Reference   Language (extended) | Libraries | Comparison

Libraries

To use an existing library in a sketch simply go to the Sketch menu, choose "Import Library", and pick from the libraries available. This will insert an #include statement at the top of the sketch for each header (.h) file in the library's folder and make the library's functions and constants available to your sketch.

Because libraries are uploaded to the board with your sketch, they increase the amount of space used by the ATmega8 on the board. If a sketch no longer needs a library, simply delete its #include statements from the top of your code.

Official Libraries

These are the "official" libraries that are included in the Arduino distribution.

  • SoftwareSerial - for serial communication on any digital pins
  • Stepper - for controlling stepper motors
  • EEPROM - reading and writing to "permanent" storage

These libraries are compatible Wiring versions, and the links below point to the (excellent) Wiring documentation.

  • Matrix - Basic LED Matrix display manipulation library
  • Sprite - Basic image sprite manipulation library for use in animations with an LED matrix
  • Wire - Two Wire Interface (TWI/I2C) for sending and receiving data over a net of devices or sensors. On the Arduino, SDA is on analog input pin 4, and SCL on analog input pin 5.

Unofficial Libraries

These are not (yet) included with the Arduino distribution and may change.

  • Simple Message System - send messages between Arduino and the computer
  • LCD - control LCDs (using 8 data lines)
  • LCD 4 Bit - control LCDs (using 4 data lines)
  • TextString - handle strings
  • Metro - help you time actions at regular intervals
  • Servo - provides software support for Servo motors on any pins.
  • Servotimer1 - provides hardware support for Servo motors on pins 9 and 10
  • X10 - Sending X10 signals over AC power lines
  • LedControl - an alternative to the Matrix library for driving multiple LEDs with Maxim chips.

Reference Home

Corrections, suggestions, and new documentation should be posted to the Forum.

The text of the Arduino reference is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 License. Code samples in the reference are released into the public domain.