Setting up Visual Studio Code for Arduino and Blinking the Built‐in LED - RoboRaceOrg/Autonomous-Racing-Robot GitHub Wiki

Arduino Uno is a popular microcontroller board widely used in the field of electronics and prototyping. One of the first steps in learning Arduino programming is to understand how to control digital pins and interact with the board's built-in components. The built-in LED on the Arduino Uno serves as a simple yet valuable tool for beginners to experiment with basic functionality.

This wiki article provides a comprehensive guide on how to blink the built-in LED on the Arduino Uno using Visual Studio Code, a powerful integrated development environment (IDE). Visual Studio Code offers a user-friendly interface and a range of features that streamline the development process.

By following the step-by-step instructions outlined in this guide, users will learn how to set up Visual Studio Code, configure the Arduino extension, establish a connection with the Arduino Uno board, and upload a simple blinking code. The provided code example will make the LED on pin 13 of the Arduino Uno blink at a regular interval.

Whether you're a beginner taking your first steps in Arduino programming or an experienced user seeking a quick reference for setting up Visual Studio Code, this wiki article aims to simplify the process and help you get started with blinking the built-in LED on the Arduino Uno using Visual Studio Code.

Step by step instuctions

To blink a light using an Arduino Uno and Visual Studio Code, you'll need to set up the Arduino extension in Visual Studio Code and configure the necessary components. Here's a step-by-step guide:

1. Install Visual Studio Code: Download and install Visual Studio Code from the official website (https://code.visualstudio.com/) if you haven't already.

2. Install the Arduino extension: Launch Visual Studio Code, go to the Extensions view (Ctrl+Shift+X), search for "Arduino," and install the official Arduino extension by Microsoft.

3. Install the Arduino IDE: The Arduino extension requires the Arduino IDE to be installed on your computer. Visit the Arduino website (https://www.arduino.cc/en/software) and download the IDE suitable for your operating system. Install it following the provided instructions.

4. Configure the Arduino extension: Once the Arduino extension is installed, open the Command Palette (Ctrl+Shift+P) in Visual Studio Code, search for "Arduino: Board Manager," and select the appropriate Arduino board you're using (in this case, "Arduino AVR Boards").

5. Connect the Arduino Uno: Connect your Arduino Uno board to your computer using a USB cable.

6. Create a new project: Open Visual Studio Code, go to the Explorer view (Ctrl+Shift+E), and click the Arduino icon to open the Arduino Project Manager. Click on "New Project" and provide a name for your project.

7. Select the Arduino board: In the Arduino Project Manager, click on the "Board" drop-down menu and select "Arduino Uno."

8. Create the code: In the Explorer view, navigate to your newly created project folder, right-click, and select "New File." Name the file "blink.ino." Open the file and paste the following code:

const int LED_PIN = 13;

void setup() {
  pinMode(LED_PIN, OUTPUT);
}

void loop() {
  digitalWrite(LED_PIN, HIGH);
  delay(1000);
  digitalWrite(LED_PIN, LOW);
  delay(1000);
}

This code will blink the built-in LED on pin 13 of the Arduino Uno board with a 1-second interval.

1. Upload the code: With your Arduino Uno connected and the blink.ino file open, click on the Arduino icon in the Visual Studio Code sidebar to open the Arduino Activity Bar. Click the arrow icon to upload the code to the Arduino Uno.

2. Verify and upload: After the upload process completes, you should see the status in the lower-right corner of Visual Studio Code. If everything goes well, the code will be successfully uploaded to the Arduino Uno, and the LED on pin 13 will start blinking.

That's it! You've successfully set up Visual Studio Code to program and upload code to an Arduino Uno.