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Being quite new to MCUs and only having experience with the Arduino-environment using a couple of different MCUs I find myself at a complete loss of where to get libraries/code for operating external devices, like e.g. displays, gyroscopes, NFC-modules and so on. Under Arduino it’s so easy, you can just open the library-management window and search for something, install the library and off you go! It’s fast and efficient, but if one has to reinvent the wheel for every single god damn external device when using the STM32-Hal that’s inefficient and a whole effing lot of wasted effort.
Is there even any good place to look for such?
Let’s face it, STM32 is a platform originally born for professional usage, where often custom and commercial frameworks (such as Autosar in automotive, and so on) are used to develop applications. ST is trying to promote the STM32 also to makers, but I think that Arduino is still a good option for novices. The key success of Arduino is not the hardware (just an ATMega328p), but the whole software ecosystem.
I know your frustration, but apart from the HAL, you have to find or to develop code to drive custom ICs. Probably, the mbed platform can offer an experience close to the Arduino one. I don’t have experience with it (too much “hidden” stuff, IMHO), but it may help you simplifying the development process.
I know it’s intended for professional usage and I am not expecting the kind of ease-of-use as one would get from the Arduino-environment, if that’s what you were thinking. I wouldn’t be here if I was afraid of going through some effort to learn more, you know. I was merely asking if there is any good source for this kind of stuff or not. From your response I take it that you aren’t aware of anything such and as such I consider my question answered.
Unfortunately there is no “common” source, like the Arduino playground. You can find a lot of good libraries for really common devices but, most of the times, they are either built for the old STD peripheral library HAL or they are coded for a specific STM32. This often leads to unportable code, and you have to modify it to arrange it for your board.
At the end, an experienced embedded developer is someone with a large repository of proven-to-work libraries 😀
Aye, well, I’ll just try to write my own stuff from datasheets or port code over from Arduino/mbed/the old peripheral library if needed. I can always chuck it as more homework for myself. Getting some more practice can’t hurt…except when I’m banging my head on the wall when I can’t make things work! 😉
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