Skip to content

Glossary of Terms

The Glossary of Terms provides definitions and explanations of key concepts and terminology used throughout NECTO Studio and embedded development. This section is designed to help both beginners and experienced developers understand specific terms and jargon.

Here you will find clear, concise descriptions of technical terms, acronyms, and important concepts to aid your comprehension and usage of NECTO Studio.

Refer to the Glossary whenever you encounter unfamiliar terms to enhance your understanding and streamline your development process.

Wordbook

  • ADC (Analog-to-Digital Converter): A device that converts analog signals into digital data.
  • ADC Resolution: The smallest change in analog input that can be detected by an ADC, often measured in bits.
  • ANSI Pack Bitfields: A method of packing data structures in memory to save space.
  • API (Application Programming Interface): A set of functions and procedures allowing the creation of applications that access features or data of an operating system, application, or other services.
  • Assembler: A program that translates assembly language into machine code.
  • Assembly Language: A low-level programming language that uses symbolic code and is specific to a computer architecture.
  • Bare Metal Programming: Writing software that runs directly on the hardware without an operating system.
  • Bare Metal: Software that runs directly on the hardware without an operating system.
  • Bitfield: A data structure used in programming to store multiple, small values in a single variable.
  • Bootloader Mode: A special mode that allows a microcontroller to be programmed with new firmware.
  • Bootloader: A small program that loads the main firmware of a device during its startup process.
  • Breakpoint: A marker in the code where execution will pause during debugging.
  • Build System: The suite of tools and scripts used to compile and link source code into executable programs.
  • Bus: A communication system that transfers data between components inside a computer or between computers.
  • Cache Memory: A small, fast memory location close to the CPU of an MCU used to temporarily hold instructions and data that the CPU is likely to reuse.
  • CAN (Controller Area Network): A robust vehicle bus standard designed to allow microcontrollers and devices to communicate with each other in applications without a host computer.
  • Capacitive Touchscreen: A type of touchscreen that detects touch through the electrical properties of the human body.
  • Checksum: A value used to verify the integrity of data.
  • Clock Speed: The rate at which a microcontroller or processor executes instructions, typically measured in MHz or GHz.
  • CMake: A tool for managing the build process of software projects.
  • Compilation: The process of converting source code into machine code that can be executed by a computer's CPU.
  • Compiler Optimization: Techniques used by compilers to improve the performance and efficiency of the generated machine code.
  • Compiler Optimization: Techniques used by compilers to improve the performance or reduce the size of the compiled code.
  • Compiler: A program that converts source code into executable code.
  • Concurrency: The ability of a system to handle multiple operations or tasks simultaneously.
  • Cortex-M: A family of ARM processors designed for microcontrollers and embedded systems.
  • CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check): A method of detecting accidental changes/errors in communication channels.
  • Cross-Compilation: The process of compiling code on one platform to be executed on a different platform.
  • DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter): A device that converts digital data into an analog signal.
  • Debugger Breakpoint: A tool in debugging that allows you to pause program execution at a specific point.
  • Debugger: A tool that allows developers to test and debug their code.
  • Debugging: The process of identifying and removing errors from computer hardware or software.
  • Development Board: A printed circuit board with a microcontroller and peripherals used for development and prototyping.
  • DMA (Direct Memory Access): A feature that allows hardware subsystems to access the main system memory independently of the CPU.
  • EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory): A type of non-volatile memory used to store small amounts of data that must be saved when power is removed.
  • EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory): A type of non-volatile memory used to store small amounts of data that must be saved when power is removed.
  • Embedded C: A set of language extensions for the C programming language to support embedded processors.
  • Embedded System: A computer system with a dedicated function within a larger mechanical or electrical system.
  • Event-Driven Programming: A programming paradigm in which the flow of the program is determined by events such as user actions, sensor outputs, or message passing.
  • FAT (File Allocation Table): A file system used on many computer systems and memory cards.
  • Firmware Update: The process of installing a new version of firmware on a device.
  • Firmware: Permanent software programmed into a read-only memory.
  • Flash Memory: A type of non-volatile storage that can be electrically erased and reprogrammed.
  • Floating-Point Arithmetic: Arithmetic operations performed on floating-point numbers.
  • FPU (Floating Point Unit): A part of a computer system specially designed to carry out operations on floating point numbers.
  • GDB Server: A program that allows you to use the GNU Debugger to debug programs running on remote systems.
  • GPIO (General-Purpose Input/Output): Pins on a microcontroller that can be used for input or output.
  • Header File: A file that contains declarations of functions and macros to be shared between several source files.
  • Hex File: A file format that conveys binary information in ASCII text form, often used for programming microcontrollers.
  • I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit): A multi-master, multi-slave, packet-switched, single-ended, serial communication bus.
  • IDE (Integrated Development Environment): A software suite that combines the basic tools developers need to write and test software.
  • IntelliSense: A coding assistant feature that provides code suggestions and autocompletion.
  • Interrupt: A signal that temporarily halts the CPU’s current operations to execute a higher-priority task.
  • ISP (In-System Programming): The ability of programming a microcontroller while it is in the end product.
  • ISR (Interrupt Service Routine): A special block of code associated with a specific interrupt condition.
  • JTAG (Joint Test Action Group): A standard for verifying designs and testing printed circuit boards after manufacture.
  • LCD (Liquid Crystal Display): A flat-panel display technology commonly used in TVs and computer monitors.
  • Linker: A tool that combines object files into a single executable program.
  • LVGL (Light and Versatile Graphics Library): An open-source graphics library for embedded systems.
  • Memory Map: A diagram that shows the allocation of memory addresses to different functions or variables in a program.
  • Microcontroller Unit (MCU): A compact integrated circuit designed to govern a specific operation in an embedded system.
  • Microprocessor: A computer processor on a microchip, responsible for executing instructions.
  • mikroSDK 2.0: A comprehensive software development kit provided by MIKROE for developing embedded applications.
  • NAND Flash: A type of non-volatile storage technology that does not require power to retain data.
  • NECTO Studio: An integrated development environment (IDE) by MIKROE for embedded systems development.
  • Non-Volatile Memory (NVM): Memory that retains data even when powered off.
  • NVIC (Nested Vectored Interrupt Controller): A part of ARM Cortex-M processors that handles interrupt processing.
  • Opcode: The portion of a machine language instruction that specifies the operation to be performed.
  • Optimization Level: A compiler setting that determines how much optimization is applied to the generated machine code.
  • OS (Operating System): System software that manages hardware and software resources and provides common services for computer programs.
  • PCB (Printed Circuit Board): A board used for connecting electronic components together.
  • Peripheral Interface: The method or protocol used to communicate between a microcontroller and external devices.
  • Planet Debug: A MIKROE service that allows developers to debug their code remotely on real hardware.
  • Power-On Reset: A type of reset that initializes the microcontroller when power is first applied.
  • Preprocessor: A program that processes source code before it is compiled, handling directives for conditional compilation, macro expansion, and file inclusion.
  • Protocol: A set of rules governing the exchange or transmission of data between devices.
  • Pull-up/Pull-down Resistor: Resistors used to ensure a pin is at a defined logic level when not actively driven.
  • PWM (Pulse Width Modulation): A method of reducing the average power delivered by an electrical signal, by effectively chopping it up into discrete parts.
  • RAM (Random Access Memory): A form of computer memory that can be read and changed in any order, typically used to store working data and machine code.
  • Real-Time Clock (RTC): A clock that keeps track of the current time and date, even when the system is powered off.
  • Real-Time Operating System (RTOS): An operating system intended to serve real-time application requests.
  • Register: A small amount of fast storage available directly within the CPU of an MCU.
  • ROM (Read-Only Memory): A type of non-volatile memory used in computers and other electronic devices to store data that should not be changed.
  • RTOS (Real-Time Operating System): An operating system intended to serve real-time applications that process data as it comes in, typically without buffer delays.
  • RTOS Kernel: The core component of a real-time operating system responsible for task scheduling and management.
  • RTOS Task: A unit of work or function managed by a real-time operating system.
  • Schematic: A graphical representation of an electrical circuit.
  • SDK (Software Development Kit): A collection of software development tools in one installable package.
  • Simulation: The process of testing software in a virtual environment that mimics the behavior of the hardware.
  • SoC (System on Chip): An integrated circuit that integrates all components of a computer or other electronic system into a single chip.
  • SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface): A synchronous serial communication interface specification used for short-distance communication in embedded systems.
  • SPI Flash: A type of flash memory that uses the SPI communication protocol.
  • Stack: A region of memory used for storing temporary data such as function parameters, return addresses, and local variables.
  • SWD (Serial Wire Debug): A two-wire protocol for debugging ARM-based microcontrollers.
  • Syntax Highlighting: A feature of text editors that displays source code in different colors and fonts according to the category of terms.
  • Timer: A peripheral that counts clock pulses and generates interrupts or other signals at specific intervals.
  • Toolchain: A set of programming tools used to create a software application, including a compiler, linker, and debugger.
  • UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter): A hardware device for asynchronous serial communication in which the data format and transmission speeds are configurable.
  • UART Terminal: A tool used to send and receive data over UART communication.
  • USART (Universal Synchronous/Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter): A device that handles the transmission and reception of serial data.
  • USB (Universal Serial Bus): An industry standard for cables, connectors, and protocols for connection, communication, and power supply between computers and electronic devices.
  • Vector Table: A table of pointers to interrupt service routines and exception handlers.
  • VTFT (Visual TFT): MIKROE’s proprietary graphics library for designing graphical user interfaces.
  • Watchdog Timer (WDT): A timer that triggers a system reset if the main program neglects to periodically service it, used to recover from software malfunctions.
  • Watchdog Timer Reset: A reset triggered by a watchdog timer when the main program fails to reset the timer within a specified period.
  • Watchdog Timer: A hardware timer that resets the microcontroller if it runs for too long without being reset by the software, used to recover from software malfunctions.
  • Wi-Fi: A technology for wireless local area networking.