Programming on arduino

Can the arduino development board be used to program other non-arduino avr microcontrollers too?I'm buying the Arduino UNO R3 tomorrow.Also there's the leonardo which is newer but it seems to use the surface mounted Atmega32u4.So how do you implement this in the final pcb design.Like, I understand how it works with the usual DIP mcus,you plug it in,program it and then use it in the final circuit.But I don't understand how the surface mounted mcu is programmed and implemented in the circuit(physical implementation). I couldn't find the info I wanted online.Could please someone explain this or provide some relevant links?
Thanks.

Well!! you cannot use arduino as programmer to other controllers. The Atmega sitting on the arduino board is flashed with a bootloader code, which in turn updates a part of code to program it dynamically. its like an operating system to you and the codes that you put on is a program(say ms word) on it.
Surface mounted controllers are used to save space on a board. In reality, all controllers are made in a small package, then according to final result requirement, wires are pulled out to stretch the device. So you can say a DIP is having a small smd core and those smd core pins are extented to make it DIP.
SMD devices are programmed on board. they have same programming pins. so you connect the respective pins with your programmer and program it. Firmware that you write doesnot care for IC package.
So for smd its just that you lack portability of DIP, but you save a lot of space on your board.

Hi,

On a Uno you can program another chip with your final code, but you either have to buy a chip with a bootloader already programmed on to it or if you buy a totally blank chip you have to use the Tools Menu and Burn Bootloader before you can download your program code.

I dare say there are various complicated workarounds you can use to program a non bootloaded chip with the Arduino but in practical terms just buy one of the many cheap USB ISP programmers on Ebay. - I got one and they work well, though a little complicated to use.

They can put your code into the chip without a bootloader if you prefer and it also overcomes the SMD problem of the Leonardo.
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My choice would be still to go for the Uno R3 as it more Arduino code compatible and you can change the chip.

What about the freeduino/clone alternatives?Are they reliable/stable?In some cases they cost almost half as much as the equivalent arduino.

rock94 said:

What about the freeduino/clone alternatives?Are they reliable/stable?In some cases they cost almost half as much as the equivalent arduino.

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Hi,

It is often interesting to buy cheap clones and build your own.

However when you are starting a new area its best to buy a piece of decent kit that works straight out of the box so allowing you to learn the programming language etc while being assured the hardware is working fine.

The price of a genuine Uno is not much and think you would be pleased with it.

The clones you mention are half the price, but you omit that it needs a USB converter of sorts that is an additional cost and complication to get running.

A Uno and a tutorial like Jeremy Blums / Element 14 will have you busy for weeks.
**broken link removed**

Don't forget to follow the Arduino web site which has a helpful forum and, of course, loads of project code free to use.

Yeah..thanks for reminding me about the absence of an inbuilt programmer on the cheap boards and yes, a Uno board definitely does not cost much.I'll be buying it tomorrow.Thanks once again!