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− | === Serial Monitors: === | + | === Serial Monitors === |
| + | The serial monitor is a function in the Arduino IDE that allows you to interact with your Arduino. Through it you are able to send information and also receive feedback or the system output, this aids in debugging and interacting with the program. |
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| + | The serial monitor is located in the bar at the top of the IDE, as seen in the figure below. |
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| + | '''''INSERT SCREENSHOT''''' |
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| + | A few features to note is the baud rate and auto scroll functionality. The baud rate must match the one dictated in the program, this value dictates that rate that the Arduino and IDE communicate with each other. |
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| + | === Introduction Libraries === |
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| + | ==== What is a library? ==== |
| + | A library is a file that contains pre-written code that can be referred to in order to use certain sensors and functions. Often, in order to complete a task like connecting to a server to spinning a motor many lines of code must be written and executed. Libraries are bits of code that users can refer to in order to complete those tasks without having to type out each line of code, it simplifies the programming process and allows us to perform relatively complex tasks with ease. |
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| + | In this module we won’t be using complex or external libraries! But keep this in mind for the following ones as this will be necessary later on. |
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| ==Introduction to Programming Syntax and Conceptualization== | | ==Introduction to Programming Syntax and Conceptualization== |
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| === Pseudocode and Flowcharts === | | === Pseudocode and Flowcharts === |
| + | As the complexity of your projects progress keeping track of all the different functions will likely become increasingly more difficult. Some tools that are often used to help create a layout of what the purpose of the programs is include pseudocode and flowchart. They both aid in visualizing and outlining the logic behind your code, the difference between the two is that flowcharts are more visually based and in contrast pseudocode is a typed-up outline of the code [refer to examples below]. |
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| + | This allows the designer (you) to be able to work through the logic behind the code before creating it, allowing for a far smoother design process. |
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| == Introduction to Variables and Conditional Statements == | | == Introduction to Variables and Conditional Statements == |