4 digit 7 segment && shift registers

Forum 2005-2010 (read only) Hardware Interfacing
1

I got from sparkfun (7-Segment Display - 4-Digit (Yellow) - COM-09480 - SparkFun Electronics) and (Shift Register 8-Bit - SN74HC595 - COM-13699 - SparkFun Electronics). I don't understand how to get the A-G pins to the shift register and the 4 Anode pins to the other pins on the arduino. So far in my code I have:

const int latch = 3
const int serial = 4
const int clock = 5
const int done = 6
const int dtwo = 7
const int dthree = 8
const int dfour = 9
int numone = 0
int numtwo = 0
int numthree = 0
int numfour = 0

void setup(){
  pinMode(latch, OUTPUT)
  pinMode(serial, OUTPUT)
  pinMode(clock, OUTPUT)
  pinMode(done, OUTPUT)
  pinMode(dtwo, OUTPUT)
  pinMode(dthree, OUTPUT)
  pinMode(dfour, OUTPUT)
  dataArray[1] = B00010010
  dataArray[2] = B01111100
  dataArray[3] = B01011110
  dataArray[4] = B00011011
  dataArray[5] = B01001111
  dataArray[6] = B01101111
  dataArray[7] = B00010110
  dataArray[8] = B01111111
  dataArray[9] = B00011111
  dataArray[0] = B01110111
}

void loop(){
}

From this point I'm stuck. I have no idea how to get the dataArrays to output to the shift register. So any help would be appreciated.

2

it uses common cathode in that tutorial, so you flip the leds around and invert the data, since the shift register would be sinking the current (same amperage rules apply, but in reverse direction)

if you were to turn "on" a led using 1, your sending +5v to both sides of the diode, nothing happens, when the register tuns "off" the pin, using 0 you complete a path from +5 to GND (same as if you were to connect it direct to arduino) though the led thus lighting it

3

Who woulda thunk that? Sorry, I understand the hardware part 100%, I just need help on the software side.