Installing Libraries

Problem: How do you use code others have written to extend the Arduino's capabilities?

Why?

There are many components that we can use to extend what an Arduino can do and each one will require unique code. Rather than each person writing the code from scratch, Arduino (and almost every other coding language) allows programmers to create snippets of code that make it easier to use a component. You can then save and share that code so others don't have to do all the hard work of setting it up and can just use the simplified version. For Arduino, these are called Libraries. Some Libraries, like the Servo one, come installed with the default Arduino IDE while other need to be installed by you. This video walks you through the installation process.

Installing Libraries from Manage Libraries...

Alternative - Installing Libraries from ZIP File

The other way to install libraries and ensure you get the correct one is to used library ZIP files. Most times these come from GitHub. Here's how you can install them

1. Find a link to the library you want to use such as the link on the Liquid Crystal page

2. From GitHub, click "Code" then "download ZIP"

3. In Arduino IDE, click Sketch >> Include Library >> Add .ZIP Library...  then select the library file you downloaded