So on a different note,
I decided to get the existing 1284 core working on 1.5x
I've got it up and working. Didn't take very long - maybe 30 minutes.
The tree is different, and there are some mods and added files, and libraries
that have to be delt with but not very difficult.
Things like the boards.txt files are slightly different, there is a platform.txt for all the compile/build rules
and then some local core libraries that must now exist in the core directory tree but that's about it.
I also verified that libraries supplied with the 1.5x core override libraries in the distribution.
That is good, since the patched libraries can now be put into the core directory tree so that that
they can automatically override the distribution versions when the 1284 core is being used.
So here is the current precedence of libraries
- User sketchbook libraries
- core libraries
- IDE supplied "common" libraries
Which seems like the order it should be in.
I haven't beat on it to see where the issues are - I'm sure there are issues
as essentially, what I did is get a 1284 1.x core working on 1.5x
What needs to happen is the core files from 1.5x need to be moved over and then
the tweaks made for the 1284 as there are a few new features in the 1.5x core that
won't exist until that is done.
I did notice that there are some big differences in HardwareSerial and wiring_analog.c
so those need very close scrutiny.
To me the 1.5x solution looks interesting as it can create a package that once installed
"just works" and has all the needed patched libraries already in place and ready to go.
Long term, maintaining a 1284 core that is so close to the Arduino team distribution AVR core is
a maintenance PITA.
I think the ideal solution would be to get the 1284 mods pushed into the Arduino team AVR core
as they are pretty minor.
That way there is only a single AVR core vs having to maintain a parallel AVR core.
--- bill