Introduction to Arduino

Arduino Programming

In programming we are bound to make a lot of errors. In fact based on personal experience, half the time you take or less to create your final programme is used to actually write out the codes, the other half is spent troubleshooting. There are 3 types of errors a programmer can make:

Syntax Errors

Errors that do not follow the pragramme language rules.(e.g. forgetting ;)
Easily detected by the compiler and recommended actions are advised.
Most common error type

Logical Errors

Errors made my coder(e.g not writing the formula based on programme structure)
Compiler still runs but output values will not be what is expected.
Hardest and most time consuming error to catch as multiple debugs has to be done to find a pattern that could indicate what is wrong. This is especially so when running larger codes.

Semantic Errors

Improper use of programme statements (e.g Using a loop with no end condition)
Occurs frequently among new programmers due to lack of knowledge on how a function works but through frequent practice, occurence is rare.

Programming structure

In programming, a flow chart is typically recommended when trying to visualise how our code will work. Flow charts will usually require one or more of the following structures.

Sequence

Doing a task one at a time
A task could be an instruction, a formula or even another structure.
The order of execution is important in ensuring that the code will work.

Condition

If-else statements
if a condition is met, it will execute a Task A, else execute Task B
The order of execution is important in ensuring that the code will work.

Repetition

while/for loop
while a certain condition is being met, execute task A.
This will keep repeating until the checker variable has met the conditions, thus checker variable must have a way to update after each loop to avoid semantic error.

Documentation

Documentation is a good habit to pick up so that others or future you can come back and understand your programme. This way others can give feedback on how to improve the code rather than spend the better half of an afternoon figuring out what it is trying to do.

Variables

There are 2 types of variables, local and global.
Local variables are established within the function or the block itself and will have its own meaning and value within said block or function but cannot carry this out to other blocks or function.
Global variables are defined at the start of the code, outside of any blocks or functions. They can affect any and all blocks or functions that chooses to use it.

Assignment