Bare Minimum code needed

The bare minimum of code needed to start an Arduino sketch.

This example contains the bare minimum of code you need for a sketch to compile properly on Arduino Software (IDE): the 

setup()

 method and the 

loop()

 method.

Hardware Required

• Arduino Board

Circuit

Only your Arduino Board is needed for this example.

Arduino

Code

The 

setup()

 function is called when a sketch starts. Use it to initialize variables, pin modes, start using libraries, etc. The setup function will only run once, after each powerup or reset of the board.

After creating a 

setup()

 function, the 

loop()

 function does precisely what its name suggests, and loops consecutively, allowing your program to change and respond as it runs. Code in the 

loop()

 section of your sketch is used to actively control the board.

The code below won't actually do anything, but its structure is useful for copying and pasting to get you started on any sketch of your own. It also shows you how to make comments in your code.

Any line that starts with two slashes (//) will not be read by the compiler, so you can write anything you want after it. The two slashes may be put after functional code to keep comments on the same line. Commenting your code like this can be particularly helpful in explaining, both to yourself and others, how your program functions step by step.

void setup() { // put your setup code here, to run once: } void loop() { // put your main code here, to run repeatedly: }