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Parallel Programming For the Arduino

blackbearnh writes "As more non-traditional programmers start playing around with embedded platforms like the Arduino, the limitations and complications of interrupt-driven event handling can become an annoying barrier to entry. Now a group of academics have ported the parallel-processing language Occam to the Arduino. In an interview on O'Reilly Answers, Matt Jadud of Allegheny College describes how Occam helps artists using the Arduino in their installations, and how the advent of low-cost computing platforms is changing the educational experience for proto-makers in school. 'Basically, an artist or a tinkerer or a hacker has a goal. They don't really care about learning Occam. They don't care about how this language is different from C. They just want to make a cat door that keeps their cat out when the cat comes back with a mouse. Or they want to make some kind of installation piece. Trying to focus as much on the user and the possible goals they might have is what's motivating our work right now.'"

4 of 140 comments (clear)

  1. occam by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    occam iits sh like all lel lanparalguages.

  2. Re:That kind of thinking... by Bigjeff5 · · Score: 4, Funny

    I've been pushing for that for years! All children should have a proper engineering degree before playing with legos! I mean, have you seen what some kids come up with? Totally unworkable.

    --
    Security is mostly a superstition... Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. - Helen Keller
  3. Parallax Propeller by BasilBrush · · Score: 5, Funny

    The best option for people who want to learn about parallel programming on an embedded processor is the Parallax Propeller. Genuine 8 core system on a chip, programmed to the bare metal. And so much fun.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parallax_Propeller

  4. Re:Keep a cat out when it has a mouse?? by ari_j · · Score: 4, Funny

    You embed RFID tags in the mice and then keep the door locked if one is detected.