Last Updated: 20/07/2021
Getting Started - Installing the Arduino IDE
Lessons >> Basics >> Getting Started - Installing the Arduino IDE
What is the Arduino IDE?
The Arduino IDE is the program we will use for writing our programs in.
What does IDE mean?
IDE stands for "integrated Development Environment" and takes the code that we will write in C++ and checks to see if it has been written correctly and then converts it into the language that the Arduino understands (lot's of 0 ans 1's) and finally uploads it into the Arduino so the Arduino does what we want it to do... or at least we hope it does.
The Arduino IDE is very good at hiding all the background work from the user and is designed to allow you to get on with your prigramming as quickly as possible.
There are other IDE's for the Arduino and if you know what you are doing you could write your code in Notepad or some other text editor. However for these lessons we will use the Arduino IDE.
How to download the Arduino IDE
Time to get started...
What version do you need?
Arduino IDE 2.3.1 or greater works with the operating systems listed on the right hand panel. For older systems see lower down the page for the legacy IDE version 1.8.19
Go to www.arduino.cc/en/software and select the version, make a donation if you wish or select "Just Download".
A guide to installing the Version 2 IDE is at https://docs.arduino.cc/software/ide-v2/tutorials/getting-started/ide-v2-downloading-and-installing/
Further down the page you will find the legacy IDE version 1.8.19, this works with older or less powerful operating systems.
The older IDE has exactly the same programming ability as the new version. I often still use it as it has a better Serial Monitor.
The guide to install the IDE is at https://docs.arduino.cc/software/ide/#ide-v1
Once the download has completed it's time to install the software.
There are links to additional installation guides below.
Additional Resource Links
More help on downloading the Arduino IDE is available at https://www.arduino.cc/en/GuideComments
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and use Getting Started - Installing the Arduino IDE as a reference.