4 Programming

µPad uploads files, typically programs, to the target device. Most devices have two kinds of memory:

• Volatile memory (often called “RAM”)

  The contents of volatile memory are not guaranteed to survive periods when the device is unpowered.

• Non-Volatile memory (sometimes referred to as “flash memory” and/or “EEPROM”)

  This kind of memory can survive extended periods when the target device is switched off.

µPad can write both kinds of memory. Typically however the volatile memory is written (and read) during the course of program execution, whereas non-volatile memory is written as a special operation performed manually or as part of a production process. We refer to this operation as “programming” the device.