The Ultimate Guide to Arduino

From students and teachers to hobbyists and professional programmers, Arduino has won fans all over the world with its innovative development boards. This open-source platform offers an ideal entry point to the world of electronics – and it’s flexible enough to power more advanced projects too!

In our ultimate guide to Arduino you’ll find out:

• What Arduino is
• The key benefits of Arduino
• What makes Arduino boards different to microcomputers like the Raspberry Pi
• What you can do with Arduino, including fun Arduino projects
• What language Arduino uses
• How to program with Arduino

So if you’re ready to learn more about what’s achievable with Arduino, jump in below!

What is Arduino?

Arduino is an Italian company that designs and manufactures widely popular development boards for electronics projects.

Arduino boards are entirely open source, as is their Integrated Development Environment (IDE) software, empowering a global community of enthusiastic makers to build and adapt them to their needs.

The Arduino platform was first designed for quick and easy prototyping among students with little prior programming knowledge. Having released several new boards and compatible components since, Arduino now appeals to advanced tinkerers, artists, scientists, and professional developers too!

You can use Arduino devices to read inputs, like information from light, motion, or GPS sensors, and turn them into outputs, like switching on a light. You’ll do this by sending instructions to an Arduino board through the platform’s free programming software.

Why choose Arduino?

So why might you want to use Arduino for your projects? From its accessible platform to its large community of creators, you’ll find lots to love about this global brand no matter your level of knowledge or experience.

• Easy to use: Beginners can unbox and program a board in minutes using Arduino’s simple IDE, making it ideal for novices and students.
• Advanced capabilities: Ready to step up your skills? The platform offers plenty of scope for advanced and professional users too!
• Cross-platform: You can run Arduino’s IDE on Windows, Macintosh OSX, and Linux operating systems.
• Low-cost: Arduino boards, kits, and components are relatively inexpensive compared to other microcontrollers.
• Open-source software: Experienced programmers have the option to extend the Arduino software to learn more about the programming language.
• A thriving community: The Arduino forum has thousands of active users who share tips and inspiration daily.

Arduino vs Raspberry Pi

If you’re just getting started with programming and researching different devices, you might be wondering what makes the Arduino different from the Raspberry Pi.

Arduino boards are based on a microcontroller, which is a small computer ideal for running one program at a time.

A Raspberry Pi is a single-board computer with a microprocessor that can run multiple complex programs at the same time.

The right device for you will depend on the type of projects you want to explore. Arduino is perfect for quick projects and prototyping, while the Pi will handle more complex computing activities.

What can you do with Arduino?

You can create lots of exciting projects using an Arduino board and accessories. Check out the amazing ideas shared by the Arduino community on the Arduino’s project hub.

What language does Arduino use?

Arduino’s programming language is a simplified version of C++, which is text-based and has special features like syntax highlighting to make things easier.

How to program Arduino

1. Download and install Arduino’s IDE software on a computer.
2. Connect your Arduino board to your computer’s USB port.
3. Set your board type and the serial port in your IDE software.
4. Test your board’s microcontroller by uploading one of the preloaded programs in the Arduino IDE.
5. Write new code into the IDE or paste ready-made code from elsewhere.
6. All that’s left is to upload the sketch to your Arduino and integrate it into your project!

You can check out Arduino’s guides for more useful tips on getting started with your device.

Get started with Arduino from OKdo

Now we’ve introduced you to the world of Arduino, it’s easy to order your own board and accessories online through our Arduino Shop.