Posterous theme by Cory Watilo

Project 1 - Rough Draft - Arduino

Arduino is an open-source microprocessor. One can think of a microprocessor as the “brain” of a computer. It is the central unit that takes in information and processes it out. The important term to note in this definition of Arduino, is that it is open-source. Open-source means that we can see how this microprocessor was made, to the point that we can actually create it ourselves. One might hear the term open-source more often in conjunction with the operating system, Linux. Linux is open-source because the source code is available to everybody. In other words, we can see the recipe used to cook up Linux. Unlike a common operating system that I'm sure most of us are familiar with, Windows, it is not open-source. Microsoft hides its secret recipe for the Windows operating system.

 

As I had mentioned before, one can think of a microprocessor as the “brain” of a computer. However, you will not find an Arduino microprocessor inside a desktop computer. Unlike a desktop computer, an Arduino microprocessor will use switches and/or sensors to take in its environment. An example of this is the Botanicalls Kit. (http://www.sparkfun.com/products/10334) This is an example where sensors are used to read the moisture levels of the soil and Tweet when the moisture levels are low. Thus, letting the owner know, hey, you need to water your plants!

 

You might be thinking, how is this possible? Arduino is a developers tool. It is highly customizable. One can think of it like Play-doh. With Play-doh, you can mold it into anything you want. Or you can even think of it like Lego. You can work with one large, flat Lego board and the Lego blocks stacked on top of it to make whatever you desire. Arduino is similar in that you can add other components to it in order to make it do what you want. What makes it possible for the plant to Tweet when it needs water is a culmination of the Arduino microprocessor, wires, resistors, cables, senors, and most importantly the code, or the instructions. A lot of mechanical products you buy will come with instructions. For instance, a game console will come with instructions on how to use it, how to turn it on, how to insert a game, what the buttons will do on the controller. Or a microwave will come with instructions on how to set the timer, or the power level, or perhaps the clock that is built in. The Arduino microprocessor is not going to know what to do without instructions.

 

The instructions are not written in sentences like you would find in a manual, they are written in a programming language similar to C++. However, don't be discouraged as Arduino was originally created for designers, architects, and artists, all whom of which may not have a science and/or engineering background. “From its inception, the Arduino was developed to engage

artistic and design-oriented minds. ”

 

From this comes my stance. I believe that Arduino should be introduced to us at an early age. At the least it should be presented to us in high school. During my last two years of high school, I did not know what I wanted to pursue as a career or study in college. I took a leap of faith and decided to major in a degree that involved computers. If I had a class in high school that taught students about Arduino, I might have found out early on that this was the field that I wanted to get into. Nonetheless, learning about the Arduino microprocessor and how to use it would be valuable. We are surrounded by technology. Almost everywhere you go, you will find a computer. Arduino can be a tool to teach students how to program, and have a better understanding of electrical circuits. Arduino can have instant gratification which may be appealing to younger students in that the basic tutorials can be accomplished within a class period. There is a growing support community of people using Arduino and a plethora of real world examples of where Arduino is being used today. (http://www.arduino.cc/playground/Projects/ArduinoUsers).

 

Like Play-doh, Arduino is malleable and can stretch the creative mind to make amazing things. I'm looking forward to see what others can create and see Arduino evolve.