The Arduino Platform and C Programming

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/arduino-platform

Introduction

## Course Review: The Arduino Platform and C Programming on Coursera Are you curious about the world of electronics and programming? Do you want to learn how to create interactive and intelligent devices that can sense and manipulate the physical world around you? If so, "The Arduino Platform and C Programming" course on Coursera might just be the perfect fit for you. ### Overview The Arduino is an open-source platform that combines hardware and software for developing digital devices and interactive objects. This course delves deep into how the Arduino platform works, giving you hands-on experience with both the physical board and the programming aspects using the Arduino Integrated Development Environment (IDE). Whether you are a beginner eager to explore electronics or someone with prior experience looking to enhance your skills, this course provides a comprehensive introduction to the fascinating world of Arduino. ### Syllabus Breakdown #### **Module 1: Arduino Environment** The course begins with an insightful introduction to the Arduino environment. Here, you'll familiarize yourself with the Arduino board, its primary components, inputs, outputs, and how they interact. You will also learn about the IDE, a crucial tool for writing, compiling, and uploading your programs. This module provides a solid foundation—understanding how to utilize shields, which are additional boards that can be plugged into the Arduino to expand its functionality, is also a key takeaway. You'll appreciate how shield libraries permit more straightforward programming, enabling you to focus on your project rather than getting bogged down in complexities. #### **Module 2: C Programming** Once you're comfortable with the environment, the course shifts gears to teach you the basics of C programming—a fundamental skill for working with Arduino. In this section, you’ll learn essential programming concepts such as syntax, variables, operators, conditional statements, and loops. This module also dives into functions and global variables, ensuring you have a strong grasp of the programming language you'll be using throughout the course. #### **Module 3: Arduino Programs** In Module 3, students will explore the structure of an Arduino program, also known as a sketch. Understanding how to compile and upload code is essential, and this module will walk you through that process. The focus on the setup() and loop() functions will illustrate the flow of control in your programs. You’ll also learn how to access and manipulate the pins on the Arduino board, which is where the magic of interfacing with physical components happens. #### **Module 4: Debugging Arduino Software** Debugging is a critical skill for any programmer, and this course includes a dedicated module on how to debug embedded software on an Arduino. You'll learn about controllability and observability, two essential principles of effective debugging. Despite the limited debugging environment available on an Arduino UNO, the course explains how to use the UART communication protocol to gain insights into your programs. With the right techniques and the use of the Serial library, you'll be equipped to troubleshoot effectively. ### Overall Experience and Recommendation This course is designed with a clear and structured approach, making it accessible even for those without prior experience in electronics or programming. The interactive nature of the material, along with practical applications and hands-on projects, enhances the learning experience. In addition, Coursera’s platform facilitates a flexible learning environment that allows you to learn at your own pace. Whether you are a student looking to add a practical skill to your academic portfolio, a hobbyist wanting to tinker with electronics, or a professional seeking to integrate automation into your work, "The Arduino Platform and C Programming" is a resource you won’t want to miss. The knowledge gained from this course can serve as a stepping stone to more advanced projects in robotics, IoT, and embedded systems. In conclusion, I highly recommend this course for anyone interested in exploring the intersection of hardware and software. Equip yourself with the skills to build your interactive projects and transform your ideas into reality with the help of the Arduino platform. Happy coding!

Syllabus

Arduino Environment

This module provides an introduction to the Arduino environment which is composed of three things: the Arduino board, the Arduino IDE, and the Arduino-compatible shields together with their libraries. We first investigate the board, discussing all of its main components, inputs, and outputs. We discuss how each component is used and we examine the board schematic to see how they are connected. We then discuss the Arduino Integrated Development Environment (IDE) which is used primarily to write, compile, and upload code. We survey the interface of the IDE and discuss how to install and use it. We also examine the use of shields to extend the functionality of an Arduino-based system. We discuss how shield libraries provide a useful abstraction to facilitate programming.

This module covers the basics of the C programming language which will be used to write code for the Arduino. The course first covers basic syntax, variables, and types. Most of the basic C operators are presented. Conditional statements (if, switch) and loops (while, for) are described. The concept of functions is presented together with how to define and call functions. Creation and use of global variables is explained.

This module describes the composition of an Arduino program, or sketch, and the process by which it is compiled and uploaded. The Arduino IDE is a user interface for the software tools which actually compile and upload the program. We outline the use of these tools in the build process. We describe the basic structure of a sketch, including the use of the setup() and loop() functions. The main interface of an Arduino is through its pins, so we describe how to access those pins from a sketch.

This module is an introduction on debugging embedded software on an Arduino. We discuss the basic debugging requirements: controllability and observability. The debugging environment available for an Arduino UNO is limited, so we describe how to use the UART communication protocol to gain controllability and observability. We present the use of the Serial library to communicate with the Arduino through the serial monitor.