Contents
- Introduction
- System Requirements
- List of Files
- Installation
- Technical Support
- Licence Agreement
- Ordering Information
- Acknowledgements
1. Introduction
Astrobe for Cortex-M4 is a fast and responsive integrated development environment for Windows. It is designed to be used to write software to run on the powerful ARM Cortex-M4 family of microcontrollers. The programming language supported by Astrobe is Oberon.
Oberon is a general-purpose, procedural programming language. Its type-safety, module consistency-checking and predictable code-generation features allow you to develop efficient, reliable, high- and low-level 32-bit native code embedded software without the arbitrary quirks and complexities associated with using C or assembler.
See the Astrobe for Cortex-M0, M3, M4, M7 Feature Matrix on the Astrobe website for a full summary of features.
2. System Requirements
Astrobe is supported on Microsoft Windows 10 and Windows 11.
- Adobe Acrobat Reader (or other software that can read PDF files). For proper display of tables uncheck the Acrobat's Preferences > Page Display > Enhance thin lines option.
3. List of Files
After running the Astrobe setup installation setup program the following files are created in the program folder that you are asked to specify:
AstrobeM4.exe | Main program |
AstrobeM4.chm | Help file |
Oberon.xml | Syntax-highlighting schema |
Syntax.chm | Oberon Syntax Quick Reference |
OberonReport.pdf | Oberon Language Report |
OberonGuide.pdf | Oberon Programming Guide |
OberonCortex-M.pdf | Oberon for Cortex-M Microcontrollers |
ReadMe.htm | This file |
UninstallAstrobeM4.exe | Uninstall program |
UninstallAstrobeM4.log | Uninstall support file |
AstrobeCompile.exe | Command-line compiler |
AstrobeLink.exe | Command-line linker |
AstrobeBuild.exe | Command-line builder |
The subfolders Configs, Examples and Lib which contain the configuration files, examples and library modules are created in the data folder that you are asked to specify. This defaults to DriveLetter:AstrobeM4-v9.3 where DriveLetter: is the name of the drive from which the installation executable is being run.
The examples are described in the Examples ReadMe file on the Astrobe website.
The library modules are described in the Library Modules chapter in the Astrobe for Cortex-M Microcontrollers document on the Windows Start > Astrobe menu and the Astrobe Help menu.
4. Installation
Astrobe for Cortex-M4 is distributed as a self-installing file:
- AstrobeM4ProfSetup.exe
Install Astrobe as follows:
- Login to your system using an account with Administrator privileges that you will
use when running Astrobe.
- Exit all Windows programs.
- Run the Astrobe setup file e.g. AstrobeM4ProfSetup.exe
- Press the Next button, and follow the prompts.
- When the installation program has completed, run Astrobe by selecting it from the
Windows Start menu.
5. Technical Support
If you have any technical questions related to Astrobe, the Oberon language, or programming Cortex-M microcontrollers using Astrobe go to the Astrobe Technical Support webpage for details of how to get support.
Back to Contents6. License Agreement
You should carefully read the following terms and conditions before using this software. Your use of this software indicates your acceptance of this license agreement and disclaimer.
Professional Edition
A Professional Edition of Astrobe for Cortex-M4 may be installed on one or more computers but may only be used by the single person in whose name it is registered. It is licensed for commercial use.
DISCLAIMER
Astrobe for Cortex-M4 is used entirely at the risk of the user. Although great care has been taken to eliminate defects during the development of Astrobe for Cortex-M4, it is not claimed to be fault-free. No claims are made regarding its correctness, reliability or fitness for any particular purpose. The Author shall not be liable for errors contained herein or for incidental or consequential damages, loss of data or personal injury in connection with furnishing, performance, or use of this material.
7. Ordering Information
For details of prices and payment options and to place an order click on Order Astrobe on-line or go to the Astrobe website at:
and then select Order from the menu. Follow the instructions there.
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8. Acknowledgements
We greatly appreciate the valuable support and encouragement that Niklaus Wirth gave to us during the initial development of Astrobe. He provided us with the original Oberon source code of the Arm compiler, linker, MAU and FPU libraries that formed the basis of the corresponding components of Astrobe and allowed us to include the Oberon Language Report with distributions of Astrobe.
Chris Burrows
Development Manager
CFB Software
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