How to use button switch to start a program?

Using Arduino Programming Questions
1

Hello all i just recently got into using a arduino and by recent i mean 2 days lol. Anyways I am making a automated can crusher and am having trouble finding a proper way to start my program using a button switch. Eventually when i am finished i will be using a proximity switch to activate to program/can crusher but until then i would like to use a simple button switch for testing. Sorry for the inconvenience any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated! if it helps any here is my program i have came up with so far.

P.S sorry for the sloppy program its in the works. Just looking how to start it by simply pushing a button thanks again!

#include <LiquidCrystal.h> // library Code to use lcd display

LiquidCrystal lcd(12, 11, 5, 4, 3, 2); //Pin #'s used on lcd display

#define RELAY1 7

#define RELAY2 8

void setup() {

lcd.begin(16,2);
lcd.setCursor(0, 2);
lcd.print("The Magic Tavern");

pinMode (RELAY1, OUTPUT); // lETTING PROGRAM KNOW THAT PINS ARE OUTPUTS FOR RELAY

delay (500); //cylinder #1 Extending

pinMode (RELAY2, OUTPUT);

digitalWrite (RELAY1,LOW);

delay(500); // Pause between cycle

digitalWrite(RELAY1,HIGH);

delay (7000); // Cylinder #2 Extending

digitalWrite(RELAY2,LOW);

delay(500);

digitalWrite(RELAY2,HIGH);

lcd.begin(16,2);
lcd.setCursor(0, 2);
lcd.print("The Magic Tavern");

lcd.begin(16, 1);
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print("GRAB ANOTHER COLD ONE");
delay(1000);

for (int positionCounter = 0; positionCounter < 8; positionCounter++) { // scrolls 17 positions (string length) to the left

lcd.scrollDisplayLeft();

delay(250);
}

for (int positionCounter = 0; positionCounter < 16; positionCounter++) {
// scroll one position left:
lcd.scrollDisplayLeft();
// wait a bit:
delay(250);

}

// delay at the end of the full loop:

lcd.noDisplay();

lcd.begin(16,2);
lcd.setCursor(0, 2);
lcd.print("The Magic Tavern");

}

void loop() { }

2

Hello and welcome to the Arduino world.
First off, please read the "how to" at the top of each Forum. There, you would have learned how to properly put your code in an inquiry.
Second, the Arduino will automatically run the "Setup" function once. It will then continually run the "Loop" part of the program.

What you Need to do is move the code that does the crushing either inside an "If" structure, or better yet, to a function of ist own.

Secondly, within the Loop function, test if the button is pressed and if it is pressed, either execute the code you already have, or make a call to the function I recommend you create.

If you Need further assistance detecting the button press, debouncing it, etc. please search the Forum before posting the question. The answers are all already there.

3

Thank you for your reply I should have read through the forum first so i apologize. I am just having difficulty getting this to work properly i appreciate the advice!