader, you would have to tie up one USB port on your computer for programming and another for serial communication. You would also need separate hardware for programming the board and for running serial communications. So for this and other reasons, the bootloader is a great convenience.
+So while it's entirely possible to program many Arduino boards without using a bootloader, you would have to tie up one USB port on your computer for the programmer and another for serial communication (if you are using serial communication). You would also need separate hardware for both of these. So for this and other reasons, the bootloader is a great convenience.
 ===== Cursed is the bootloader =====
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 </WRAP>
-Directly uploading a sketch to an Uno or Nano using a USBtinyISP is very straightforward:
+Directly uploading a sketch to an Uno or Nano using a USBtinyISP is pretty straightforward:
   - Configure your IDE to use the USBtinyISP: //Tools > Programmer "xxx"// and select //USBtinyISP//
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 When you upload a program using a programmer, you overwrite the bootloader. This means your board will no longer work with the conventional //Sketch > Upload// command in the IDE. However, getting the bootloader back is straightforward.
-Uploading a bootloader to your micro is almost identical to uploading a program using a programmer. The only difference is that instead of uploading a program using //Sketch > Upload Using Programmer//, you upload the appropriate bootloader for your board using //Tools > Burn Bootloader//. As was the case when uploading programs, before you upload the bootloader, you must confirm that //Tools > Board// and //Tools > Processor// fields are set appropriately for your board.
+Uploading a bootloader to your micro is almost identical to uploading a program using a programmer. The only difference is that instead of uploading a program using //Sketch > Upload Using Programmer//, you upload the appropriate bootloader for your board using //Tools > Burn Bootloader//. As was the case when uploading programs, before you upload the bootloader, you must confirm that //Tools > Board// and //Tools > Processor// or other options are set appropriately for your board.
 After uploading the bootloader, you should be able to use //Sketch > Upload// again just as you always have.