Publisher's Synopsis
This book describes a microcontroller system with a footprint equal to that of a medium-size matchbox. Despite its miniature size, the MatchBox computer may be programmed using a PC and a higher programming language called MBL (MatchBox Language) which has its origins in BASIC and Pascal. A MatchBox Compiler is used to generate the intermediate code (MatchBox Interpreter Language) which may be transferred directly to an EEPROM on the MatchBox computer board. From then on, the board may also be used in stand-alone mode. The user program remains intact even after the supply is switched off, and may be modified thousands of times. Offering no fewer than 27 I/O lines, an on-board I2C interface and a CPU from the well-known 8051 family, the MatchBox BASIC computer is a multi-function piece of electronics at the heart of a complete development system. This book uses a step-by-step course style to teach you MBL programming with the aid of many practical examples. The Companion Disk included with this book contains all development software for the MatchBox BASTC computer; as well as a large number of examples. The book covers everything you will want to know about the hardware, software and applications which were specially developed for the MatchBox BASIC computer.
