Best way to get started with programming other things than your computer? [closed]

Answer 1

Maybe start with small microcontroller projects. This may be helpful: http://www.kmitl.ac.th/~kswichit%20/

Answer 2

It's not a microcontroller, but the Lego Minstorm is a good place to start learning the ins and outs of embedded programming.

Answer 3

I'd look into stuff like (unofficial) GBA development or the like, sure there are "Libraries" but you can go digging and just stick bits into specific addresses and make stuff happen. You can't get more "No API" then raw memory-mapped hardware access.

Answer 4

What sort of things do you want to program?

Sounds like you might be interested in MAKE magazine, and some of their compilations, such as Making Things Talk. With a little bit of experience with basic electronics, you can follow their recipes to do all sorts of odd and interesting things. When you get more comfortable, you can start modding their designs.

Good luck, :)

Answer 5

If you would like to create a cool gadget using a microcontroller as a learning experience, you can look at the starter kits from Rabbit (website). They have a variety of low-cost kits with 8-bit microcontrollers to get started with a particular technology.

Answer 6

Buy yourself an HP 10C Calculator, and then program all those "programming 101" math algorithms using its insanely small but practical calculator language. Reminds me of assembler, but it's not.