🛠️ Lesson 2: Setup & Components
⏱️ Estimated time: 20 minutes | Difficulty: Beginner
Getting Ready
To start your Arduino journey, you need the Arduino IDE and some basic components like LEDs, resistors, and breadboards.
Step 1: Install Arduino IDE
- Download from
arduino.cc/en/software - Install with default settings
- Connect Arduino via USB cable
- Select your board: Tools → Board → Arduino Uno
- Select port: Tools → Port → COMx (Windows) or /dev/tty (Mac/Linux)
Essential Components
| Component | Purpose |
|---|---|
| LED | Light output |
| Resistor | Limits current flow |
| Button | User input |
| Potentiometer | Variable resistance (knob) |
| Breadboard | Prototype circuit without soldering |
| Jumper Wires | Connect components |
Your First Sketch: Blink
// Blink the built-in LED on pin 13
void setup() {
pinMode(13, OUTPUT); // Set pin 13 as output
}
void loop() {
digitalWrite(13, HIGH); // LED ON
delay(1000); // Wait 1 second
digitalWrite(13, LOW); // LED OFF
delay(1000); // Wait 1 second
}Upload Your Sketch
- Click ✓ (Verify) to check for errors
- Click → (Upload) to send code to Arduino
- Watch the LED blink! 🎉