Arduino Basics: Arduino IDE
Table of Contents
The Arduino IDE (Integrated Development Environment) is the software used to write, verify, and upload code to Arduino boards. It also allows you to monitor and communicate with the board through the Serial Monitor.
Installing the Arduino IDE
You can use either the desktop version or the web-based editor:
Desktop IDE: Download and install from the official Arduino website. Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Arduino Web Editor: Access the online editor through your browser at the Arduino Create platform. No installation required.
Selecting the Board and COM Port
Before uploading code, make sure your Arduino board is connected and configured properly:
Go to the Tools > Board menu and select your Arduino board model (e.g., Arduino Uno, Nano, Mega).
Go to the Tools > Port menu and select the COM port your board is connected to.
Verifying and Uploading a Sketch
A sketch is the program written for Arduino. The IDE provides buttons to check and upload your code:
Verify: Click the checkmark icon to compile your code and check for errors.
Upload: Click the right-arrow icon to upload the sketch to the Arduino board. The board's onboard LED may blink during upload.
Using the Serial Monitor
The Serial Monitor allows you to see text output from your Arduino, useful for debugging and displaying sensor readings:
Open it from Tools > Serial Monitor or by clicking the magnifying glass icon in the IDE.
Make sure the baud rate matches the value set in your sketch (commonly 9600).
Text output from the Arduino will appear in the Serial Monitor window.