Arduino Programming debugging help

Question

Hello, I am new to the world of Arduino, but loving finding out all about it and experimenting.

I would like some advice on debugging programs on the IDE, from what I can see there is no sort of step through function to trace program execution, and no way to track the contents of registers and setting of pins (eg, as on the PICAXE ide).

Is there something I am missing?

Thank you.

Steve

rew · Accepted Answer

Hi Steve, I debug code on microcontrollers with print statments. Whenever I have a doubt about some variable, I will print it. Of course that often triggers me wanting to know the next (or previous) variable, so I'll have to recompile and download. But that's often very quick, so I don't mind too much. loop () { static int t; if (t >= 1000) t = 0; printf ("pins on portA are: %x
", PINA); } else t++; delay_ms (1); } (I don't remember what the delay function should be called under the arduino environment. I think printf just works like this. ) Oh, and place an "serial.init (9600)'" in the initialization code. Then you can use the serial monitor to check for debug outptu.

R_Phoenix · Answer

This might be a bit advanced for you, but the Arduino uses an ATMEL AVR chips. So you could program/Debug with AVR Studio Software,

http://www.atmel.com/tools/ATMELAVRSTUDIO.aspx?Products=010%20Atmel%20AVR%208-%20and%2032-bit%20Microcontrollers

However doing so will require a higher knowladge of C/C++ and you will need a programer to load and debug your programs. Basically, it will no longer be an Arduino.