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Development Board

What is a development board?

A development board is a printed circuit board designed to help engineers and makers prototype, test, and develop electronic projects. It typically includes a microcontroller or microprocessor, input/output pins, power management, and various onboard components like LEDs, buttons, or sensors. Development boards provide an accessible platform for learning embedded programming, rapid prototyping, and proof-of-concept development without requiring custom PCB design. Popular examples include Arduino boards, Raspberry Pi, and various manufacturer evaluation boards.

Related Terms

Breakout Board

A breakout board is a small printed circuit board that makes the pins of a complex integrated circuit or connector more accessible for prototyping and development. It typically features a surface-mounted component (like a microcontroller, sensor, or specialized IC) with its pins "broken out" to larger, easier-to-use through-hole connections or header pins. This allows makers and engineers to easily connect the component to breadboards, development boards, or other circuits without requiring specialized soldering skills or dealing with tiny pin spacing.