AVR-Chat

On Mon, 31 Jan 2005 09:47:49 -0500 (EST), <ethan@bufbotics.org> wrote:

>
> <code>
> if (turn_motor_on) {
>    setbit(MOTOR_ENABLE_PORT, MOTOR_ENABLE_PIN);
> } else {
>    clrbit(MOTOR_ENABLE_PORT, MOTOR_ENABLE_PIN);
> }
> </code>
> Personally, I would prefer something like.....
> <code>
> write_bit(turn_motor_on, MOTOR_ENABLE_PORT, MOTOR_ENABLE_PIN);
> </code>

You could make that with a define i think. I guess even i could figure out  
how eventually.

But well, wouldn't it be great if one could just write

MOTOR_ENABLE_PIN = turn motor on;

or, if need be

MOTOR_ENABLE_PORT.MOTOR_ENABLE_BIT = turn motor on;


I have the same situation here.
I don't understand why that doesn't work. I'm no programmer as everyone  
sees easily, but when reading various stuff i get the impression "well, if  
you don't use bit operations you aren't a proper programmer, get lost.".  
That might well be true, and i'm not a proper programmer, but i still  
don't understand why i must fight with &|!<< to change or read a single  
bit.
I mean, life is hard enough, why make it any harder?


Why exactly is't a bit just a variable like for example PORTB?
I can write PORTB=0xFF; but can't do the same with bits.

ST