Tutorial 1: Getting Started with Arduino: Installing Arduino IDE & Your First LED Blink Program

Tutorial 1: Getting Started with Arduino: Installing Arduino IDE & Your First LED Blink Program

In this tutorial, you'll learn how to install the Arduino IDE on your computer and write your first program—blinking the built-in LED connected to pin 13 of your Arduino board. This is the classic "Hello World" project for Arduino beginners!

Materials Needed:

  • Arduino board (e.g., Arduino Uno, Nano, Mega)
  • USB cable (Type A to B for Uno, or Micro USB for Nano, etc.)
  • Computer with internet access

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Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Download and Install Arduino IDE

Download Arduino IDE Software

  • Choose the version for your OS:
    • Windows: Choose the Installer or ZIP file.
    • Mac: Download the .dmg file.
    • Linux: Choose the version compatible with your distro.
  • Follow the installation prompts.
  • After installation, launch the Arduino IDE.

2. Connect Your Arduino Board

  • Plug in your Arduino board using a USB cable.
  • Let your PC install the drivers (if it's the first time).

3. Select the Correct Board and Port

  • Open Arduino IDE.
  • Go to Tools > Board > Arduino Uno (or your specific board model).
  • Go to Tools > Port and select the port (e.g., COM3 on Windows or /dev/ttyUSB0 on Linux).

4. Write Your First Program – Blink an LED

Here’s the default "Blink" sketch that turns the built-in LED (connected to pin 13) ON and OFF every second:

// the setup function runs once when you press reset or power the board
void setup() {
  pinMode(13, OUTPUT); // initialize digital pin 13 as an output
}

// the loop function runs over and over again forever
void loop() {
  digitalWrite(13, HIGH);   // turn the LED on (HIGH is the voltage level)
  delay(1000);              // wait for a second
  digitalWrite(13, LOW);    // turn the LED off by making the voltage LOW
  delay(1000);              // wait for a second
}

5. Upload the Code

  1. Click the checkmark icon (✓) to verify the code.
  2. Click the right arrow icon (→) to upload the code to your board.
  3. Wait for the message "Done uploading."

✅ You should now see the built-in LED on your Arduino blinking every second!

Try These Experiments:

  • Change the delay time to 500 ms for a faster blink.
  • Use different pins with an external LED (e.g., pin 7) by modifying the pinMode() and digitalWrite() calls.

Troubleshooting Tips:

  • If you see an error like “board not found,” check your USB cable or select the correct COM port.
  • If using a clone Arduino Nano, select Old Bootloader under Processor in Tools.
  • Use Device Manager (Windows) to identify the correct port if unsure.

Learning Points:

  • You’ve learned how to install Arduino IDE.
  • You know how to select the right board and port.
  • You successfully uploaded your first program to control hardware.

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