In the previous tutorial we saw which Arduino model to buy. Let’s assume you have received your brand new Arduino (or you had it at the bottom of a drawer, it’s all the same) and you are eager to start playing with it. But first, it is necessary to install an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) (that is, the software with which we can program it).
In this post we will see how to install the standard IDE, what other options exist for programming in Arduino, and finally, a collection with some useful programs for our electronics projects.
How to Install Arduino IDE
Arduino IDE on Windows
Installing Arduino on Windows is really simple. You just have to:
- Download the latest version from the downloads page (link)
- Unzip the file, double click to install
- Next next… next next…
- Finish, that’s it
Arduino IDE on Ubuntu/Linux Mint
Installing the Arduino IDE on Linux is even simpler. You just have to open a command console and type:
sudo apt-get install arduino
You will now have the latest stable version of Arduino installed. If you want the latest Beta or Nightly version you must download it as follows:
sudo rm -r /usr/share/arduino wget http://http://downloads.arduino.cc/arduino-1.5.4-linux64.tgz tar zxvf arduino-1.5.4-linux64.tgz sudo mv ./arduino-1.5.4 /usr/share/arduino
With this, you will have replaced your version of Arduino with the most current one. Remember to change the file name to the latest version available at the time, and according to your processor’s architecture.
Other Arduino IDEs
In addition to the standard IDE, there is a good variety of alternative IDE programs for working with Arduino. Their installation and use is not as simple as the previous one, but in return we will have additional functionalities, greater power, and better control of the executed code. Below we list some of the most commonly used alternative environments.
The famous Eclipse programming environment can be configured to program AVR processors, having all the libraries and commands specific to Wiring, and perform the writing to the device from the IDE itself. Furthermore, it puts ALL C++ tools at our disposal (objects, constructors, libraries, graphical environments…). However, the configuration process is substantially more complicated. In this post, we saw how to configure Eclipse to work with Arduino.
Finally, another of the most popular options for Arduino development, especially for its impressive debugging functions.
Bonus pack of useful programs
To finish, a collection of applications that are not used for programming, but that can be interesting during the use of Arduino and the development of our electronics projects.
Processing is a very popular environment, easy to use and with an appearance very similar to the standard Arduino IDE. Its main quality is that it allows you to easily create graphical environments and user interfaces that simplify the interaction between PC and Arduino. The language used is slightly different, but very similar, to the one used in Arduino. It is available at this link
Fritzing is the program par excellence for creating electrical schematics in Arduino projects. It has libraries with most components, including of course Arduino boards themselves, breadboards, LEDs, motors, displays, etc. It also allows you to make electrical schematics, change wire colors, design our final PCB… a myriad of options that make this program a very useful tool. To install it:
sudo apt-get install fritzing
Update: Fritzing has changed its licensing and is no longer free (so moving on)
Free online tool from Autodesk that allows you to draw schematics similarly to Fritzing. It also allows circuit simulation, and we can even perform “virtual programming” of Arduino boards and check their operation. A great initiative that, for now, still has a few problems. The simulation is slow (try to bias an LED with a transistor, and wait until tomorrow) and as a drawing program, Fritzing is still better. Nevertheless, a very interesting application that we hope will improve and is certainly worth a look. It is available at this link.
It is a small free program for the simulation and design of electronic circuits (EDA Electronic design automation). Easy to install and use, suitable for quickly making small simulations (transistor biasing, low-pass filters, etc.), checking and adjusting the operation before making the final assembly. This way we ensure we don’t damage any components, nor buy things that won’t work. To install it on Ubuntu/Mint simply,
sudo apt-get install oregano
