What is Arduino?
Posted: Thu Nov 25, 2021 2:36 pm
Arduino is an open-source electronics platform based on easy-to-use hardware and software. It's intended for anyone making interactive projects.
The hardware consists of a simple open circuit board that uses easy-to-find, standard electronic components. The software to run the boards can be written in any programming language, even non visual ones like Max/MSP or PureData. The Arduino software (also known as the "sketch") runs on your computer, uploads the program to the board, and then controls it. You can easily add more capabilities by connecting sensors, lights, motors etc… Thanks for this link, you can learn a lot of useful articles about Arduino.
This immensely simplifies complex projects that can involve hundreds of small components and wires.
Interface Arduino with the world around you (and turn the world into your interface) by creating interactive objects or environments.
Creating an object or environment is as simple as: 1. Define a set of input and output pins called "Digital Pins" to use in your project; 2. Identify and attach sensors and actuators to these pins; 3. Create a program to interact with them . Your digital pins can be inputs (e.g., pushbuttons connected to PIN numbers 2, 4, 6 etc…). Or they could be outputs (e.g., bulbs connected to PIN numbers 10, 11, 13 etc … ). They can be analog inputs or outputs as well. You have ~50 pins to start with, but you can expand this number.
Main pros of Arduino:
1. It's a simple platform that you can build upon and learn from
2. You have the source code, so you only need a computer to get things done
3. Arduino is fun! But I don't think "fun" would be one of the main reasons why people choose to use it…they choose it because it's useful for what they want to do or because its cheaper than other boards (which are more powerful but also less accessible)
Main cons:
1. Arduino doesn't come with any peripherals (sensors, displays, motors etc…) and building your own circuits sucks if that's not your thing;
2. Arduino isn't as powerful as other microcontrollers like PIC, AVR and mbed.
The hardware consists of a simple open circuit board that uses easy-to-find, standard electronic components. The software to run the boards can be written in any programming language, even non visual ones like Max/MSP or PureData. The Arduino software (also known as the "sketch") runs on your computer, uploads the program to the board, and then controls it. You can easily add more capabilities by connecting sensors, lights, motors etc… Thanks for this link, you can learn a lot of useful articles about Arduino.
This immensely simplifies complex projects that can involve hundreds of small components and wires.
Interface Arduino with the world around you (and turn the world into your interface) by creating interactive objects or environments.
Creating an object or environment is as simple as: 1. Define a set of input and output pins called "Digital Pins" to use in your project; 2. Identify and attach sensors and actuators to these pins; 3. Create a program to interact with them . Your digital pins can be inputs (e.g., pushbuttons connected to PIN numbers 2, 4, 6 etc…). Or they could be outputs (e.g., bulbs connected to PIN numbers 10, 11, 13 etc … ). They can be analog inputs or outputs as well. You have ~50 pins to start with, but you can expand this number.
Main pros of Arduino:
1. It's a simple platform that you can build upon and learn from
2. You have the source code, so you only need a computer to get things done
3. Arduino is fun! But I don't think "fun" would be one of the main reasons why people choose to use it…they choose it because it's useful for what they want to do or because its cheaper than other boards (which are more powerful but also less accessible)
Main cons:
1. Arduino doesn't come with any peripherals (sensors, displays, motors etc…) and building your own circuits sucks if that's not your thing;
2. Arduino isn't as powerful as other microcontrollers like PIC, AVR and mbed.