Hello everyone!
It's my first time using Arduino and I had a question. Is there any way for an Arduino to scan a computer when plugged in to look to see if an application installed? If not, is there a way to have the Arduino to prompt an install of the program on the computer?
An Arduino cannot access files on a PC. You need a PC program to do that. Then (if appropriate) the PC program could send a message to the Arduino. However it hardly seems worthwhile in this case.
...R
Not a problem. Consider the Arduino a small computer with Ram and Flash (replaces the disk) which has not been formatted and a few other hardware goodies. It is called a micro for the reason it small and only has a small amount of what your computer does. You can connect to it with the Arduino IDE (Integrated Development Environment) which runs on your computer and communicate with it. The IDE is installed on your computer to solve this problem, program, debug, terminal, and other things. To make it do something you have to tell it what to do, IE. put a program (sketch) in it (unlike people it does exactly what you tell it not what you think you told it). It is very fussy about this! That program can do whatever you want limited only by the capacity of the microprocessor (computer). You will need to instruct it step by step. The best place to start is where you were at when you found this (arduino.cc). There are a lot of locations that will take you step by step through the whole process. Please realize it won't take long to get things working however you can spend years learning the languages and all the nuances involved. Remember you are starting in a new place where you do not speak the language, but it is a fun learning experience.
Good Luck and Have Fun! Gil
gilshultz:
Not a problem. Consider the Arduino a small computer .....
What you say is correct, but I can't see how it addresses the OP's question
any way for an Arduino to scan a computer when plugged in to look to see if an application installed?
It's a bit like providing a recipe for roast beef when someone wants to make a sponge cake.
...R
I do not think that the Arduino is the correct device for that sort of hacking, spreading virus, etc.
The Arduino only has a tiny bit of memory and although it can access a SD card of high data storage, the interface to an operating system is a much higher level of work than we typically see.
The program concept seems to fall into the category of "if you have to ask if it can be done..."
...the knowledge and skill needed are probably much beyond your abilities at this time.
dave-in-nj:
"if you have to ask if it can be done..."
I suspect you meant "can't".
I make that sort of mistake regularly.
...R
gilshultz:
Not a problem.
It is indeed, "not a problem".
This what we call an "XY problem". That is to say the "OP" - DylanGonc as the Original Poster of this thread - wants to do something which he has broadly explained, and entirely independently of that original problem, has read or heard that Arduinox are used to "do things" (which is of course, in itself correct) and having searched on "Arduino" instead of "Check for program installed" has landed here and not read the instructions before posting.
I do like Robin's summary of the situation. 
@gilshultz, you can also use CR/LF with Arduino’s.
What about that sponge cake recipe?
dave-in-nj:
What about that sponge cake recipe?
That is indeed, as appropriate an answer as any to the OP. 