[back7co]

It started with Arduino for me, which led me to Adafruit, who has gone on to make their own Open Source Hardware and the Circuit Python platform. The scene now is multi-vendor and very healthy, but I'll admit I stopped using Arduino when it was very hard to get a genuine one... which I think is a solved problem by buying direct now.

[suyash]

Adafruit has done to Arduino what Arduino did to Wiring. Adafruit is pushing it's own custom python called 'Circuit Python' for it's new hardware so there is no Arduino code examples to go with thier products anymore which is a big disaster.

We should stick to standard Arduino code that should run on all compatible Arduino devices.

[bri3d]

> We should stick to standard Arduino code that should run on all compatible Arduino devices.

Why should the entire hobbyist hardware space be an Arduino monoculture?

IMO the Arduino proto-language and framework are quite mediocre and it's time to move on. For beginners, embedded hardware has gotten much more powerful and more familiar languages can be employed. For more advanced users and larger projects, using a real RTOS with a real task system unlocks development velocity in a huge way.

I don't really love CircuitPython, but I don't see how this is comparable to the Wiring/Arduino situation, nor do I really see it as a step backwards.

[SOLAR_FIELDS]

The thing that bothers me about CircuitPython is that it’s unnecessarily fragmenting the ecosystem just for the gain of its creators. MicroPython was already around when it came about and it offers very little beyond what MicroPython already offers.

Arduino created the ecosystem, and while I agree it’s definitely a problematic way to approach things, I don’t really see a replacement for it in the C/C++ space currently. Using something like PlatformIO, which is almost objectively better from a developer perspective, is IMO not what I would consider a replacement. My hope is that eventually embedded Rust will have something beginner friendly like what Arduino offers but I don’t even see the nascent beginnings of something like that currently.

[OnionBlender]

I lost respect for Adafruit after their data leak and they announced they would not be emailing their customers to notify them about the data leak. Although they later changed their mind after people criticised their decision.

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/adafruit-disc...

[sokoloff]

Adafruit appears to still be supporting the Arduino IDE and ecosystem with their new boards.

https://blog.adafruit.com/2022/04/20/new-guide-adafruit-esp3... "Circuit Playground Express is the newest and best Circuit Playground board, with support for CircuitPython, MakeCode, and Arduino."

[skybrian]

Switching to PlatformIO is a nice way to go if you want a more sane version of Arduino package management.

[nerfhammer]

quasi-python is a lot easier for beginners than quasi-C imo

[HeyLaughingBoy]

Remember that Arduino is OSHW so clones & alternate implementations are everywhere at far lower cost. You're better off starting with a Black Pill or ESP32 based unit these days anyway. The overall ecosystem and common framework is far more valuable than any individual piece of hardware.

[NonNefarious]

I have an Uno, but I've moved away from Arduino because an Uno costs as much as a Raspberry Pi. Granted, they serve different purposes, but now there's the Pi Pico for $5.

Nothing against the Arduino folks; they really opened up a great avenue for exploration. But it doesn't seem cost-competitive at the moment.

[martin_a]

Have a look to Arduino "inspired" other boards, then. The ESP8266 comes to mind which brings onboard WIFI for around $5 or less and is probably a great start into anything IOT-like.

[NonNefarious]

Thanks. I do have an ESP32 board with an integrated OLED display in the Tupperware bin I've stuffed with microcontroller-related gadgets that I'm going to get to "any day now."