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= Introduction =
 
= Introduction =
  
This writeup is specifically for the Westport High School [[Westport High School Page]] but should be useful for other beginners as well.
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This writeup is specificlly for the Westport High School [[Westport High School Page]] but should be useful for other beginners as well.
  
 
'''This is an unfinished draft, but should be useful for a start.'''
 
'''This is an unfinished draft, but should be useful for a start.'''
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* Arduino board.  You need at least one. There are many. Some distinctions are:
 
* Arduino board.  You need at least one. There are many. Some distinctions are:
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**'''USB or older style Serial'''
 
**'''USB or older style Serial'''
 
**'''Price'''
 
**'''Price'''
 
**'''Kit or prebuilt'''
 
**'''Kit or prebuilt'''
 
**'''Memory'''
 
**'''Memory'''
**'''Compatible with Shields''' Shields are hardware extensions for the Arduino.  Really nice to have.  We will have a writeup on them soon.
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**'''Compatible with Shields''' Shields are hardware extensions for the Arduino.  Really nice to have.  We will have a writup on them soon.
**'''Easily pluggable to a ProtoBoard''' This may conflict with compatible with shields, it would be nice to have it be both, we will work on it.
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**'''Easily plugable to a ProtoBoard''' This may conflict with compatible with shields, it would be nice to have it be both, we will work on it.
 
**'''Speed''' more speed is usually better than less.
 
**'''Speed''' more speed is usually better than less.
 
**'''Voltage''' Most of our other circuity will probably be 5 v so 5 v is fine. the 3.3v parts are useful if used with other 3.3 v parts.  Despite the different voltages there are ways to connect them together.
 
**'''Voltage''' Most of our other circuity will probably be 5 v so 5 v is fine. the 3.3v parts are useful if used with other 3.3 v parts.  Despite the different voltages there are ways to connect them together.
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* a Protoboard -- Mr H. will bring some and the components used with them. See  [[Solderless protoboard]]
 
* a Protoboard -- Mr H. will bring some and the components used with them. See  [[Solderless protoboard]]
  
* Misc. electronic components LEDs, displays, sensors, motors and so on. -- Mr H. will have a bunch, we will get more as we need them.
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* Misc. electronic components Leds, displays, sensors, motors and so on. -- Mr H. will have a bunch, we will get more as we need them.
  
 
= PC Setup =
 
= PC Setup =
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Go to [http://arduino.cc/en/Main/Software Arduino Download the Arduino Software] and pick the right version of the software for your PC.  Then go to [http://arduino.cc/en/Guide/HomePage  Guide to Getting Started with Arduino] and follow the directions for set up.  Note that you can do most of this without having an Arduino Board.  After you get the board you may need to go back and do a bit more setup.
 
Go to [http://arduino.cc/en/Main/Software Arduino Download the Arduino Software] and pick the right version of the software for your PC.  Then go to [http://arduino.cc/en/Guide/HomePage  Guide to Getting Started with Arduino] and follow the directions for set up.  Note that you can do most of this without having an Arduino Board.  After you get the board you may need to go back and do a bit more setup.
  
For the first time through the important part is to get the environment running and see if you can open some of the examples.  You could also try to write a short program and save it.  See if you can compile a program.  You cannot upload it without having a an Arduino and cable.
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For the first time through the important part is to get the enviroment running and see if you can open some of the examples.  You could also try to write a short program and save it.  See if you can compile a program.  You cannot upload it without having a an Arduino and cable.
  
  
 
A note on saving files: Your files are saved in the so-called sketchbook.  "sketchbook" is not the name of the directory the actual name can be set by you using Files->Preferences->Sketchbook Location.  Because we will probably be moving between computers it is probably useful to make this a location on your flash drive.  I would recommend something like F:/MyRobotics/Arduino/.  Each sketch will get its own directory under this location.  Test your setup: try writing a new program, save it, close the Arduino software, reopen the program using the File->Sketchbook menu choice.  Look at your flash drive to make sure the file end up where it should be.
 
A note on saving files: Your files are saved in the so-called sketchbook.  "sketchbook" is not the name of the directory the actual name can be set by you using Files->Preferences->Sketchbook Location.  Because we will probably be moving between computers it is probably useful to make this a location on your flash drive.  I would recommend something like F:/MyRobotics/Arduino/.  Each sketch will get its own directory under this location.  Test your setup: try writing a new program, save it, close the Arduino software, reopen the program using the File->Sketchbook menu choice.  Look at your flash drive to make sure the file end up where it should be.
  
== Processing Software ==
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== Processing ==
 
 
Processing is the language for the PC side of PC <-> Arduino communications.  Down load it from [http://processing.org/download/ Download Processing].  Like the Arduino language you will need to unzip it for installation.  It will run from the location it is unzipped to.  The file to run is:  processing.exe.  After installing, run it.  To get started with it see: [http://processing.org/learning/gettingstarted/  Getting Started. Welcome to Processing!]
 
 
 
 
 
A note on saving files: As with the Arduino Software your files are saved in the so-called sketchbook. "sketchbook" is not the name of the directory the actual name can be set by you using Files->Preferences->Sketchbook Location. Because we will probably be moving between computers it is probably useful to make this a location on your flash drive. I would recommend something like F:/MyRobotics/Processing/. Each sketch will get its own directory under this location. Test your setup: try writing a new program, save it, close the Arduino software, reopen the program using the File->Sketchbook menu choice. Look at your flash drive to make sure the file ended up where it should be.
 
 
 
 
 
== For More Info ==
 
 
 
[[Microcontrollers for Beginners]]  Includes some links for starter kits for the Arduino and other links too.
 
[[Arduino Links]] A lot of links.
 
  
[[category:Microcontroller]][[category:Arduino]]
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Processing is the laguage for the PC side of PC <-> Arduino communications.  Down load it from [http://processing.org/download/ Download Processing].  Like the Arduino language you will need to unzip it for installation.  It will run from the location it is unzipped to.  The file to run is:  processing.exe.  After installing, run it.  To get started with it see: [http://processing.org/learning/gettingstarted/  Getting Started. Welcome to Processing!]

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