If you’ve never heard of Arduino before, or you might have, but you’re not sure what it represents, then we’re about to discuss it below. So what is it? Namely, it can be defined as an open-source platform that enables people to develop their own electronic projects.
If you are naturally innovative and creative and have a knack for anything that’s related to technology, then you are absolutely going to enjoy this platform. One of the main goals of Arduino is to make electronics within anyone’s reach, particularly inventive people.
Therefore, if all of this sounds pretty appealing to you, and you might consider giving it a chance, then stay tuned because today we going to help you take your first steps with this awesome platform.
Be Sure To Obtain An Arduino Starter Kit
If you would like to be one hundred percent familiar with this platform, then it would be wise to set aside a certain amount of money for an Arduino starter kit. Why is it so important? Well, that’s because this kit has everything you need to continue your Arduino journey.
It contains all the necessities, like a USB cable, Arduino microcontroller board, and many other essentials. Arduino connoisseurs at Kunkune Ltd. would like to remind you that a vast majority of these sorts of kits offer instructional materials, and even some useful ideas that are going to help every newbie easily figure things out. Of course, keep in mind that on the market you can stumble upon different kits intended for these purposes.
It’s up to you to decide (based on your preferences and money that’s at your disposal) what you’re going to acquire. For starters, you should opt for something that’s relatively easy to comprehend and employ, especially if you’re new to this.
Furthermore, if you’re interested in something that’s a bit more complex, such as robotics, then you should definitely consider purchasing a kit that’s going to allow you to successfully execute this project.
In addition, when selecting your first Arduino starter kit, it’s of huge importance to buy one that contains only top-quality components, otherwise, you’ll be wasting both your time and money. Now, it doesn’t mean that you should waste a fortune, however, the cheapest options are also not the best idea.
If you want to make sure you are obtaining a kit that’s worth every penny, then first conduct thorough research to see which manufacturer is the most trustworthy when it comes to this. As previously stated, quality must be prioritized in these instances, otherwise, you will end up feeling frustrated.
In a nutshell, it’s safe to say that giving money for this type of kit is an amazing investment, especially if you are truly serious about this platform and you want to do whatever is in your power to learn as much as possible.
On the other hand, if you currently do not have the means for this kit, then you can always opt for an Arduino simulator.
Time To Choose The Board
It’s safe to say that there are various options when it comes to the board designed by this company. If you are not familiar with them, then don’t worry because below we’ll briefly discuss some of them to help you pick the right one.
- Arduino Uno – this one is intended for the beginners. It consists of 14 digital inputs/outputs, a 16MHz clock, and 6 analog inputs. So what does this mean? It just goes to show that it can interact with numerous applications and sensors.
- Arduino Micro – Arduino Micro is practically the tiniest board from the Arduino family, and you can easily merge it with other objects in order to make them interactive. Additionally, it comes with the ATmega32U4 microcontroller that has a built-in USB.
- Arduino Pro – this board has several different versions. When it comes to the Pro version, it represents a full-sized board, that is in fact, compatible with numerous shields. A lot of people who have in mind smaller projects, opt for the Pro Mini.
- Arduino Nano – if you’re interested in something that can definitely be defined as versatile, then Arduino Nano might just be the best option for you. It consists of sixteen digital pins that you can utilize for different purposes. What’s generally great about this board is the fact that it’s ideal for both smaller and bigger projects.
Apart from all these abovementioned boards, you can also run into Arduino Mega, Arduino Due, Arduino Leonardo, Arduino Yun, and Arduino Ethernet.
How To Get Started With Your Board?
If you want your board to officially blast off, then you must download the Arduino IDE. So what is it actually? Namely, it is a tool that enables you to write and then upload code to the board. This software can be installed on Linux, Windows, and Mac and is generally very easy to navigate.
In order to install the version that’s compatible with your device and operating system, then it would be best to go directly to the Arduino website and download it from there. On this site, you will almost immediately notice the instructions that are going to help you install everything properly.
As previously concluded, it’s nothing too complex. Once this process is completed, then you should connect your board to your device by utilizing the USB cable you received in the kit you bought.
Furthermore, be sure to go to the Tools menu that’s in the IDE, and then choose the suitable port and board, and that’s about it. You can embark on your coding journey!
What Are The Most Interesting Projects You Can Do With Arduino?
There are so many interesting projects you can do with this platform, that are not intended for experienced people only, but also for beginners as well. The ones that people love to do the most are blinking an LED, controlling a servo motor, and many others.
If you are new to this whole Arduino world, then we assume that you are a bit intimidated by it, however, as you can see, all these steps that we mentioned in the article are relatively simple, hence we are positively sure that you’ll overcome them in no time.
