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Arduino Essentials
Arduino Essentials

Arduino Essentials: Enter the world of Arduino and its peripherals and start creating interesting projects

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Arduino Essentials

Chapter 2. The Arduino Development Environment

In this chapter, I'll show you how to get up and running with the Arduino development environment. We will download and install it, and we will take a tour through all its menus and commands. We will finish by uploading a first sketch to your board so that you can confirm that all that is needed to begin is working correctly.

A multiplatform tool

One of the things I like the most about the Arduino software is that it is truly multiplatform, which means that it is exactly the same environment whether you run it under OS X, Windows, or Linux. You could find some differences in the installation process of every operating system and differences to get it up and running, but once you have it up and running, it is just the same in any platform.

So, let's go ahead and present to you the whole process to make it run under the operating system of your choice.

Downloading the package

The first thing you have to do is go to the Arduino site's download section at http://Arduino.cc/en/Main/Software and choose the right package for your operating system and the software branch that best suits your board.

At the time of writing this, there are two different branches. I'll recommend that you use the Arduino 1.0.X stable branch unless you are going to work with Arduino Yún or Due; in that case, you'll have to choose the 1.5.X branch that, at the time of writing this, is a beta version and, therefore, could be a little unstable or could lead to some errors. However, I have to say that I have been working for more than a year with the 1.5.X branch to program both Arduino Uno and Arduino Yún, and I haven't seen any bugs.

On the Arduino site, you will find precompiled packages for Mac OS X, Windows, and Linux and even a source code package.

Let's take a closer look at each of the supported operating systems.

Windows

For Windows...

Installing the software

We have seen the downloading considerations for every operating system; let's now go on to see how to install the package for each of them.

Windows

Under Windows, using the Windows Installer package is quite simple and doesn't require any special consideration.

If you opted for the compressed package, you have to only uncompress it with an archive uncompressor such as WinZIP to make it available, which is not too hard.

Mac OS X

Under Mac OS X, the installation of the application consists only of dragging the application icon to the Applications folder of your computer. Simple.

In the latest versions of Mac OS X, Java may not be preinstalled; if this is the case, you should go to the Java official website at http://www.java.com/en/download/ and download it.

Linux

Given the diversity of different distributions and the packages' dependencies system on which Linux relies, you should install some of them before you can run the Arduino development environment.

Thanks...

Installing the drivers

As it is a USB device, the Arduino board might need its own drivers to be installed before your computer can talk to it.

The most recent boards, such as the Arduino Uno or the Arduino Mega 2560 board, don't need any special drivers to be installed. If you are using an older model, such as the Diecimilia board or any other board with an FTDI driver chip like the one shown in the following screenshot, you will have to install the specific drivers:

Installing the drivers

FTDI Chip

You can download the driver's version for your operating system right from the FTDI manufacturer page at http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm.

We will provide brief instructions on how to install these drivers for the operating system of your choice.

Windows

Under Windows, the installation may be a little tricky due to the fact that Windows will do its best to recognize the board and locate appropriate drivers for it, failing most of the times in doing so. To get the drivers up and running, perform the following...

Running the Arduino development environment for the first time

Well, it may have seemed more complicated than it really was, but finally, you have your programming environment ready to work. It's time to create our first test, take a tour of it, and meet all its parts and structures.

On the first run, the Arduino development environment should look like this:

Running the Arduino development environment for the first time

Arduino development environment

Basically, it's divided into three sections:

  • The toolbar at the top with buttons for the more usual commands
  • The code editor in the middle, where you will write your sketch, as we commonly call an Arduino program's code
  • The message area at the bottom, where you will get information about the status of your sketch and possible location of errors in it

Let's take a closer look at each one of these zones so that you can begin to use them.

The toolbar

In the toolbar, you're going to find a total of six buttons to call the more usual commands of the development environment.

The toolbar

Buttons on the toolbar...

Preflight checks

In order to upload your first sketch to the Arduino board, you have to first make sure that the Arduino development environment knows two very important things about your board:

  • The type of Arduino board you have
  • The serial port through which it is connected to your computer

Both parameters have to be specified using the Tools menu in the menu bar and by selecting the Board and Serial Port commands.

In the next screenshot, you can see all available options when selecting the board type:

Preflight checks

All board models available through the Board command in the Tools menu

Being a teacher myself and having worked with Arduino boards with my students for some years, I have found that the most common mistake they make the first time they try to upload their first sketch to the Arduino board is the wrong selection of the serial port. If you are like them and don't know for certain which one of the available serial ports in the Serial Port command to select, don't worry. In the worst case...

A multiplatform tool


One of the things I like the most about the Arduino software is that it is truly multiplatform, which means that it is exactly the same environment whether you run it under OS X, Windows, or Linux. You could find some differences in the installation process of every operating system and differences to get it up and running, but once you have it up and running, it is just the same in any platform.

So, let's go ahead and present to you the whole process to make it run under the operating system of your choice.

Downloading the package


The first thing you have to do is go to the Arduino site's download section at http://Arduino.cc/en/Main/Software and choose the right package for your operating system and the software branch that best suits your board.

At the time of writing this, there are two different branches. I'll recommend that you use the Arduino 1.0.X stable branch unless you are going to work with Arduino Yún or Due; in that case, you'll have to choose the 1.5.X branch that, at the time of writing this, is a beta version and, therefore, could be a little unstable or could lead to some errors. However, I have to say that I have been working for more than a year with the 1.5.X branch to program both Arduino Uno and Arduino Yún, and I haven't seen any bugs.

On the Arduino site, you will find precompiled packages for Mac OS X, Windows, and Linux and even a source code package.

Let's take a closer look at each of the supported operating systems.

Windows

For Windows, there are two different precompiled...

Installing the software


We have seen the downloading considerations for every operating system; let's now go on to see how to install the package for each of them.

Windows

Under Windows, using the Windows Installer package is quite simple and doesn't require any special consideration.

If you opted for the compressed package, you have to only uncompress it with an archive uncompressor such as WinZIP to make it available, which is not too hard.

Mac OS X

Under Mac OS X, the installation of the application consists only of dragging the application icon to the Applications folder of your computer. Simple.

In the latest versions of Mac OS X, Java may not be preinstalled; if this is the case, you should go to the Java official website at http://www.java.com/en/download/ and download it.

Linux

Given the diversity of different distributions and the packages' dependencies system on which Linux relies, you should install some of them before you can run the Arduino development environment.

Thanks to the package...

Installing the drivers


As it is a USB device, the Arduino board might need its own drivers to be installed before your computer can talk to it.

The most recent boards, such as the Arduino Uno or the Arduino Mega 2560 board, don't need any special drivers to be installed. If you are using an older model, such as the Diecimilia board or any other board with an FTDI driver chip like the one shown in the following screenshot, you will have to install the specific drivers:

FTDI Chip

You can download the driver's version for your operating system right from the FTDI manufacturer page at http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm.

We will provide brief instructions on how to install these drivers for the operating system of your choice.

Windows

Under Windows, the installation may be a little tricky due to the fact that Windows will do its best to recognize the board and locate appropriate drivers for it, failing most of the times in doing so. To get the drivers up and running, perform the following steps...

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Description

If you are a hobbyist who wants to develop projects based on Arduino as the main microcontroller platform or an engineer interested in finding out what the Arduino platform offers, then this book is ideal for you. Some prior knowledge of the C programming language is required.

Who is this book for?

If you are a hobbyist who wants to develop projects based on Arduino as the main microcontroller platform or an engineer interested in finding out what the Arduino platform offers, then this book is ideal for you. Some prior knowledge of the C programming language is required.

What you will learn

  • Select the correct Arduino board to meet the prerequisites of your project
  • Set up a working Arduino development environment and get to grips with all of its inner workings
  • Work with digital and analog outputs to act on external devices
  • Sense your environment in a digital or analog way by using different types of sensors such as potentiometers, photocells, or thermistors
  • Develop timebased projects that will manage the time in a precise manner
  • Make your project interact with other devices via serial communications
  • Use interrupts to deal with unexpected events
  • Get familiar with a complete realworld project that summarizes all the concepts learned throughout the book
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Publication date, Length, Edition, Language, ISBN-13
Publication date : Feb 24, 2015
Length: 206 pages
Edition : 1st
Language : English
ISBN-13 : 9781784398569
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Product feature icon Paperback book shipped to your preferred address
Product feature icon Download this book in EPUB and PDF formats
Product feature icon Access this title in our online reader with advanced features
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Estimated delivery fee Deliver to Colombia

Standard delivery 10 - 13 business days

$19.95

Premium delivery 3 - 6 business days

$40.95
(Includes tracking information)

Product Details

Publication date : Feb 24, 2015
Length: 206 pages
Edition : 1st
Language : English
ISBN-13 : 9781784398569
Category :
Tools :

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Table of Contents

11 Chapters
1. Meeting the Arduino Family Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
2. The Arduino Development Environment Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
3. Interacting with the Environment the Digital Way Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
4. Controlling Outputs Softly with Analog Outputs Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
5. Sensing the Real World through Digital Inputs Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
6. Analog Inputs to Feel Between All and Nothing Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
7. Managing the Time Domain Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
8. Communicating with Others Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
9. Dealing with Interrupts Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
10. Arduino in a Real Case – Greenhouse Control Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Index Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Customer reviews

Rating distribution
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
(5 Ratings)
5 star 100%
4 star 0%
3 star 0%
2 star 0%
1 star 0%
Miguel Bueno Cobos May 06, 2015
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
Arduino is not a new kid in the block, and many things are written about it, but you can be sure that not everything written is useful. With this book Francis Perea will help you if you are new to microcontrolers or you just want to have a nice reference around. The autor knows how to focus on the procedure and the key facts that you have to understand to keep you improving your skills about Arduino. He will guide you in a series of step-by-step assemblies using most common components and with a very well design path to Arduino Knowledge. Definitely a must read and a must have reference book about Arduino.
Amazon Verified review Amazon
Rocío Criado Díaz Apr 22, 2015
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
Arduino es un mundo nuevo para mi. He llegado a este libro por la experiencia de sus conocidos autores en la materia con el fin de formarme desde cero. Tengo un mundo de posibilidades que puedo practicar gracias a los claros ejemplos de todas y cada una de sus posibilidades. Estoy consiguiendo resultados interesantes en la docencia con los alumnos de mi clase. Es una referencia práctica para completar y adquirir un buen conocimiento sobre la electrónica y su aplicación inmediata. Lectura y compra recomendada.
Amazon Verified review Amazon
Jose Checa Apr 22, 2015
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
For a long time I've been reading books as a beginner / advanced Arduino , especially to meet the training needs of people who are new , including very early levels . It is not easy to have a good guide to all the possibilities of Arduino while it easy to assimilate by readers. In this book I found all this and more. All kinds of examples that introduce from the simplest to the most complicated work , easy to digest and implement that cover all needs. A global version of all well explained possibilities. I highly recommend it .
Amazon Verified review Amazon
Amazon Customer Jan 29, 2019
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
Great read about the current Arduino boards out there .. Great reference for those who want to learn about these cool boards and how to hook up hard devices and parts to them . Great place to kick start using the Arduino boards.
Amazon Verified review Amazon
Rocío Criado Díaz Apr 22, 2015
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
Arduino is a new world for me !! I came to this book through the experience of their well-known authors in the field and to learn from scratch. I have a world of possibilities that can go through the clear examples of each and every one of its possibilities . I am getting interesting results in teaching with students in my class. It is a handy reference to complete and acquire a good knowledge of electronics and immediate implementation. Reading and recommended purchase .
Amazon Verified review Amazon
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