What programming languages are compatible with STM32H7?

1. C and C++

C and C++ are the most widely used programming languages for embedded systems, including the STM32H7 series. These languages provide a good balance between performance, control over hardware, and ease of use. The main reasons for their popularity in programming STM32H7 include:

• Low-Level Hardware Access: C and C++ allow direct manipulation of hardware registers, providing precise control over the microcontroller’s peripherals.
• Real-Time Performance: The deterministic nature of C/C++ ensures that code execution is predictable, which is essential for real-time applications.
• Extensive Tool Support: STMicroelectronics provides a comprehensive development environment, including STM32CubeIDE, which supports C and C++ programming.
• Portability: C and C++ code written for one STM32 microcontroller can often be easily ported to other STM32 series microcontrollers with minimal changes.

2. Assembly Language

Assembly language, while not as commonly used as C/C++, is another option for programming the STM32H7 microcontroller. It provides the highest level of control over the hardware, making it suitable for highly time-sensitive applications where every clock cycle counts. The advantages of using assembly language with STM32H7 include:

• Maximum Efficiency: Assembly language allows for hand-optimized code that can fully exploit the microcontroller’s capabilities.
• Precise Timing Control: When exact timing is critical, such as in certain signal processing applications, assembly language can be indispensable.
• Minimal Overhead: Assembly code can minimize the overhead that might be introduced by higher-level languages, leading to faster execution.

However, programming in assembly is more complex and time-consuming, which limits its use to specific scenarios where performance gains outweigh the development effort.

3. Python (MicroPython)

MicroPython is a lean implementation of Python designed for microcontrollers, including the STM32H7 series. While not as fast as C/C++, MicroPython offers several advantages:

• Ease of Use: Python is known for its simplicity and readability, making it easier for developers to write and debug code.
• Rapid Development: MicroPython allows for quick prototyping and testing, which can be beneficial in the early stages of development.
• Interactive Programming: MicroPython’s REPL (Read-Eval-Print Loop) allows developers to interactively test and modify code on the fly, which can be a powerful tool for debugging and experimentation.

MicroPython is particularly useful for educational purposes and for applications where development speed and ease of use are more critical than raw performance.

4. Rust

Rust is an emerging programming language in the embedded systems domain, known for its safety features, especially memory safety, without sacrificing performance. While still gaining traction in embedded development, Rust offers some compelling benefits for STM32H7 programming:

• Memory Safety: Rust’s ownership model ensures that memory errors such as null pointer dereferencing and buffer overflows are caught at compile-time, reducing the chances of runtime errors.
• Concurrency: Rust’s concurrency model makes it easier to write safe concurrent code, which is beneficial in complex embedded systems.
• Growing Ecosystem: The embedded Rust community is rapidly expanding, and libraries like cortex-m and stm32h7xx-hal are being actively developed to support STM32 microcontrollers.

Rust is suitable for developers who prioritize safety and are willing to invest in learning a relatively new language in the embedded systems space.

5. Ada

Ada is a programming language designed for high-integrity and safety-critical systems, often used in aerospace, automotive, and industrial control systems. Ada’s features align well with the requirements of STM32H7 microcontrollers in certain applications:

• Strong Typing: Ada’s strong type system helps catch errors early in the development process, reducing the risk of bugs in critical systems.
• Concurrency Support: Ada provides built-in support for concurrency, which can be useful in real-time systems where multiple tasks need to be managed simultaneously.
• Reliability: Ada is designed for systems where reliability and safety are paramount, making it a strong candidate for mission-critical STM32H7 applications.

Although Ada is not as mainstream as C or C++, it is worth considering for projects where safety and reliability are non-negotiable.