Dean said:
I would like to program an 8051 using Java. I know this is a really bad
idea, especially since C is so much nicer and widely supported. I want
to teach microprocessors to my AP computer science class after the AP
test. FYI, the computer science test is in Java now, (not in C++
anymore). Learning another language isn't probable due to time
constraints and confusion. Any resources/ideas would be greatly
appreciated. Are there other chip sets other than the 8051 which support
Java programming? Thanx
Dean Krick.
I'm hearing you say you've got a group of computer science students who
don't have a lot of electronics hardware background, and you just want
them to have a quick overview of a hardware uC setup using a language
they're very familiar with. (Hopefully, without paying an arm and a
leg -- this is an academic environment.)
One thing that comes to mind for a quick&dirty intro to
microcontrollers for the Java over-enhanced is the Javelin Stamp, made
by our friends at Parallax.
http://www.parallax.com/javelin/index.asp
It's a hybrid circuit on an alumina substrate with DIP pins. It's got
the same footprint as the BASIC Stamp II, with an SX-type chip on
board. I believe the "compiler" software actually tokenizes the text
file containing the program, then sends the tokens to the Stamp to run.
Their setup will give you the I/O you need, and it uses a subset of
the Java language. The biggest downside is that you can't mix
higher-level language and assembler, like you can with most
microcontrollers or single board computers that are supported by a
higher-level language.
Parallax is very good at providing data and literature that's suitable
for newbies. They've also published a project book for the Javelin
Stamp which might be of help. Look on the website for more
information. (Disclaimer: I haven't used the Javelin Stamp myself.)
Once you've purchased a starter kit, you should be able to etch a
programming board and cobble up what's needed for individual students
or pairs to have a "programming pod" from what you've got laying
around.
Although it might be useful in giving students who know Java an intro
into microcontrollers, I don't see this becoming a very popular option
for uC high-level language compilers. I'd just tell your students to
take a flying leap into the C. But obviously, I don't teach. ;-)
Good luck
Chris
