Hi!
Beginner here..
I really want to get into arduino, the projects look so cool and interesting. But where do I begin? Seems like all the videos on YouTube that I can find are over my head.
I don't have any experience with electrical stuff at all, what's a good place to begin learning about that?
As for coding, that's even more confusing to me. But I figure for the time being I can find stuff on GitHub to start off and learn how to code down the way.
A good place to start is to get an Arduino Uno and try some of the example programs. Make copies of the examples and try making changes to the code.
In fact you can download the Arduino IDE and study the examples without buying an Arduino. You will be able to compile programs but, obviously, you will not be able to upload and run the program.
Compiling is the process of changing the C++ text that you write into machine code that the microchip can understand.
Also have a look at the Introductory Tutorials section of this Forum and these Useful Links
...R
Do you intend to connect a shield to the Arduino? A shield is a PCB with particular shape that fits on top of an Uno or Mega and contains a circuit designed by someone for some particular purpose, such as an LCD screen and some buttons, or some sort of interface like WiFi, ethernet etc. Have you seen some shields you want to try?
Alternatively, do you want the freedom to make your own circuits from individual components and prototype them on breadboards?
Uno is ideal if you want to use shields. If you want to use breadboards, Uno is a pain. It results in untidy and very delicate rat's nest circuits which are hard to debug if you make a mistake.
For breadboard prototyping and soldering of completed circuits on stripboard or custom-designed PCB, a Nano, Pro Micro or Pro Mini Arduino is a better choice. These can plug right into a breadboard. Use short lengths of solid-core wire to connect the Arduino with other components on the breadboard, laying the wires flat and neat. Much better than using "Dupont" cables, which are notoriously unreliable!
look in the Project Hub here for things worth the bother of building
Another good way to start is to find a "starter kit" (there are many different ones out there) and start doing the projects described in it. You'll get various examples of code and circuits to build.
Another option is to check out your local makerspace, maybe they offer courses for Arduino.
wvmarle:
Another good way to start is to find a "starter kit" (there are many different ones out there)
... And, unfortunately, most offer Uno+breadboard, a stupid combination. Look for kits that offer Nano+breadboard, for example.
A necessary evil... Try connecting an LED & current limiting resistor to an Uno without separate breadboard... to name one of the many very simple circuits that can't be done easily by plugging it into the Uno's headers.
PaulRB:
... And, unfortunately, most offer Uno+breadboard, a stupid combination. Look for kits that offer Nano+breadboard, for example.
But a Nano is no good if you want to use a shield.
...R
wvmarle:
A necessary evil...
With all due respect, my friend, no, not necessary. Use a Nano or similar. It plugs into the breadboard, along with the led and series resistor and a few short, neat connecting wires. No need to nail an Uno to one end of a bit of old floorboard and nail a breadboard to the other end, and connect the two with a pile of spaghetti.
Robin2:
But a Nano is no good if you want to use a shield.
PaulRB:
Uno is ideal if you want to use shields. If you want to use breadboards, Uno is a pain.
So, yes you can use Uno with breadboards, but it's not a good choice. And you can use Nano with shields, adapter boards are available. But using either of those options implies you made the wrong choice of Arduino in the first place!
And they're not that expensive. If you want to play with shields and breadboards, get an Uno and a Nano.
just buy an arduino uno and some buttons and lights and maybe a couple modules that look cool to you.
after you get your stuff install the arduino software on your computer. after that you can ask questions here and people will quickly guide and help you. just make the the questions specific and one step at a time.
...except the bit about buying an Uno.
Its like: "I want to learn to drive". "Oh, you must buy a farm tractor". "But he does not want to plough a field, why buy a tractor if you are not going to connect a plough?". "Errr... well, you must buy a farm tractor because everyone's first car should be a farm tractor, that's what everyone says".
I bought a kit with the pars and an instruction booklet and worked through the examples - I got mine from Sparkfun and it worked for me - should be a tutorial here also - I got a kit simply because I did not want to mess around getting 6 assorted LED's, a dozen or so of the proper resistors and the simple list went on.
I needed the structure of examples.
Good luck
i beleive i and much more qualified to answer this question than 90% of the people on this forum because like you i have never had a day in a classroom, never taken a course and never even known anyone in the tech feild!!!
i decided to teach myself programming about 4 years ago and decided to teach myself electronics and arduino about a year ago.
since them i have written custom code for everthing from advanced AI to 3d navigation to networking and custom data file formats. my recent robot has developed enough popularity in social media in the last few weeks that i think it will be appearing on stages in the next few months.
just pick a learning project you think is cool and do it. everytime you get stuck
i advise you learning two things.... learn how to google and learn how to post questions on the forums.
a google search bar should be near you every step of the way. practice using the right keywords to get answers quickly. this will answer 90 percent of questions you have.
if you cant get an answer from google then use forums like this.
but there is also a skill in getting answers from the "experts" on forums.
people love to answer questions. but stray away from questions with either too much or not enough info in questions. you should practice the skil of asking questions on forums that make it as easy as possible for "expierts" to post quick answers.
just pick a project and go with it. you sill get "Stuck" many times on the way. using the advice i mention above will get your project done and teach you everything you want to know
I highly recommend Paul McWhorter's channel on YouTube. I found he explains stuff rather simply. He uses the ELEGOO starter kit that you can get on Amazon for about $30-36. It comes with an Arduino UNO clone along with sensors, connectors, breadboard, etc. There's also a CD with example sketches for each component in there in case you want to venture off on your own.
His new series....and older series are both full of lessons that build upon each other. I'd say start with the new lessons until you catch up, then watch the older lessons until he uploads more.
Then, you can always experiment and hit up the forum.