The book is desined to take absolute beginners in both electronics and programming through a total of 50 projetcs, learning as you go, until by Project 50 you are proficient at using the Arduino.
You will learn such things as:-
Controling motors and servos
LCD Displays
Ethernet shield usage
sending data to Pachube
Scrolling text on LED displays
Touch screens
Reading and writing to SD cards
Making a line following robot
...and so on. The style of the book is easy going, with the reader diving right into projects from the start and not learning theory first. The best way to learn, in my opinion, is to get stuck in and learn as you go along.
The book is full of colour diagrams showing breadboard circuit diagrams using Fritzing and full code for each project is included. The chapter then explains in easy to follow, step by step procedures, how both the electronics and the code works so you get a full understanding of how to use the Arduino, how to program it and how to use components with it. Each project builds on the knowledge of previous projects.
This is the book I wish I had when I first started in Arduino development. It's available now and would make a great Xmas present.
So buy it from the US Amazon then or get it elsewhere if you want it. Amazon sets their own prices, nothing to do with the publisher. It's also available direct from Apress or other book sellers such as Barnes and Noble.
In Beginning Arduino you will learn all about the popular Arduino microcontroller by working your way through an amazing set of 50 cool projects. You'll progress from a complete beginner regarding Arduino programming and electronics knowledge to intermediate skills and the confidence to create your own amazing Arduino projects. Absolutely no experience in programming or electronics required!
Rather than requiring you to wade through pages of theory before you start making things, this book has a handson approach. You will dive into making projects right from the start, learning how to use various electronic components and how to program the Arduino to control or communicate with those components.
Each project is designed to build upon the knowledge learned in earlier projects and to further your knowledge in programming as well as skills with electronics. By the end of the book you will be able create your own projects confidently and with creativity.
What you'll learn
Using a proven teaching style with clear breadboard diagrams, full code listings, and simple step-by-step instructions, you will learn fun things such as:
Controlling LEDs
Displaying text and graphics on LCD displays
Making a line-following robot
Using touch screens
Using digital pressure sensors
Reading and writing data to SD cards
Connecting your Arduino to the Internet
Who this book is for
Electronics enthusiasts who are new to the Arduino as well as artists and hobbyists who want to learn this very popular platform for physical computing and electronic art.
If you are in the US and going to 2011 International CES in Las Vegas -http://www.cesweb.org/ this week - Then you can take a look at Beginning Arduino at the Apress booth (South Hall Lower Level - #26618).
I ordered this book three weeks ago from the american Amazon, it worked out at £22 including delivery.
It arrived some time in the last week (I've been away).
The book weighs in at over 400 pages. Most of them are monochrome but there's a full colour section at the back for circuit layouts.
Each chapter covers one subject and each chapter contains a number of projects.
The projects themselves are always clearly laid out following the same formula of Parts Required, Connecting It Up, Enter The Code and Hardware & Software overviews. The overviews contain any explanations needed such as variable types, bitwise operators, decent explanations of what's going on within components... it's all well written and really clear.
This is a great book, starting right at the beginning and going through to things like ultrasonic rangefinders, ethernet control and SD cards. I wish I'd had this to start with, it's exactly what I was hoping for when I got a starter kit.
This combined with the parts mentioned within would be an expensive, but a truly superb starter kit.
I've been arduinoing for months and I'm happy with this beginners book, with a bit of luck it'll stop me asking stupid questions on here
