The Arduino functions are the main tools you should use when . For this, it is useful to know some aspects so that this group of codes works correctly.
If you want to know how it is done, you will need to continue reading. We will explain what the functions are for in free hardware programming and the uses that you can give to the functions within Arduino.
But this is not all you can read. We will tell you how this code segment is composed and the step by step that you must do to use a function correctly.
What are functions in Arduino and what are they for in free hardware programming?
for a be completed, it is necessary to attach all the components or hardware to the board and then do the programming. For the latter, is used the which works with some criteria that must be taken into account to achieve success in the development of the program.
When you open the integrated development environment you see the following:
void setup() { // put your setup code here, so it runs once: } void loop() { // put your setup code here, so it runs once: }
Being, void setup() the function where the main settings of the program are written and void loop() the function that will contain the necessary commands to be executed on the Arduino when the board is available. From the above, the concept of what a function is in Arduino can be deduced. We can then say that is a code block that contains the program to carry out the instructions that the plate must carry out.
In this way, it is possible to include repetitive tasks separately, in which it is also possible to divide them by modules to obtain a better administration and order within the program. A function must be accompanied by parameters, which are variables that are used to define the limits and establish the criteria that you should consider the main tool to apply the action that the function will perform.
Therefore, the syntax of a function is:
- functionName(parameters);
What are the benefits and utilities of using functions when programming on Arduino?
When you use the functions when programming Arduino in the IDE you will get the following benefits:
- The function can be created only once, so it is not necessary to always program the same task within the software when you need the Arduino to perform a certain action.
- By being able to use the same function for repetitive tasks, the program is smaller. This achieves activity and improves the efficiency of the board considering the microprocessor.
- From the above it follows that, with the use of the function, you will have a tool that will help you manage better board programming.
- By enabling better program management, benefits understanding of general development by the IDE operator.
- If for some reason you need to modify the code of the function, you will need to edit only a group of commands and not the entire program. This decreases the probability of making mistakes.
- When you need to add some branch or extra task to a function, you can do it through the module. You will also have the advantage that when you want to eliminate some extra task you will only have to move the group of codes of the function and not the entire program.
- By having repeating functions you will make the IDE layout smaller which will generate a much easier reading of the programming codes.
- When you know that the codes inside the functions are well developed, you can use them in other projects Arduino with just copy and paste.
- Being called by names makes it easy to find errors and places to edit to improve board actions.
Anatomy of an Arduino Function What are all the parts of this code segment?
As we told you before, the program runs the void setup() and void loop() functions, so it is possible to add more functions. But it must be taken into account that these tools must obey a criteria to follow, which must comply with each of the parts of the function.
The anatomy of an Arduino function is:
- The first thing to establish is the datatype which is needed to return the value. In this case you can use void, string, int, double, short and more.
- Then you have to write the name of the function. At this point it is important to clarify that, in general, the name must be written in lower case and if two or more words need to be included, they must be separated by an underscore. For example, internet_pap. It must be kept in mind that the functions must be included within the same file with the Arduino extension (.ino) or in another, but within the same outline or sketch. You also cannot use words that are reserved for the programming language.
- Next, you’ll need to write the parameter. This tool is used to indicate the task to be performed by the function. If no parameter is used, this place is left empty.
- Once clarified the type of task and where to perform it it’s time to incorporate the program code, which is the spirit of the development and is the element that distinguishes it from other projects. The codes are written between curly brackets in each line that is completed and must be separated by a semicolon.
- The last thing that would remain of the anatomy of the function is return. It has to be written return to return the value of the function.
An example of the above is:
void setup() { inMode(pin, OUTPUT); // Set ‘pin’ as output } void loop() { // The function starts here digitalWrite(pin, HIGH); // Activate ‘pin’ delay(1000); // Pause for a second digitalWrite(pin, LOW); // Deactivate ‘pin’ delay(1000); } // With this brace the function ends
Learn step by step how to use a function when programming free hardware in Arduino from scratch
To use a function from scratch in Arduino you will have to follow this step by step to avoid making mistakes:
Determine the actions that the Arduino will do
The first thing you’ll need to do is decide what kind of work the board will do in your project. From this will come the type of function that you will use, since a digital tool (for example, pinMode and digitalWrite) or a time tool (digitalWrite), among others, is not the same. What we will take as a model to illustrate the steps of using a function, building a parking sensor. For this, you will need an ultrasonic measurement sensor that will help you detect the distance between nearby objects.
Sets the names to the board pins
The next step is to declare the name that each input that you will use from the Arduino will have. After this you will have to indicate in the command group void setup() the input and output pins.
Enter the function void loop()
For the work you are doing, you are going to declare the function int to call the sensor and you will use the values to set the parameters.
Therefore, the example will be as follows:
// Model codes for a parking sensor int IPAP = 8; int WEBSITE = 0; void setup() { begin(9600); pinMode(IPAP, INPUT); pinMode(WEBSITE, OUTPUT); } void loop() { } int sensor(int value) { }
Create the sensor reading
Now you’re going to have to copy the code inside the function you named sensor. Then you will have to assign a variable that you can call distance so that the sensor establishes the unit of measure of length that will be sent from the group void loop().
sets the return
You will have to include the variable return and assign it as the distance. This will be used for the sensor to return a value and can activate the results of the established codes. When you have this part ready, you will have to choose a variable to divide the unit (in this example, will take number 10, but any other metric can also be included). We will name the latter divider (div). So that, the divisor (which is equal to 100) will be expressed What int dis= sensor (divider).
Includes reading values
What you have left to do is build a function that allows you to know over a period of time the values that will appear on the monitor. It can be used Serial.println(dis) with a one second delay delay(1000).
Therefore, the example of the sensor will be:
// Model codes for a parking sensor int IPAP = 8; int WEBSITE = 0; void setup() { begin(9600); pinMode(IPAP, INPUT); pinMode(WEBSITE, OUTPUT); } void loop() { } int sensor(int value) { } void loop(){ int divisor= 10; int dis = sensor(divisor); println(dis); delay(1000); } int sensor(int value) { digitalWrite(IPAP, LOW); delayMicroseconds(2); digitalWrite(IPAP,HIGH); delay Microseconds (10); digitalWrite(IPAP, LOW); int distance = pulseIn(IPAP, HIGH); distance = distance/value; return distance; }
Learn about the most useful functions that you can apply when working on Arduino programming
Among the most useful functions that you can use in programming your Arduino board are the following:
digitalRead()
This function will allow you to read the value of a given digital pin, its return can be HIGH (high) or LOW (low). The syntax of this tool is digitalRead(pin)where pin is the number assigned on the Arduino board to the digital input.
For example, if you want pin 13 to be considered output just like input pin 7, then you would write:
int ledPin = 13; // LED connected to digital pin 13 int inPin = 7; // push button connected to digital pin 7 int val = 0; // variable to store the read value empty setup() { pinMode(ledPin, OUTPUT); // set digital pin 13 as output pinMode(inPin, INPUT); // set digital pin 7 as input } void loop() { val = digitalRead(inPin); // read input pin digitalWrite(ledPin, val); // sets the LED to the value of the button }
delay()
Among the most useful and used functions delay() is found. this tool Allows you to pause the program for a while to be set by the programmer, is always considered in the unit of measurement of milliseconds. That is, 1000 milliseconds will equal one second. The structure of this function is delay(ms)where ms is the number of milliseconds you want to delay the process.
Take a look at this example where you want output pin 13 to wait 1 second before taking action:
int ledPin = 13; // LED connected to digital pin 13 void setup() { pinMode(ledPin, OUTPUT); // Set the digital pin as output } void loop() { digitalWrite(ledPin, HIGH); // Turn on the corresponding LED delay(1000); // Wait a second digitalWrite(ledPin, LOW); // Turn off the LED delay(1000); // Wait a second }
attachInterrupt()
This function is a bit more complete to use, since parameters are needed for what to interrupt…
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