4 ms·

Not having to deal with the monstrosity that is ESP-IDF is a huge benefit.

• grmnygrmny2 2y ago
  I find this so confusing - I’m working on a fairly large project using ESP-IDF and find it an absolute joy to use. Far better than any other microcontroller framework.
  • q3k 2y ago
    That's the main problem with it - it's a framework. I don't want a framework that takes over an entire project and mandates the use of a given build system, configuration system, source code structure, etc. This tends to break apart when you want to have more complex build steps; eg. matrix builds, subsequent build actions on artifacts, integration with codegen like string interning, multiple target platforms which are likely not an ESP32 (like a simulation target running on the host), integration with linters/checkers, integration with test frameworks, etc. And the technology choices ESP-IDF made are also... controversial (CMake and Kconfig! Plus a whole bunch of Python glue to actually make it work together). Just give me libraries that I can build/link against and let me bring my own build system - or pick a build system that is actually extensible and will scale to more complex scenarios.
    • michielr 2y ago
      If you're targeting multiple platforms, you're already in framework territory no? I'd use Zephyr in that case, even more KConfig and CMake!
      • q3k 2y ago
        That's what Big Framework wants you to think so that they can sell you more Framework! :)
• roger_ 2y ago
  Why monstrosity? I've not had any issues and their docker container is quite convenient.
  • q3k 2y ago
    If you find it acceptable to use Docker to develop/build projects then you probably have different standards than I do. But see my reply on another subthread for some of my issues with ESP-IDF.
    • tredre3 2y ago
      I've been using esp-idf (both professionally and as a hobby) for almost a decade by now and I have not once used Docker. They even provide you with a fully offline SDK. Extract it and open a terminal and build things. No dependencies, no docker, no nothing. Your criticism regarding their usage of cmake and the kconfig language hold a bit more water. I've never had any issue with the kconfig system (at least not since they've reimplemented the menu system in python instead of whatever it was) but I have hit CMake limitations a few times.
    • baq 2y ago
      How else do you ensure somewhat consistent CI...? VM images?
      • q3k 2y ago
        A good, hermetic build system. Nix or Bazel or ...
• asadm 2y ago
  On the contrary, I LOVE using esp-idf via vscode in my hobby project. I was a lifelong Arduino IDE person but I find it clunky after this.