==== Introduction  ====


So, I get two or three emails a day, all basically asking the same thing: "Where can I learn about electronics?" In general, most of these people have seen some of my projects and want to be able to build similar things. Unfortunately, I have never been able to point them to a good site that really takes the reader through a solid introduction to microcontrollers and basic electronics. 

UNTIL NOW!!!


==== Goes well with: Arduino Starter Pack and a nice Merlot  ====


I designed this tutorial course to accompany the [[http://www.adafruit.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=17&products_id=68|Arduino starter pack sold at the Adafruit webshop]]. The pack contains all the components you need (minus any tools) for the lessons


==== Lesson Plan  ====


Follow these lessons for happiness and prosperity. 


  ***[[http://www.ladyada.net/learn/arduino/lesson0.html|Lesson 0 ]]** \\ Pre-flight check...Is your Arduino and computer ready? 
  ***[[http://www.ladyada.net/learn/arduino/lesson1.html|Lesson 1]]** \\ The "Hello World!" of electronics, a simple blinking light 
  ***[[http://www.ladyada.net/learn/arduino/lesson2.html|Lesson 2]]** \\ Sketches, variables, procedures and hacking code 
  ***[[http://www.ladyada.net/learn/arduino/lesson3.html|Lesson 3]]** \\ Breadboards, resistors and LEDs, schematics, and basic RGB color-mixing
  ***[[http://www.ladyada.net/learn/arduino/lesson4.html|Lesson 4]]** \\ The serial library and binary data - getting chatty with Arduino and crunching numbers 
  ***[[http://www.ladyada.net/learn/arduino/lesson5.html|Lesson 5]]** \\ Buttons & switches, digital inputs, pull-up and pull-down resistors, if/if-else statements, debouncing and your first contract product design.

\\
\\ 
==== Tools  ====
Here are some recommended tools:

<class table>
|[[http://www.ladyada.net/images/tools/meter.jpg|{{  http://www.ladyada.net/images/tools/meter_t.jpg?nolink&145x200  |}}]]| \\ **Multimeter/Oscilloscope** A meter is helpful to check voltages and continuity. \\ [[http://www.ladyada.net/learn/../library/equipt/kits.html#basic|Check out my recommended basic multimeter and where to buy.]] \\ |
|[[http://www.ladyada.net/images/tools/flush.jpg|{{  http://www.ladyada.net/images/tools/flush_t.jpg?nolink&169x200  |}}]]| \\ **Flush/diagonal cutters**. Great for cutting component leads and wires.  \\ [[http://www.ladyada.net/learn/../library/equipt/kits.html#basic|Check out my recommended basic diagonal cutters and where to buy.]] \\ |
|{{  http://www.ladyada.net/images/tools/basicstrippers.jpg?nolink&150x150  |}}| \\ **Wire strippers **very handy for making wire jumpers! \\ [[http://www.ladyada.net/learn/../library/equipt/kits.html#basic|Check out my recommended basic wire strippers and where to buy.]] \\ |




If you need to get any soldering done, you may also want.... 


|{{  http://www.ladyada.net/images/tools/xytronics.jpg?nolink&150x150  |}}| \\ **Soldering iron**. One with temperature control and a stand is best. A conical or small 'screwdriver' tip is good, almost all irons come with one of these.  \\ A low quality (ahem, $10 model from radioshack) iron may cause more problems than its worth!  \\ __Do not use a "ColdHeat" soldering iron__, they are not suitable for delicate electronics work and can damage the kit ([[http://www.epemag.wimborne.co.uk/cold-soldering2.htm|see here]]) \\ [[http://www.ladyada.net/learn/../library/equipt/kits.html#basic|Check out my recommended basic soldering iron and where to buy.]]|
|[[http://www.ladyada.net/images/tools/solderroll.jpg|{{  http://www.ladyada.net/images/tools/solderroll_t.jpg?nolink&200x204  |}}]]| \\ **Solder**. Rosin core, 60/40. Good solder is a good thing. Bad solder leads to bridging and cold solder joints which can be tough to find. Dont buy a tiny amount, you'll run out when you least expect it. A quarter pound spool is a good amount. \\ [[http://www.ladyada.net/learn/../library/equipt/kits.html#basic|Check out my recommended basic solder and where to buy.]] \\ |

</class>
==== Share and Enjoy!  ====


All of the content in the Arduino Tutorial is CC 2.5 Share-Alike Attrib. You can use the text and pictures all you want, providing you do all the hosting, and indicate the attribution like: "This tutorial is by Limor Fried and from [[http://www.ladyada.net/learn/arduino|http://www.ladyada.net/learn/arduino]]". Thanks!



Love it? Hate it? See a mistake? Post it to the [[http://www.ladyada.net/forums|forums!]]


==== Credits and other links  ====


To some extent, the structure of the material borrows from:



The impressively good [[http://www.parallax.com/dl/docs/books/edu/wamv2_1.pdf|"What's a microcontroller?"]] book (& now PDF) by Parallax. It's for BASIC Stamps but is still a good read even if you don't plan to use Stamps.



[[http://todbot.com/blog/spookyarduino/|"Spooky Arduino"]] - Todbot's excellent (if fast-paced!) class on Arduino projects for Halloween. 



[[http://www.arduino.cc/en/Booklet/HomePage|Arduino Booklet]] - With some really great drawings!