Appendix E. Arduino and AVR Software Development Tools
This book has focused primarily on the Arduino IDE and the AVR-GCC toolchain, but those aren’t the only tools available, by any means. There are many different tools for assembling, compiling, linking, and loading executable code into an AVR MCU. Some are open source, others are commercial, and some are more capable and polished than others.
Compilers/Assemblers
- Atmel AVR Toolchain for Windows
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An open source suite of tools, including an assembler, ported to Windows. Includes both GNU-licensed software and tools developed by Atmel.
- AVR-GCC
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A full suite of toolchain components for cross-compiling AVR executable code from C or C++ sources. See Chapter 6 for an overview.
- SDCC
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An open source ANSI C compiler targeted for a variety of microcontrollers.
- WinAVR
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An open source ports of components from the AVR-GCC toolchain to the Windows environment. See Chapter 6 for an overview.
Integrated Development Environments (IDEs)
- Arduino IDE
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The official IDE for Arduino hardware from the Arduino.cc team. Runs on Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X. Open source and free to download. See Chapter 5 for an overview.
- Atmel Studio 7
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Integrated C/C++ compiler and IDE. Free to download; for Windows 7 or later only. See Chapter 6 for an overview.
- Eclipse Plugin
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An open source AVR-oriented plug-in for the popular Eclipse open source IDE. Eclipse is Java-based and runs on Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X.
- IAR Embedded Workbench
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Highly integrated suite of proprietary tools. License pricing by quotation, trial version available (30 days). Windows only.
- MikroElektronika mikroC
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Commercial ANSI C compiler with IDE. Single-user license is $249; for Windows XP and later.
- ImageCraft JumpStart
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Commercial ANSI C compiler. Based partly on GPL open source software. $249 for a “standard” license for Windows. License dongle available.
- Rowley CrossWorks
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Commercial multiplatform ANSI C compiler with IDE. License cost varies from $150 to $2,250, depending on use of the product. Will run on Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux.
Programming Tools
- PlatformIO
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Command line–based AVR-GCC toolchain interface for Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X. See Chapter 6 for a brief description.
- Ino
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Command line–based AVR-GCC toolchain interface for Linux and Mac OS X. See Chapter 6 for a brief description.
Simulators
- AMC VMLAB
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Freeware graphical AVR simulator for Windows.
- GNU AVR Simulator
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Open source AVR simulator with Motif-based graphical interface. Runs on Linux/Unix.
- Labcenter Proteus
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Novel schematic capture–based AVR simulator. Full graphical interface. Licenses start at $248. Windows only.
- OshonSoft AVR Simulator
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Graphical AVR simulator with optional add-on modules. Personal license is $32.
- SimulAVR
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Open source command line–based AVR simulator for Linux/Unix systems.