Hi Larry,
Thank you for the chance to learn more about FPGAs. It is an entirely new area for me.
I came across this article comparing them to microcontrollers: https://www.pcbasic.com/blog/fpga_vs_microcontroller.html.
 My "librarian instincts" kicked in regarding the source, so I can't fully vouch for the author's expertise, but I found the comparison helpful for a high-level overview.
For context on my background, I usually work with simpler tools to get students started, so I’m much more proficient with Micro:bits than Arduinos.
Looking forward to bridging that gap, mostly by osmosis, as I hang out at sudo.

~Ivan 


From: Larry Doolittle via sudo-discuss <sudo-discuss@sudoroom.org>
Sent: Tuesday, December 30, 2025 19:33
To: sudo-discuss@sudoroom.org <sudo-discuss@sudoroom.org>
Subject: [External Email] [sudo-discuss] learning about FPGAs
 
sudo friends -

In my recent visits to sudoroom, I've talked about and demonstrated FPGAs
(among other things).  I personally consider FPGAs to be an enabling
technology, like microcontrollers but with some key advantages.
They also have a reputation of being hard to learn.

There seems to be at least some interest in turning these chaotic discussions
into activities thoughtfully set up for teaching/learning.  Maybe the
word "class" won't apply.

I'll keep this first message short, although I certainly have ideas,
at least about how to get started.  I'm a huge believer in learning by doing.

I plan to be at sudoroom tonight (Dec 30), and we can have in-person discussions.
Maybe this thread can capture ideas in a less ephemeral form.

  - Larry
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