Now that we have an idea of what Arduino is all about and some of the cool things that you are able to do with this software, it is time to get started on setting up the platform. This platform is pretty popular to use, which means that for beginners, there will be something new to learn in order to work with it. This section is going to spend some time focusing on how to get the platform set up in order to execute some of the projects you like.

Before you get started, ensure that you have access to a few things that will make it easier for you to work. For example, you will not able to start with the platform if you don’t have one of the Arduino boards to work with. So, let’s take a look at some of the items and steps that you need to get this all set up.

The Arduino Board

The first thing we need in order to get this project started is the Arduino board. This part is pretty necessary if you want to work on any project since it is the part that will hold onto the code and tell the project how to behave. There are a few different options that you can pick from based on the type of project that you would like to complete. Many projects will help you out and tell you which board is recommended, but over time, you will be able to figure out the best one all on your own.

Even though there are a variety of Arduino boards out there that you can choose from for your project, there are some basics that are found on each of the board. Some of the components that should be found on all the boards you work with which will help them function properly include:

• USB and a Barrel Jack: No matter what kind of board you purchase and work with, there have to be some means, either with the help of a USB or a Barrel Jack, that you will be able to connect them to a power source. Some will have options that connect right into the computer and others can connect to the wall, but they need to be able to connect somehow for them to work. Most of the boards you see will have some sort of USB connection so that you can hook them up to the computer and easily transfer the codes when you are done. 
• Pins: The next component that you should look for are the pins. These are the points where you are able to create the circuits that you want before connecting them up with wires. There will be a few types of pins that you can work with, and each of them has a specific job to do.
• Reset Button: Somewhere on the Arduino board that you pick, there should be a place where you are able to reset the board. This button is the one that will allow your pin to rest on the ground before restarting the code that you loaded onto the board by this point. It is a good button to work with because it is great for testing out the code to make sure that it works. It is important to remember when you push the reset button, this doesn’t mean that it will reset everything on the board, so you won’t be able to use this as a way to fix your board if something is wrong.
• Power Indicator: Another thing that should be on your board is the power indicator. This is simply a small light that you can find near the ON button. It is a power source of some kind and whenever you plug in your board, this light should show up for you. 
• Voltage Regulator: This part of your Arduino board is going to be the part that will control the voltage that comes on the board at any given time. If you have a voltage that is above this limit, the board will simply turn it all away. Remember that most of these board won’t be able to take on a voltage that is higher than 20 volts, so keep the power source below this number. If you let it get too high, there will be some issues with destroying the board.

Each of these parts will be important to the project that you want to work on. You should pick out a board that has all of the right parts, plus some extras if that is what your project will call for. The good news is that most of the projects that you choose to work on as a beginner will tell you the type of board you need to work on, so this can help you gain some familiarity with the different types of boards before you go out and try to do it all on your own.

Hooking the software up

After you have had some time to look at the boards that are available with this Arduino platform, it is time to work on your first project. But before you are able to get out there and start writing the amazing codes that will start your project, you have to install the IDE, or the software, so that the Arduino board will work properly. Basically, this IDE is going to be the environment that you will work on. You will open this up to write out any and all codes that your project needs. When you are done, this IDE will help you to send that code over to your Arduino board so that everything is connected and will work the proper way. If you don’t download the IDE for your project, you will never be able to write out your code or work on your project, and the microcontroller will just sit there without any life to it.

The good news is that it is pretty easy to download the IDE for some of your projects. You simply need to visit the website www.arduino.cc where you will find a link to download the correct IDE. Remember that you are downloading a whole environment, so it does take some time for it to all finish and be on your computer.

Once the IDE has been downloaded, you should notice a zip folder on your computer. Now you need to open up the zip file and save it to whatever location is easiest for you to remember later on your computer. The location doesn’t matter as much as long as you are able to find it when you want to pull it up.

From here, it is time to go into the zip file and look for a file that says Arduino.EXE. This is the file that you need to open and run in order to start the installation. Along the way, you will run into a few command prompts for this process. You can read through them to see what they say and then click next or agree to continue one. After the IDE has been installed and all the right components are in place, you are set. You can start on some of your own projects or look up a few that you think are good. The IDE is all ready for you to work with and you can easily write out your codes and send them right over to the Arduino board when you are done.

And that is all that there is to the whole process. While you will be able to do some amazing projects with the help of the Arduino board and software, getting it all set up so that you can start is not a complicated procedure. By the time you finish the steps above, you will be ready to learn a bit of coding and get started on your very first project.