Arduino and microcontrollers

In short: A microcontroller is a small computer on a chip that runs a single program and controls sensors and actuators. Arduino is a popular beginner platform for it.

In more detail: Microcontrollers have processor, memory and connections (pins) in one component, need little power and start instantly. You program them in C/C++ (Arduino language) or MicroPython. Typical uses are thermostats, household appliances, vehicle electronics and smart-home sensors.

In Depth

• Pins: digital (on/off) and analogue (measurements) inputs and outputs.
• Boards: Arduino Uno, ESP32 (with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth), Raspberry Pi Pico.
• Raspberry Pi: is a full computer with an operating system, not a microcontroller (Raspberry Pi OS).
• Sensors: temperature, light, motion, humidity, distance.
• Voltages: 3.3 V or 5 V. Wrong voltage destroys components.
• Getting started: blink an LED, read a button, show measurements over the serial interface.

See also: Raspberry Pi OS, CPU