Hello World — In Three Days!

Three days to get Hello World running.

Not because the code was hard — it’s one line of ZX Basic, or a handful of C, but because the *tools* were hard.

New IDE on a new Windows PC. GitBash vs PowerShell fighting over which GCC to use. Vitis installer hanging silently on Ubuntu because `libncurses` wasn’t in the prerequisites list. An AI agent spinning in circles looking for a build output that was right there, just in the wrong directory.

Hello World isn’t a rite of passage you do once. It’s a tool. Every new compiler, every new target, every new IDE — you prove the chain before you write the real code. Debug one thing at a time.

This one ran on a Windows PC, a Linux PC, two different embedded Linux targets with different ARM cores, and CI. Hence three days. … More Hello World — In Three Days!

Slowing Down to Learn

Making time to learn while on the job is sometimes hard to justify. Not making time to learn is hard to defend.

There are two software tools I use frequently, but I know I am barely utilizing them to their full potential. I get good information from them to analyze problems and validate solutions. However, I know there is an additional level of capability that I haven’t had a chance to explore.

I’m making time to learn them better. Knowing my tools will help me speed up my debug efforts, and help me profile system performance. … More Slowing Down to Learn

The Perfect Debug UART port

The debug UART port is a critical tool in embedded systems for testing and monitoring. It relies on a solid serial connection for reliable operation. Implementing this port using a UART for serial communications is common, but it comes with challenges like TX/RX reversal and physical fitting issues. Using best practices can help ensure a reliable and effective debug UART port. … More The Perfect Debug UART port

It’s all a matter of perspective

The author reflects on three photos taken from the same spot, each capturing unique aspects of the surroundings. This prompts contemplation on perspective, bias, and perception, relating to both photography and embedded software development. The essay underscores the value of diverse knowledge and the need for alternative viewpoints in problem-solving. The location, Alameda Naval Air Station, is also described. … More It’s all a matter of perspective