user4533: I'd like to ask you some questions about ARM processor from Atmel like the SAM3X8E, the one used in the Arduino Due. I have found this [AVR programming guide] from abcminiuser on avrfreaks very helpful.
Q1. Why are there no ICSP pins in Arduino Due to use it to program the SAM3X8E from an external programmer instead of the USB port in the Due board?
Q2. If I want to program an Arduino Due from an external programmer which of the programmers in abcminiuser guide will do the job and give me the ability to program 8/16/32bit AVR and ARM chips from Atmel at the same time?
Q3. On the Arduino Due website I read this:

"Uploading sketches to the SAM3X is different than the AVR Microcontrollers found in other Arduino boards because the flash memory needs to be erased before being re-programmed. Upload to the chip is managed by ROM on the SAM3X, which is run only when the chip's flash memory is empty. "

What is that mean?

user4143: 
Because it is not needed. The chip comes with the bootloader pre programmed in  ROM, not in Flash. It cannot be replaced, upgraded, removed, etc like other more sensible chips. So there is no real need for ICSP since the main use for that is putting the bootloader on.
Unknown.
Unlike the AVR chips, whose bootloader always runs first for about 2 seconds, the SAM3X's boot loader only runs if the flash is empty. As a result there is a way to empty the flash built in to the Arduino code, so that it can be erased by software. That means that the software has to be working right though, which isn't always the case, since people write bad code which crashes the chip. As a result they added a erase button to the board so you can manually erase the chip and get the bootloader to run.

I have always maintained that the SAM3X is a really idiotically designed chip and I wouldn't ever use it in a design of my own.

4533: <p>I'd like to ask you some questions about ARM processor from Atmel like the SAM3X8E, the one used in the Arduino Due. I have found this [AVR programming guide] from abcminiuser on avrfreaks very helpful.</p>

<p>Q1. Why are there no ICSP pins in Arduino Due to use it to program the SAM3X8E from an external programmer instead of the USB port in the Due board?</p>

<p>Q2. If I want to program an Arduino Due from an external programmer which of the programmers in abcminiuser guide will do the job and give me the ability to program 8/16/32bit AVR and ARM chips from Atmel at the same time?</p>

<p>Q3. On the Arduino Due website I read this:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>"Uploading sketches to the SAM3X is different than the AVR Microcontrollers found in other Arduino boards because the flash memory needs to be erased before being re-programmed. Upload to the chip is managed by ROM on the SAM3X, which is run only when the chip's flash memory is empty. "</p>
</blockquote>

<p>What is that mean?</p>
 4143: <ol>
<li>Because it is not needed. The chip comes with the bootloader pre programmed in  ROM, not in Flash. It cannot be replaced, upgraded, removed, etc like other more sensible chips. So there is no real need for ICSP since the main use for that is putting the bootloader on.</li>
<li>Unknown.</li>
<li>Unlike the AVR chips, whose bootloader always runs first for about 2 seconds, the SAM3X's boot loader only runs if the flash is empty. As a result there is a way to empty the flash built in to the Arduino code, so that it can be erased by software. That means that the software has to be working right though, which isn't always the case, since people write bad code which crashes the chip. As a result they added a erase button to the board so you can manually erase the chip and get the bootloader to run.</li>
</ol>

<p>I have always maintained that the SAM3X is a really idiotically designed chip and I wouldn't ever use it in a design of my own.</p>
