A sketch also has a main() function,

No, it doesn't.
The IDE adds the main to the sketch that you write.
A sketch is like a sketch of a picture - an outline, and incomplete.

So? What difference does it make if it adds main() automatically, whether you see it or not? If it's there it's there and that makes it a C program like we all know it is. Instead of saying "write a sketch" they could have said "add functions to the system-created main() to make the program complete. Same thing and more accurate.

It matters not what is added automatically to make the system run. They should have just used the common names and called it what it is - a C program. It's not a sketch it's a program - a C program. Why they decided to "hide" that fact is odd, except if they wanted to avoid the term "C program" to avoid scaring prospective new experimenters.

I’m trying to learn the coding for Sketches and while it’s beginning to make sense I have not found a good explanation on what goes before the voidsetup() function and what goes inside that function.

Hey tas,

It's the C programming language. I don't know why they decided to use the term "sketch", because it's a C program. Maybe they decided on that name so as to not "turn off" new experimenters - I don't know.

But if you get a basic C book or tutorial online it will be what you need to learn.

Did you configured antialias=true?

Oh wow - way better now. 

Thanks.

Is there some document that explains what all of the settings in the preferences file do? I know some are obvious, but others aren't so obvious.

Bought these: http://www.ebay.com/itm/280875300072?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

Ha! I salvaged the same type motors from a toy micro copter.

And I'd like to connect a platform to the motor (that would spin) but I don't know what such a part would be called. Any help?

The thing that connects to the spinning part of the motor is the shaft.

Do you think the Ebay models are "real" Hakko tip thermometers

chances are slim to none

LOL - yea I know. But ... for $18, I'll see what the fake looks like.

There is a problem with the search function, I get this:

An Error Has Occurred!
Unable to access the search deamon.

Confirmed.

I also have this problem. 

They need to upgrade the SMF software. I've posted a topic about it and I can answer some questions if the Admins are interested, since I am familiar with the process and SMF software.

Hello,

I'm fairly new to this community and the Arduino, but I'm not new to SMF forums. I've been installing, updating, and Administrating them for years. I've updated SMF 1.x.x to 2.x.x also.

It would be a good idea to upgrade this forum to SMF 2.0.4. One of the reasons is the "Document Expired" messages you get when clicking on a search result link and then trying to go back to the results. I've asked an expert at the SMF support forums (I've had an account there for years) and that's what they confirmed. Trying to go back and forth from a long list of search results with these messages interfering is a lot of trouble.

The 1.1.x line will probably lose support and security updates in the coming year. The SMF upgrade is free and shouldn't take a lot of time to do. If you have any questions about the upgrade I'll try to answer them.

You can get the upgrade package here -

http://download.simplemachines.org/

Can anyone else verify that this problem happens to them?

Yes.

Thanks Paul.

I wonder why this happens here. I visit many forums including SMF (I have one myself - v2.0.4) and I've never seen that happen when going back to search results. It's pretty aggravating. I wonder if the Admins here can look into the cause. I bet more than myself would appreciate it. Unfortunately, I don't know why it's happening or I'd offer a solution. I could ask for them on the SMF support forum, of which I have an account.

I imagine this should be quite easy for someone with experience.  I have an Uno, but I am unfamiliar with programming it.

I hope this doesn't sound too rude - but why don't you experiment with it yourself?

Have you even tried?  

Can anyone else verify that this problem happens to them?

Thanks.

My calculator won't perform an XOR on floating point values.

You gotta get one of those new, really advanced calculators to do that. 

It's so good, you might want to include it in the Arduino ERW as the default font type.

Hmmm ... I thought I changed the preferences file correctly but now I think it's defaulting to some other font becasue the font isn't smooth like the example, and I do see I installed them properly because they are in the fonts listing when I bring up Fonts under control panel.

How exactly do you specify these fonts in the preferences file on the line -

editor.font=SourceCodePro,Regular,17

^^^ That isn't doing the job.

Ah-Oh ...

You didn't read the new notice, did you? 

How to use this forum - please read.

Delta_G ...

Try the following on your calculator:

1.99999999999 ^ 1.99999999999

My advanced calculator comes up with an answer of "4", which is not 'exactly' correct.  How about yours?

Mine (HP 42S) gives -

3.99999999993

 

Edit: My VERY cheap $3 Casio gives 3.9999996 (I could only enter 7 digits after the decimal place on that one).