this post was submitted on 06 Feb 2026
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Programming

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Hello! First of all this is my first Lemmy post, so if I did anything wrong pls tell me!

Now, I'm 19yo in 4th semester of Computer Engineering, and while I'm doing good in college I realized that they give us good background in electronics (from the basics to microcontrollers. ICs. logical design, etc) but the programming aspect is high level and web-oriented (python. java, php)! I appreciate learning those, but I'm not interested on that but rather on a kernel/firmware development! So... I've been learning C for some weeks and while I do love it (mainly been learning from K&R and Zed A. Shaw - Learn C the Hard Way) I don't really know how to practice the skills required to do the proper bridge between hardware and software.

Basically, how does one begin their first real project to learn how to write drivers/baremetal and testing them? Thanks for reading and sorry if my question is dumb, I just feel a bit lost.

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[โ€“] owenfromcanada@lemmy.ca 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

No problem! I love chatting about this stuff, questions are always welcome!

Not sure what online retailers are available or what you have access to in Vemezuela, but something like this starter kit would be ideal. But anything you can get your hands on can be fun.

In general, you need:

  • a microcontroller
  • a way to program it
  • hardware to control and usually some sort of input or sensor

Even if you can't find a starter kit, finding a USB UART interface lets you hack into all sorts of devices (did that to reprogram a router a while back), as long as you're handy with a soldering iron. And like another commenter said, hardware emulators would let you get started writing and running code if you can't get hardware right away.

Hope it's fun! Feel free to DM with questions if you'd like.

[โ€“] wwaaaaa@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 1 day ago

I see! Well I'm going to take the suggestion and get a STM32 as another user pointed out and after some research I found it to be really good, and a kit with a bunch of resistors and other components, similar to the one you suggested but with less components (little by little I will buy more). I have actually done some soldering myself, not too complicated stuff I must admit, but atleast something. Also taking into account the DM since you are a welcoming person, thanks for helping me so much I have a way clearer plan now.