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Learn To Program Arduino IV: Electrical Resistance and Code Reusuability (1 of 2)

Now that we’re comfortable with using our Nanos, breadboards, and navigating the Arduino IDE, it is time to start learning! We’re still in the introductory stages of this series, so I’ll give you very basic explanations now, to help you understand, and expand your knowledge with more in-depth details as we progress in future posts. Part 1 of this project covers resistors (electrical resistance) and, Part 2 will cover writing your code so that it uses functions (re-usability).

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Learn To Program Arduino: Part III – Functions, Syntax, and the Breadboard

We’re continuing with our “Arduino for Absolute Beginners” series, which has so far covered the installation and testing of a Nano board (HERE), as well as the major components of the Arduino IDE and an introduction to using the Serial Monitor for debugging (HERE). This entry covers important syntax, introduces functions and re-usability of code, and we start working with breadboards. ALSO! I asked my buddy Cola from eMakeFun if we could have a coupon for a component pack which included a breadboard and he delivered! We’ll un-box the eMakeFun Electronic Components Start Kit.

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How To Use Shelly Modules in Hubitat Elevation or Smart Things

I spent a good part of the afternoon teaming up with Scott Grayban on a fun project that combines products from two of my favorite smart home companies – Shelly Cloud and Hubitat Elevation! (and also Smart Things, if you like them).

Scott and I connected last year when I was looking for help in getting a Zigbee dimming switch working with Smart Things. While the switch didn’t pan out (ZLL – go figure), the connection was far more valuable. I’ve found he has a really interesting perspective on a number of technologies and he “gets it” as well as anybody else when it comes to smart home. Feel free to check out some of his public projects on his repository HERE.

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Learn To Program Arduino: The IDE

In the first entry in this series (HERE), we covered the installation of the IDE and a driver for the Nano board, as well as testing the board to make sure it works. In this entry, we’re navigating he Arduino IDE – specifically, on the code editor, the Console window, the serial monitor, and an introduction to the language reference. Please note, this series is still in the “introductory” phase, to help get beginners up to speed, though there may be a bit or a byte that you’re not familiar with yet.

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Learn To Program Arduino

The Smarter Home Club is dedicated to learning, teaching, and sharing, so our next blog series is dedicated to micro-controllers. You don’t need to know how to build circuits with micro-controllers or to program them in order to enjoy the benefits of home automation. There are easy to install products that cover the majority of things you will want to do – but not everything. Learning how to use various dev kits and micro-controller prototyping boards will give you a means to build tools for the projects that commercial products don’t address, as well as helping you understand what goes on behind the scenes with the automation products that you buy and install.

A key point here is that you read with your eyes but you learn with your hands.

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