is there a way to test pins to see which light up without hooking them all up? i hook up pin 7 to arduino pin 8 and then i can get some to light up by playing around.. but it doesn't work no matter what i do.. :~
I used that same tutorial a few days ago, good starting place in my opinion.
The code written in that example is for a common cathode 7 segment display.
since yours is a common anode, you need to reverse the code a little.
basically, in the array used to display the digits, you need to switch the ones to zeros and the zeros to ones.
once you do that, it should work, provided this is the issue you are having.
as to your second question, yes, you can test the pins that way.
just write arduino pin 8 LOW and connect the common anode (either display pin 3 or 8 ) to a resistor and the 5v on your arduino. then hook arduino pin 8 to each of the cathode pins (display pins 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9 and 10) and see which one light up. pin 7 on the display should be the top middle segment
you're not the only one very very new.. son just open his arduino for x-mas and all the little stuff i got to go with it. him and i are both learning.. it's a struggle - but we are doing ok.. very very slowly.