Sketch > Add file

Projects Programming
1

When I add a file to a sketch, such as a example.h file, the behaviour of the Arduino IDE is a little confusing.

I placed example.h in the same folder as my sketch and clicked Sketch > Add file

The IDE added a subfolder called example.h, containing a file example.h.ino !

I didn't see anything in the code relating to this and typing

#include "example.h"

yielded errors about being unable to find the file.

So I removed the automatically added .ino extension and tried again. No luck.

I decided to use Sketch > Add file again. It said "Would you like to replace example.h?" Upon clicking Yes it said "could not delete"

I am not understanding the reasons for all this.
Why the .ino extension? - I didn't ask for that - I already have my main .ino file.
Where is Arduino storing this info?
Why can't I just use my own include statements?

Thank you for any insight.

2

Well, just tried another suggestion: create a libraries folder with your .h file. Then use Sketch > Add file..

It then copied the .h file to the same folder as my info file - which is what I had done in the first place!

I don't know, at least Arduino IDE now opens the included files with the .ino file.
I deleted the library folder and tested it again and it seems to work.

I'd still like to know please: Where is the meta data stored (for knowing which files are part of the project)?
Thanks

3

Hmm. I'm not sure what "add file" does.
To add a .h file, use the little triangle in the upper right corner just below the Serial Monitor button, and select "Add tab"

4

I'm not sure what "add file" does.

It allows you to add an existing file to a tab in the IDE. That file is then saved with the main .ino file as normal

5

See detail on how to add a header file to Arduino Sketch

1461×713 131 KB