To get the most out of this book

In order to use this book to the full, the reader will need basic knowledge of computer programming and the major operating systems (such as Windows or macOS), although there is a chapter that contains an introduction to C. In order to compile and run the programming examples described in this book, the reader should have the latest Arduino IDE previously installed on their computer (the Blue Pill board can be programmed using the Arduino IDE) and the MPLAB X IDE used for programming the Curiosity Nano microcontroller board; one of the chapters explains how to install and use them. All the program examples contained in this book for the Blue Pill microcontroller board should run on Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems. The programs that run for the Curiosity Nano microcontroller board were tested on computers running both Windows and Linux operating systems.

If you are using the digital version of this book, we advise you to type the code yourself or access the code via the GitHub repository (link available in the next section). Doing so will help you avoid any potential errors related to the copying and pasting of code.

Some pre-requisites for this book include having basic knowledge of computer programming and electronics, and having some materials, such as a solderless breadboard, many DuPont wires, LEDs, and resistors.

After reading this book, you can continue experimenting with the sensors used in the chapters and perhaps programming and applying other sensors to be connected to microcontroller boards, since this book provides a solid foundation for microcontroller boards programming and use.