Arduino apps can include one or more libraries. A library is a pre-built code file that makes it easier to program certain things in your app.
There is a SparkFun RedBot Library (filename: RedBot.h) that makes it much easier to control the motors and sensors connected to your RedBot. You will need to add a copy of this library to your code editor, which is a one-time process. Then you will also need to include a copy of this library in each new robot app.
OTHER LIBRARIES: You can follow the same steps below to add other Arduino code libraries (such as the OneButton library, etc.) to your code editor, and then include the library in an app.
The RedBot.h library contains Arduino code that defines different classes of objects. Each class defines a set of properties (variables) and methods (functions) for a specific type of object.
Your robot apps will use these classes to create objects in your app code. An object is a special type of variable that represents a specific instance (member) of a class. An object has all the properties and methods defined for that class.
The objects in your robot app code will correspond to real-life parts on your robot (such as: motors, wheel encoders, mechanical bumpers, etc.).
The RedBot.h library defines the following classes:
RedBotButton class — used to control the built-in D12 button
RedBotMotors class — used to control the left and right motors
RedBotBumper class — used to control the left and right mechanical bumpers
RedBotSensor class — used to control analog sensors, such as the IR line sensors
RedBotEncoder class — used to control the left and right wheel encoders
RedBotAccel class — used to control the accelerometer
You must add a copy of the RedBot.h library to your code editor. This is a one-time process.
If you're using the Arduino Create web editor, you should add the SparkFun RedBot library to your "Favorites" tab in the Libraries menu.
You only need to do this once, and then you'll be able to quickly and easily include a copy of the RedBot.h library in each of your robot apps.
Login to the Arduino Create web editor.
Click Libraries in the navigation menu on the left.
Click the Library Manager button at the top of the middle panel. This will allow you to search the libraries contributed by Arduino community members.
In the pop-up, type redbot into the "Search Library" field, and press enter.
In the search results, click the star icon to the right of "SparkFun RedBot Library" to add this library to your Favorites. Then click the Done button to close the pop-up.
If you're using the desktop version of the Arduino IDE code editor, you need to download and install the SparkFun RedBot library on your computer, which will add it to your list of libraries in the Sketch menu.
You only need to do this once, and then you'll be able to quickly and easily include a copy of the RedBot.h library in each of your robot apps.
Open the Arduino IDE application on your computer.
Under the Sketch menu, select "Include Library" and then select "Manage Libraries" in the sub-menu.
A pop-up will appear. It will list all the Arduino libraries available for downloading. (If you have a slower Internet connection, it make take a few seconds for the full list to populate). Type redbot into the search field at the top-right, and press enter.
In the search results, select the most recent version of the "SparkFun RedBot Library" and then click the Install button.
After the library has downloaded and installed, click the Close button to close the pop-up.
You must include a copy of the RedBot.h library in each of your robot apps.
Create a new app, or open an existing app.
If necessary, click the Libraries menu in the left navigation to show its options in the middle panel.
Click the Favorites tab in the middle panel. Hover your mouse cursor over "SparkFun RedBot Library" and click the Include button that appears.
Create a new app, or open an existing app.
Under the Sketch menu, select "Include Library" and then select "SparkFun RedBot Library" in the sub-menu (the library will be listed toward the bottom under Contributed Libraries).
The following #include statements will be automatically inserted at the beginning of your app code:
The #include statements shown above actually add two RedBot libraries to your program:
The first library (RedBot.h) is the main RedBot library, which is what you need.
The second library is the RedBot Software Serial library, which you do not need.
You should delete the second #include statement for the RedBot Software Serial library. This library is only used for the XBee Wireless Antenna module (which is not included in a standard RedBot kit – and will not be used for this project).
Arduino has a built-in Serial class that can be used to send serial data from your robot's sensors to your computer for viewing in the serial monitor (so you don't need the RedBot Software Serial library).