Introduction to Arduino Programming (Workshop 2) - Detailed Guide

Workshop Contents

I. C, C++, and the Arduino IDE
II. Variables
III. Methods
IV. Conditional
V. Loops
VI. I/O
VII. Demo - Pseudo Code Version
VIII. Demo - Code and Testing

I. C, C++, and the Arduino IDE

Programming on the Arduino is done with a variant of the C Language specific to the Arduino IDE. There are a few small differences, mainly regarding added functionality to relate to the Arduino properly, but for the most part programming is done in what can be thought of as C Language. 

C is the oldest programming language that is widely used today (created in 1972) and is a terrific language to start off with. It is considered a "High Level" language, meaning that on the spectrum of programming languages, it is closer to the English Language than machine code (all 0s and 1s). C is also very fundamentally similar to C++, Java, and many other modern languages, making it relatively easy to jump into one of these other languages from C. 

C isn't by any means a perfect language - there are a good handful of things that it can not do or that it is not good at doing, bit it is still an incredibly versatile, powerful language that works perfectly for programming Arduinos.

There are several key components to programming in C; this guide will cover those from a theoretical perspective that should be applicable to several other languages. The examples used will be in C to demonstrate proper C syntax.

Note: You can add comments to your code by putting two backslashes before any thing that isn't code. This way you can type notes in the program that don't affect the actual program. This is a good way for anyone reading the code to understand in plain English what is going on. It becomes more and more valuable as the program gets bigger and more complicated.

//This is a comment. 

/*
This is also a comment.
*/

Look for comments in the example code for further explanation.

Open Design Competition Arduino Workshop 2 - Introduction to Arduino Programming TUESDAY, 11/5 at 7pm!

We will be having our second Arduino Workshop of the year this Tuesday, November 5th at 7pm in Engineering 100! This workshop will be about programming - we will go over everything you need to program your Arduinos and then make our own Hangman game! 

Similar to last workshop, make sure to bring your kit and a fully charged computer with the Arduino IDE software on it. If you still need to purchase a kit and/or breadboard we will have both at the workshop available for purchase. If you missed the first workshop you can visit our in-depth guide here: http://csuieeedesign.blogspot.com/2013/10/introduction-to-arduino-workshop-1.html

See you then!

Introduction to Arduino (Workshop 1) - Detailed Guide

**If you have not purchased a kit and/or breadboard and would like to do so, please email me and we can arrange for you to do so. This workshop guide assumes you have purchased an Arduino kit or have an Arduino Uno.**

Workshop/Guide Contents:

I. Arduino Kit Contents
II. Introduction to the Arduino Uno
III. Installing the Arduino Software
IV. The Arduino IDE
V. Demo Part 1 - Hello World!
VI. Demo Part 2 - On-Board LED Blink
VII. Demo Part 3 - External LED Blink

I. Arduino Kit Contents

To start off, there are a number of different components included in your kit. They include:

1: Arduino Uno
The Uno is a microcontroller used to make almost any small embedded design you can think of. The Arduino is programmed via your computer and a USB cable and runs an infinite loop while power is provided to the board. We will discuss the board in further detail in the next section.

ODC Workshop 1 - Introduction to Arduino

Hi Everyone,

We will be having our first Arduino workshop tonight, Tuesday the 22nd at 7pm in Clark A102. Each team needs to bring cash or check for their kit, a breadboard if you have one, and a fully charged laptop with a dependable internet connection (any type is fine). We will be:

                - distributing kits

                - going over the contents of the kits

                - introducing the Arduino Uno in detail

                - getting the Arduino connected and interfaced with your computer

                - running two short, simple demos on your Arduino

This is a very important workshop so make sure to have at least one of your team members there to buy your kit and get started. If you can't make it, the workshop will be posted online later this week.

Thanks,

Cameron Bloom

Welcome to the Start of the Competition!

Emails have been sent out regarding our first workshops and competition details. Please let me know if you haven't gotten an email with that information and I will send it to you. 

Thanks,

Cameron

IEEE President

Arduino Kit Contents

To participate in the Open Design Competition workshops, you'll need a kit.  The kit contains everything you need for the workshops and to get you started on your team's project. Below is a list of components found in your Arduino Kit. PSoC kit contents will be coming soon.

In the kit you'll find:
- An Arduino Uno    
- A servo motor
- A DC motor
- LED's
- A temperature sensor
- Resistors
- A Diode
- A Transistor
- A USB cable (for your Ardunio)

The kit costs $35 and by registering with your kit selection as Ardunio, you will place your order. Kits will be picked up and paid for at our first workshop (the week of the 14th, details coming soon.)

The 4th Annual CSU IEEE Open Design Competition is here!

Hello Engineers!!!

The 4th Annual CSU IEEE Open Design Competition is here! Assemble your team, sign up, and get ready to have a blast!

What is the Open Design Competition?

The Open Design Competition is the most fun and rewarding project you can work on all year. Why? Because you can make anything you want! Either by yourself or with an all-star team of your friends and class mates, you'll start with a powerful and versatile hobby electronics kit, learn everything you need to know about micro-controllers, programming, and hobby electronics in our evening workshops, and then set out to dream up, design, and build the greatest project you can think of! It can be anything you want - a robot that plays guitar, a crazy light-up bike, a lawn mower that mows the lawn by itself, your own Daft Punk helmets, or anything else you can think of - the possibilities are endless!!

I'm so busy! Why should I add yet another thing to my schedule??

The Open Design Competition is more than just another thing on your to-do list - it's an opportunity to leave the classroom, skip the theoretical work, and get your hands dirty designing and building something that you are passionate about! And once it's done, in late March, you will get to show it off to your peers, your teachers, and members of industry at the final design competition! Last year we had engineers from a dozen different companies come to campus and judge projects and we gave out nearly $1000 dollars in prizes!! Once it's all said and done, you'll have a completely unique project on your resume, something that employers love to see and will gladly take a second look at when considering you for internships and jobs. An Open Design Competition Project can be a game changer for your career.

How can I learn more?

We'll be holding informational meetings next Monday (9/30) and Tuesday (10/1) nights at 7pm in Engineering E104 - you can get the whole scoop about the competition, talk to former participants, and get all of your burning questions answered!

I'm ready! Where do I sign up??!!

When you're ready, go here http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/XY8GGKT and sign up! Registration closes at midnight Wednesday, October 9th.

Visit this website for news as soon as it's available and let me know if you have any questions! Thanks to our sponsor Wolf Robotics for making this all possible!

The greatest competition of your college career is about to begin...what are you going to make?

Cameron Bloom

IEEE CSU Student Chapter President

Colorado State University