Beginners Guide To Arduino

What is Arduino ?

Arduino is a micro controller from Amtel family of MegaAVR controllers.  It can connect with other controllers, sensors and actuators and extend your access into the physical world.  It does require some basic programming knowledge but for most part it is easy to grasp with little or basic understanding of programming concepts and very easy for Java or CPP developer.  It is the easiest option to move into the world of electronics without having an electronics engineering background.

What are the types of Arduino ?

There are different types of Arduino in the market today ranging from smaller boards such as Arduino nano my personal favorite, Arduino uno to larger boards like Arduino mega.  They all have analog and digital pins and some adapted for PWM (pulse width modulation) which allows digital outputs to generate a square sine wave to generate analog pulses.  The pins can be declared in the program for input or output operation.  There are also smarter boards and more expensive models which have their own advantages, take a look into the wide range of boards at Arduino Official Site.

What should I have to begin with Arduino ?

You need to get a full size breadboard, not the mini small ones, as these allow you to connect a lot more sensors and wires.  Get a startup kit with a few leds, motors, sensors, transmitters.   Select either a Uno, Mega or Nano with individual sensors that you may interest you the most.   Get set of wires for the breadboard, male-to-male (mm), male-to-female(mf), & female-to-female(ff) pin out wires, working without soldering makes life much better. These are mighty useful when working with breadboard and setting up your working model.

Can I work with Arduino without any purchase ?

This is an excellent question, and the answer is Yes, you can, but it's not as fun. Or it can be if simulation is your thing, and much faster to put things together.  Check out simulators like crocodile software, and arduion opensource simulator Fritzing which allow you to design and run your simulations without need for any tools and also allows you to burn or short out and destroy your boards without actual physical damage as in the real world.