If you're completely new, a starter kit is a good way to go. They might seem expensive but actually can cost less than buying all the parts individually. As a bonus, assure that either the starter kit includes some introductory lessons for you to walk through or that you have located some online.
Amazon usually has good deals on these kits. Examples:
Otherwise, parts of a good kit might include: an Arduino board, a breadboard, jumper wires, some LED lights, resistors, capacitors, diodes, random sensors, a servos to start.
Your PC (can be Windows, Mac, Linux) with a USB port. Software to run code. Code?! Don't worry, you don't have to be a programmer here. Let's review a process:
- Pull a plan together. (even if it's just going to instructables.com and turning on some LED lights)
- Gather your equipment.
- Turn on a computer that has a USB port.
- Get some software to interact with your Arduino. Easiest is here.
- Attach all wires and components per lesson diagram.
- Copy paste code from lesson into your software.
- Build the code and then push it to the Arduino and watch the results.
HEADS-UP!:
- GOTCHA #1: The lessons. Sometimes the lessons will have a big in the code or show a wire hooked up to the breadboard in a way that doesn't work for you. Google your project and error. Someone has probably already been there and fixed that.
- GOTCHA #2: Your wiring. If there are no errors but something doesn't work, check how you've set up your components.
- GOTCHA #3: Uploading your code. It's probably going to happen: some type of COM port error that will be called out by a process named "avrdude." I'll try to remember to write a post for that.
- GOTCHA #4: Powering your project. If you have too much power going to your Arduino, you can fry it. To start, try to power your project via your USB port. Most projects are 3.5V or 5V and batteries can work as well. But, avoid wall power for a while.
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