Section 4.1 - Buttons and the Serial Monitor
Time for some input!
In this lesson, you will explore the basics of input using buttons, starting with an introduction to how buttons function and their underlying mechanics. Through informative slides, you will learn how a button press converts mechanical action into an electrical signal that can be read by an Arduino, establishing the foundation for user interaction in electronic projects. You will then transition to TinkerCAD, where you will wire a button on a breadboard without including an LED for this initial setup. After completing the wiring, you will write code that utilizes the digitalRead function to detect button presses. At first, the code will be set to blink the default LED located on the Arduino, providing a simple visual indicator of the button's state and introducing you to the default LED's functionality. Next, you will be introduced to the Serial Monitor, which serves as an output console where you can print messages or data read by the Arduino. You will modify your code to print “Button Pressed” to the Serial Monitor each time the button is activated, allowing you to see immediate feedback on the button's state. This lesson will also cover common issues that arise from placing too much code inside the void loop, highlighting the importance of using basic C++ functions to maintain organized and efficient code. By the end of this lesson, you will have a solid understanding of input components and how to effectively utilize the Serial Monitor in your Arduino projects.