@Cuno and @Nevyn: I didn't put enough information in this post. My fault. My plan is building a web server at the upper layer. But I don't see ethernet and micro SD on Discovery board. I'd rather avoid extra wiring for such devices due to the lack of EE knowledge

@Nevyn: Is CooCox IDE cross platform? I saw this on their website: 

 

 

[color=rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Verdana, sans-serif;]System requirements:[/color]

• Windows XP SP3/Windows Vista/Windows 7

This is actually a followup question of the MCU board selection on Quora. 

Simply, I need a MCU board to practice system level programming from the bottom driver layer to the application layer of the software stack. I've found Netduino Plus 2 and Olimex STM32-E407.

I plan to use C/C++ to program the board by reading manuals. By searching the forum, looks like NP2 is capable of the native code programming, though I am not sure how to program it, or one more step, to debug it. I have a limited budget >$100, and don't have much EE knowledge for wiring, breadboard, resistor/transistor stuff.. so a cheap and simple MCU board is what I need. My practice plan is writing full stack software to build a webserver at the top layer. so ethernet and (better) micro SD are needed.

The Olimex one is expensive, and needs a separate programmer (and a debugger for sure)! I am not sure how about the NP2. Any one have experiences or ideas? 

Oh, it is better to be able to develop the C/C++ based program for such board on Linux or at least UNIX-like platform.

I'd really appreciate your advice!