# New to programming

**URL:** <https://forum.arduino.cc/t/new-to-programming/1339447>\
**Category:** General Guidance\
**Created:** [January 6, 2025, 12:59am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/new-to-programming/1339447 "2025-01-06T00:59:25Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 3

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**Author:** ![LarryD](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/larryd/32/215550_2.png) [@LarryD](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/LarryD)\
**Post date:** [January 6, 2025, 1:34am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/new-to-programming/1339447/3 "2025-01-06T01:34:14Z")

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- We often ask questions before offering solutions.

Please respond with the appropriate information requested.

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- Questioners know what their hardware and software looks like but the volunteers here do not. You need to fully explain what’s not working, **and** how it is supposed to work.
- **Before asking your questions,** please read **all** the posting guidelines, follow these guidelines when you post your questions.

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### Hardware

- Schematic diagrams are the universal language of electronics.
- We use schematics to communicate hardware design. **All** components and connections are illustrated.
- As **always,** show us a **good** schematic of your proposed circuit. Hand drawn schematics are acceptable.
- Show us **several good image views** of **your actual** wiring.
- Give WEB links to **your** major components.

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### Software

- For readability, place **{** and **}** on separate lines by themselves, place each line of code on a separate line.
- In the Arduino IDE, use Ctrl T or CMD T to format your code, then copy the **complete sketch**.
- Use the **\< CODE / \>** icon from the ‘posting menu’ to attach your copied sketch
- Examining a variable for HIGH/LOW or true/false makes your code very difficult to follow.
- Avoid magic numbers in your sketches.
- Something like this documents your code for you and tells others what is happening:

#define ENABLED true

#define DISABLED false

//

#define CW 0xB847FF00

#define CCW 0xB847FFA3

//

#define LEDon HIGH

#define LEDoff LOW

//

#define PRESSED HIGH

#define RELEASED LOW

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- When you follow the posting guidelines, volunteers can be more effective.
- When we have a schematic we can speak the schematic language in helping you.
- More volunteers will help when you properly post your questions.

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## Homework

**Some elements will be above where you are now, they will make sense in the future.**

> [@Share tips you have come across](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/share-tips-you-have-come-across/428745/1078):
>
> Arduino links of interest. How to use this forum: Example sketches: [https://docs.arduino.cc/built-in-examples/](https://docs.arduino.cc/built-in-examples/) Getting started: [https://www.arduino.cc/en/Guide](https://www.arduino.cc/en/Guide)[https://docs.arduino.cc/learn/](https://docs.arduino.cc/learn/) Basics of C++ on an Arduino Arduino Programming Course [Programming course](https://startingelectronics.org/software/arduino/learn-to-program-course/) Listing of downloadable 'Arduino PDFs' : Either Google \>\>\>- - - - \> arduino filetype: pdf Or click the link immediately below: [100s of PDFs for Arduino](https://www.google.com/search?q=arduino+filetype%3A+pdf&rlz=1C9BKJA_enCA924CA925&hl=en-US&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8)[[Arduino MASTERCLASS | What can Arduino do? PART …](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrFKGxlcWbs)

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