Microcontroller vs FPGA-difference between microcontroller,FPGA

This page compares microcontroller vs FPGA and mentions difference between microcontroller and FPGA.

The figure-1 depicts Microcontroller Architecture.
Refer 8051 Microcontroller Architecture➤.

The figure-2 depicts FPGA Architecture.
Refer FPGA Architecture➤.

Following table-1 mentions difference between Microcontroller and FPGA.

Specifications	Microcontroller	FPGA
Principle of operation	Desired program is flashed in the microcontroller which executes instruction consecutively. It works based on software program.	Desired program to hardwire the logic circuit of FPGA is loaded. Based on this logic FPGA works as desired.
Software Programming Language used	C, C++, C# etc.	VHDL, Verilog
Application	Suitable to be used for serial execution of instruction. Here speed is proportional to execution time of the instruction.	It is used for parallel execution.
Processing power	It is time limited. The execution depends on processor cycling power.	It is space limited. More is the work, more is the logic circuits required to be created on FPGA chip.
Components needed	All the required components are sufficiently available on chip itself. No external components are needed unless for specific requirements.	It requires RAM, ROM and external storage. Almost most of the FPGA boards come up with these components in order to have rapid prototype developments.

Refer our Page on what a microcontroller does.
Refer our Page on microcontroller programming using C language including example.
Refer our Page on microcontroller development kit manufacturers.
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