Compiling and uploading Arduino sketches via the command line can be achieved using several tools and methods, each suited to different needs and preferences. Here’s an overview of the most common approaches:
1. Arduino CLI:
The Arduino Command Line Interface (CLI) is a powerful tool that allows you to compile and upload sketches directly from the terminal. It’s cross-platform and supports a wide range of boards.
Installation: You can download the Arduino CLI from the official Arduino CLI GitHub repository.
Usage: After installation, you can compile and upload a sketch using commands like:
arduino-cli compile --fqbn arduino:avr:uno /path/to/sketch arduino-cli upload -p /dev/ttyUSB0 --fqbn arduino:avr:uno /path/to/sketch
Replace arduino:avr:uno with the Fully Qualified Board Name (FQBN) of your board, and /dev/ttyUSB0 with the appropriate port.
2. Arduino IDE Command Line Interface:
The Arduino IDE itself offers command-line functionality, allowing you to compile and upload sketches without opening the GUI.
Usage: Navigate to the directory containing your sketch and execute:
arduino --upload /path/to/sketch.ino --port /dev/ttyUSB0
Ensure that the arduino executable is in your system’s PATH. Note that this method may still invoke the GUI on some systems.
3. PlatformIO:
PlatformIO is an open-source ecosystem for IoT development with a robust command-line interface. It supports multiple platforms and frameworks, including Arduino.
Installation: Install PlatformIO using Python’s package manager:
pip install platformio
Usage: Within your project directory, you can compile and upload using:
pio run pio run --target upload
PlatformIO automatically manages dependencies and configurations, streamlining the development process.
4. Makefile with AVR-GCC and AVRDude:
For those who prefer traditional build systems, using a Makefile with avr-gcc for compilation and avrdude for uploading is an option. This method requires manual setup and is more suitable for advanced users.
Setup: You’ll need to write a Makefile that defines the build and upload process, specifying the source files, compiler options, and target device. An example Makefile can be found in various online repositories.
Usage: With the Makefile configured, compile and upload by running:
make make upload
5. Ino Tool:
Ino is a command-line toolkit for working with Arduino sketches. However, it’s worth noting that Ino is no longer actively maintained, and users may encounter compatibility issues with newer Arduino boards and software versions.
Serial Monitoring:
To monitor serial output from your Arduino, you can use terminal programs like screen, minicom, or picocom.
Example with screen:
screen /dev/ttyUSB0 9600
Replace /dev/ttyUSB0 with your device’s port and 9600 with the baud rate specified in your sketch.
Each of these methods offers a different balance of simplicity and control. For most users, the Arduino CLI provides a straightforward and efficient way to manage Arduino projects from the command line. Advanced users with specific needs might prefer PlatformIO or a custom Makefile setup.
For a visual demonstration of reading numbers from the serial monitor using Arduino, you might find the following tutorial helpful: