Cosa, an Object-Oriented Alternative Framework for AVR Boards

Cosa is an object-oriented framework that provides an interesting alternative to the standard Wiring/Arduino framework. As at today, it supports the AVR-based boards. 

Starting release 147, embedXcode+ provides support for the Cosa framework.

Let's see how the standard blinky sketch is handled on each framework.
Cosa seems to be no longer maintained, as the last version 1.20 was released almost three years ago, on 30 January 2016.

Arduino Sketch

Cosa Sketch
The core library Arduino includes all the basic elements.
Two libraries are required:
  • the core Watchdog library provide a timer, and
  • the OutputPin library for the pin of the LED used as output.
The pin is defined by a number.
The pin is an OutputPin object, instantiated with the Board::LED.
The pin is initialized as output in the setup().
As the pin has been already defined, setup() only initializes the main Watchdog.
Because Cosa is fully documented, help is automatically provided in Xcode when typing.
The main loop() calls the blink() function.
delay() is a function.
The main loop() calls the blink() function.
delay() is a function of the Watchdog object.
Everything is managed by functions.
pin is an object, with two functions on() and off().
delay() is a function of the Watchdog object.
Another example of the close integration provided in embedXcode. Here, the list of the functions for the object pin.

Conclusion

This quick introduction shows the main difference between the two frameworks: Cosa only uses objects.

embedXcode leverages the excellent documentation of Cosa by providing online help when typing.

Links

Posted:
Updated: 16 Jan 2019