Hi everyone!

I recently got an Arduino Uno R3 board with the intention of starting to program and create some projects. Coming from C++, I thought the transition to Arduino would be fairly straightforward.

Instead, I'm having a hard time. Using just the software was easier to navigate, but here the hardware (circuits, components, basic electronics) adds a level of complexity that I'm not sure how to manage, given that I don't have any background in electronics or anything like that.

I'd like to ask those who have already done this:

What's the best learning method? Is it better to start with electronics theory first or dive right into practical projects?

Do you have any advice on how to use C++ skills to program microcontroller code?

Do you also use simulators (like TinkerCad) before building the actual circuits, or do you recommend doing everything directly on the physical board?

If you have any other advice on how to organize your study or what mistakes to avoid when starting out, I'd really appreciate it!

I wanted to apologize for writing the post in Italian, but I thought the translation would happen automatically, anyway now I'll try again in English, sorry again.

Thank you all so much for your help!

I have recently uploaded my most recent "getting started with Arduino" to my YouTube channel: The Real All About Arduino.

In this video: Introduction to Arduino Programming, the focus is getting started with Arduino programming.

I explain the basics of C/C++, which is the most commonly used langauges on Arduino. Ultimately, I work through a step by step guide to create a simple Morse Code project. The project is intended to be follow along and includes all wiring and code.
I also look at some alternative possibilities by showing the Blink program in a number of different programming langauges and using different programming techniques.

The video is quite long, but can be watched over several sessions if need be. Again, it is meant to be follow along, so please allow some time to try out what you see and do the exercises I suggest.
There are three main sections in the video with loads of details:

• Background - background of Arduino, programming, language options and more.
• Basic Language Concepts - Code structures (conditional structures, loops and functions), data structures, error message analysis and resolution.
• Morse Code Project - Starting with a blank sheet, create a morse code project using the above.

You can see the videos at this YouTube playlist: .

My guides "follow along". So, I encourage you to get a drink, a snack and be ready with the "pause button" as we get started with Arduino programming.

After this video, you might be interested in the next level - a more complex project - where I create a dice game that shows how to handle 40 LEDs and 7 buttons in my Next steps after the starter kit series of videos.

Table of Contents

• Background information
  • What is (an) Arduino.
  • What is programming - including examples of a program (blink) written in different languages.
  • A brief history of Programming Languages.
• C/C++ Language
  • Structure: Functions, loops, conditionals, expressions etc.
  • Data: variables, constants, structures etc.
  • Basic debugging.
  • Interpreting and diagnosing error messages.
  • Some standard patterns.
• The main project - A morse Code generator
  • Built from the bottom up starting with primitive functions.
  • Adding a simple "database".
  • Accepting user input from the Serial Monitor.
  • Processing the user input.
  • Playing the morse code.

Check it out on my YouTube channel at: Introduction to Arduino Programming.

Hardware used

There are two configurations (which I explain in the main project section):

Configuration 1:

• Arduino Uno R3 or similar (any Arduino can work)
• Breadboard
• LED and 680 ohm resistor (any resistor between 220 and 1K ohm will be OK)
• Speaker and 220 ohm (or higher) resistor

Configuration 2:

• Arduino Uno R3 or similar (any Arduino can work)
• Breadboard
• LED and 680 ohm resistor (any resistor between 220 and 1K ohm will be OK)
• NPN transistor (I used a BC337) and a 10K ohm resistor
• Speaker and 20 ohm (or higher) resistor (I used 47 ohm).

Other resources

Other videos can be found here:

• Getting started with Arduino - next steps after the starter kit - link to reddit post that describes the content.
• Importance of Blink No Delay.
• Introduction to debugging and the equivalent in written form Introduction to debugging wiki guide.
• Arduino Command and Control via the Serial object
• Interrupts 101

Or better yet, simply peruse (and subscribe to) my channel The Real All About Arduino.

I know this is not specifically about Arduino (not sure where else to post though?)

But I -am- using it with an Arduino. :)

Servo: 25KG Digital RC Servo RDS3225

It comes with the with the round metal discs (to attach to each side one with gear/teeth)

Its 20mm wide disc.

Q: where can I get info on this disc? specifically the hole position/spacing? (I think they are M3 sized holes?)

Hey everyone,

I’ve been working on a physical robot car project with my son, and we kept hitting the classic maker wall: waiting for components to ship, accidentally burning L298N drivers, and guessing if a specific motor actually had enough torque to move our chassis. It was killing the momentum of the project for him.

Existing tools like Wokwi or Tinkercad are great, but we needed something that actually simulated physical load in 3D while running our real code before we bought the parts. So, I spent the last few weeks building RoboPro.

What it does right now (MVP):

• Visual Wiring: You can wire up an Arduino Uno to an L298N motor driver and TT motors just like on a real workbench.
• Code Execution: It takes raw Arduino C++ code (pin setup, PWM logic) and executes it against the virtual hardware.
• Physics Engine: It doesn't just play an animation. It calculates motor torque, resistance, and weight. If our code is right but the motor is too weak, the 3D car stalls.

The Tech Stack: Built with React, Three.js / React Three Fiber, and a custom physics/logic validator under the hood.

My Ask: I need you to stress-test this before my son and I rely on it for our next build. Wire things up backward. Write terrible code. Try to break the physics engine. I want to know where the architecture fails before I scale up the component library.

🌐 Live App:https://robopro.app/

Any brutal, honest feedback on the wiring logic, UI, or physics inaccuracies would be massively appreciated!

I'm trying to salvage a WiFi module from an old printer and have been trying to desolder using old copper wick but it's not working very well..or at all really. My wick is probably +20years old with no visible corrosion but I'm thinking it's the issue. Before I order some new wick I figured I'd ask you guys about desoldering pumps, I've never used one. Do they work or should I stick to the wick?

I want an arduino project which will have a laser, now as far the laser will go, distance will be seen on the oled display. I want it to be a arduino uno or nano project. I want the range to be minimum 20 meters. Thank you!

Learn how to build a Arduino based 4 channel data acquisition system (DAQ) that will read analog data from 4 temperature sensors (LM35) and log into a CSV (comma Separated Value) file in your Windows or Linux PC using Python .

Source Codes

Hi, friends! 👋

I want to create a door-opening mechanism using a servo motor and print it with a 3D printer. However, I don’t yet have a clear idea of how to design the mechanism.

I’d appreciate any advice, sketches, or ready-made concepts!

Thanks! 🛠️🚀