Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- arduino:arduino_without_a_bootloader [2020/01/04 02:46] – [Getting your bootloader back] 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 =====