Question

What language for Arduino?

Answer 1

Arduino programming is typically done in **C++**, but it's simplified through the Arduino IDE (Integrated Development Environment). The code you write for Arduino is called a **sketch**, and it has two main functions:

1. **setup()** – This runs once when the board is powered on or reset. You use it to set up initial settings, like pin modes or serial communication.
   
2. **loop()** – This runs repeatedly after setup() finishes, allowing you to continuously control the behavior of your hardware.

Even though it's based on C++, the Arduino language hides a lot of the complexity, so you don’t need to worry about memory management or lower-level programming details. It’s designed to be beginner-friendly, especially for those new to electronics and programming.

Here's a simple example to blink an LED:

```cpp
void setup() {
  pinMode(LED_BUILTIN, OUTPUT); // Set the built-in LED pin as an output
}

void loop() {
  digitalWrite(LED_BUILTIN, HIGH); // Turn the LED on
  delay(1000);                     // Wait for 1 second
  digitalWrite(LED_BUILTIN, LOW);  // Turn the LED off
  delay(1000);                     // Wait for 1 second
}
```

This basic structure lets you do a lot with minimal coding!