So I just started a project to create a 6DOF robotic arm, and am very confused where to start. I have already purchased a kit online, including the servo motors. They have not arrived yet, but I am pretty certain of my abilities to assemble it, but it's the next part that trips me up. I purchased a Arduino Uno R3 starter kit off Adafruit(Which also hasn't arrived yet, mainly due to delays from the storm up here in the North East U.S.), but am also confused if this contains all the hardware I will most likely need, (Aside from anything I can buy at a local store) I have read many manuals, blogs, tutorials, and instructions, and am pretty clear on the setup of the servo's to the Arduino, but not entirely clear. I have had some exposure to robotics though, but mostly on the engineering and design side, and a little bit of electrical, but I had help, while this project is solo.
The second area of my confusion is the coding, which this, I have also scoured the internet for, which just confuses me even more. Most of the tutorials I have seen expect you to have at least some experience with other code languages such as C++, which I have no experience with, although I do wish to get into coding eventually.
So my main question then is, is there any way I could get the code I need, or at least a bare bones version of it , without making it myself, at least until I have more exposure. I know there are such things out there, but none of them have the code I need, which is frustrating.
My other big problem is control. Most of the bareboes code I do find recommends using pontentiometers to control the robot, or controllers connected directly to the arduino, but for that, from what I've seen I would need a usb shield, which I do not have, and don't want to buy if I don't have to. My question was is there code out there then for a 6 servo Robotic arm, that allows for the control to come from a computer, such as a joystick connected to my laptop, which is then connected to the arduino through the usb to arduino cable? Also, where can I find a good, programming guide, that is in-depth, fast paced(I read how to make an LED blink too many times), and assumes I have no programming experience whatsoever, especially one made specifically for programming servos, and controlling them.
Finally, if no such code exists already, is there any site, or person I could maybe pay to compile the code for me, I know its kinda part of the experience to code the robot yourself, but I don't think Im ready for that yet.