Cookbooks
Arduino
Chapter 1. Getting Started
Starting a new project

Arduino:
Starting a new project

How to: 

// Create a simple Blink sketch to start off a new Arduino project

void setup() {
  pinMode(LED_BUILTIN, OUTPUT); // Set the built-in LED as an output
}

void loop() {
  digitalWrite(LED_BUILTIN, HIGH); // Turn the LED on
  delay(1000);                     // Wait for a second
  digitalWrite(LED_BUILTIN, LOW);  // Turn the LED off
  delay(1000);                     // Wait for another second
}

Connect your Arduino board, upload the sketch, and watch the built-in LED blink every second.

Deep Dive

When you embark on a new Arduino project, you’re treading in the footsteps of countless inventors and tinkerers. Arduino started in 2005 in Ivrea, Italy, as a tool for students without a background in electronics and programming. Since then, it’s become a staple in DIY electronics, prototyping, and educational coding.

There are alternatives to starting a project from scratch. You can modify existing code or use libraries to add complex features without reinventing the wheel – but nothing beats the excitement of creating something uniquely yours.

The sketch starts with the setup() function, which runs once to set up your hardware, followed by the loop() function, which runs continuously, letting you control your project’s behavior. Master the use and structure of these functions, and you’re well on your way to becoming an Arduino pro.

See Also