-c arduino keep-alive feature similar to -c urclock.

[mcuee]

As of now -c urclock can keep bootloaders in terminal mode -t` without the bootloader resetting itself through the watchdog timer.

This is a nice feature which would be nice to bring to -c arduino as well.

[stefanrueger]

Why? There is -c urclock that can be used instead. Duplicating code for -c arduino costs effort and increases the maintenance surface. Our energy is better spent on bug fixes, or implementing keep-alive for -c wiring, -c xbee etc. And before you rush raising issues for that just a note that I for one don't know what NOPs look like for these bootloaders, so this needs people using these bootloaders to chip in with their knowledge.

[mcuee]

I think this request came from @MCUdude. Let's see if he is still interested in this improvement on -c arduino or not. If not we can close this issue as not planned.

[mcuee]

@MCUdude

Do you still think this feature is useful? If not I will close this issue. Thanks,

[MCUdude]

Even though Urboot is vastly superior, there are still millions(?) of microcontrollers out there that run Optiboot. I'd argue that this would be a nice feature for those who are stuck with Optiboot or can't/don't want to switch to a new and improved bootloader.

[mcuee]

From here as mentioned by @stefanrueger

• Provide Urclock programmer #1171 (comment)

Being able to use the pgm->term_keep_alive() function relies on the following:

1. AVRDUDE is compiled with libreadline
2. The programmer provides a function term_keep_alive() to keep the bootloader happy
3. The timing of reading characters and draining serial input does not get in the way
4. AVRDUDE is able to figure out whether or not the next read from stdin would block

[stefanrueger]

there are still millions(?) of microcontrollers out there that run Optiboot.

And they can use -c urclock if they want to use the keep-alive feature, can't they? So, I'd rather spend time on other things.

[MCUdude]

And they can use -c urclock if they want to use the keep-alive feature, can't they?

Ah, of course. Totally forgot this, sorry