Creative Technology 9: Arduino Functions

Setup Function

• setup() runs once when the microcontroller starts or resets, used for initial configurations.
• Ideal for configuring pin modes, setting up serial communication, timers, and other hardware setup tasks.
• Example syntax:

  void setup() {
      pinMode(ledPin, OUTPUT);
      pinMode(buttonPin, INPUT);
  }
  

Loop Function

• loop() is executed continuously after setup() is complete.
• Contains primary code logic and runs indefinitely until power off or reset.
• Example syntax:

  void loop() {
      digitalWrite(ledPin, HIGH); 
      delay(1000);
      digitalWrite(ledPin, LOW);  
      delay(1000);
  }
  

pinMode() Function

• pinMode(pin, mode) configures the mode of a digital pin (e.g., INPUT or OUTPUT).
• INPUT allows for reading external signals; OUTPUT allows for sending signals to components.
• For OUTPUT pins, digitalWrite(pin, HIGH) turns the pin on, while digitalWrite(pin, LOW) turns it off.
• For INPUT pins, digitalRead(pin) reads the state of connected signals.

delay() Function

• delay(ms) introduces a pause in code execution for the specified time in milliseconds.
• During a delay, the microcontroller does not perform any tasks.

Variables: int and const

• int represents whole numbers (positive and negative), used for counting and arithmetic operations.
• const keyword declares a constant, which is a value that cannot be altered after assignment, providing stability in code.

for() Loop

• A control structure to repeat code a specific number of times, best for known iterations.
• Consists of three parts: Initialization (setting a counter variable), Condition (determining loop continuation), and Update (modifying the counter).
• Example syntax:

  for(initialization; condition; update) {
      // code to be executed
  }
  

• Initializes counter variable, e.g., int i = 1.