Arduino Functions

Every Arduino sketch has void setup() and void loop(), but what do they even mean? Find out in this lesson!

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This lesson uses:

Rokit Smart with Arduino

arduino
arduino function
coding
functions
loops
programming
robotics
Rokit Smart
setup

Grade level:

3 - 12+

Approx. time required:

30 - 45 mins

Download as PDF

CCSS

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.7 Language Arts

Grade 4

Interpret information presented visually, orally, or quantitatively (e.g., in charts, graphs, diagrams, time lines, animations, or interactive elements on Web pages) and explain how the information contributes to an understanding of the text in which it appears.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.7 Language Arts

Grade 5

Draw on information from multiple print or digital sources, demonstrating the ability to locate an answer to a question quickly or to solve a problem efficiently.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.6.7 Language Arts

Grade 6

Integrate information presented in different media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively) as well as in words to develop a coherent understanding of a topic or issue.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.6-8.7 Language Arts

Grade 8

Integrate quantitative or technical information expressed in words in a text with a version of that information expressed visually (e.g., in a flowchart, diagram, model, graph, or table).

CCSS.Math.Practice.MP5 Math

Grade 3

Use appropriate tools strategically.

CCSS.Math.Practice.MP8 Math

Grade 3

Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.

Step 1

Briefing video

If you need more visuals for the Arduino Functions lesson, this video is for you!

Step 2

What are functions?

Programs can get very long and have many lines of code. Functions help programmers stay organized by letting them segment their code into different groups that can be used over and over again in the same program.

Learn more about functions on the Arduino website.

Step 3

Void setup and void loop

Every Arduino sketch includes void setup() and void loop(). Without them, your program won’t run!

The code that you put inside void setup() will only run once, and that will be at the beginning of your program. One example is when you want to turn your robot on — that does not happen multiple times!
In void loop(), your code will repeat over and over again. Examples are when your robot is driving or using its sensor to check for obstacles.

Short version: code in void setup() runs once and code in void loop() runs for-ev-er.