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Raspberry basics: Project 00a

Project name: Getting Started with Raspberry Pi

Tags: Raspberry, Raspberry PI 3 model B board, getting started with Raspberry Pi

General

This article is an introduction to the Raspberry Pi. You will see what is the Raspberry Pi, type of boards and what can you use Raspberry Pi for.

From Wikipedia: "The Raspberry Pi is a credit-card-sized single-board computer developed in the UK by the Raspberry Pi Foundation with the intention of promoting the teaching of basic computer science in schools".

The basic concepts behind the Raspberry Pi were to make it as affordable as possible, supply only the basics and provide it with a programming environment and hardware connections for electronics projects. 

Raspberry Pi is like a normal PC - it has a processor, RAM, USB ports to plug a keyboard with a mouse, HDMI port to plug in a TV or PC monitor and you can connect it to the internet.

It's cheap and you can do most things what you do with a regular PC - document editing, playing games, coding, web browsing and so on. 

But Raspberry Pi board have got the special feature that normal PCs don’t have - General Purpose Input Output Pins (GPIOs). GPIOs let Raspberry Pi to interact with the real world and allowing you to make DIY projects.

Raspberry Pi -  the evolution

See the evolution of Raspberry Pi models below:

There are Different Raspberry Pi models. Which model should I choose for my DIY project? 

See the table below for comparison of different Raspberry Pi models:

What we can do with a Raspberry Pi?

We can do a lot of things with Raspberry Pi:

• Use your Pi as a desktop computer
• Create your own programs (Python, Scratch)
• Create your own electronics projects (using GPIOs)
• Build a retro gaming console
• Build a home automation system
• Make your own CCTV system (you need Pi camera)
• Create your own file server
• Create a portable wireless access point
• Play retro games
• Create a music streamer
• Take pictures and record videos (you need Pi camera)
• Buil a webcam server (need USB webcam)
• Can use as media centre
• And much more

We recommend to buy a Raspberry Pi Zero W or Raspberry Pi Zero W full set as beginner and then buy Raspberry Pi 3 B as advanced user. 

Raspberry Pi 3 Model B Board

Raspberry PI Zero W board

• USB ports: to connect a mouse, a keyboard or other peripherals;
• LAN (Ethernet) port: to connect to the internet using an Ethernet cable;
• Audio jack: to connect an audio device
• CSI port: to connect a camera with a CSI ribbon
• HDMI connector: to connect a monitor or TV
• Broadcom IC/SOC: that is the brain of the Raspberry Pi
• MicroSD card slot: to insert a microSD card to store your files and your operating system
• MicroUSB power input: to power up your Raspberry Pi
• DSI port: to connect DSI compatible displays with a DSI ribbon
• GPIOs: connect devices to interact with the outside world like sensors and outputs, for DIY projects.

Which accesssories do I need to start with Raspberry Pi?

It depends on the Raspberry Pi model. We publish the list of them in each DIY project on acoptex.com. 

The most important are the proper MicroSD (SD card) (you need at least one with 8GB, class 10. You need a microSD card to store your files and the Pi’s operating system. The Pi doesn’t have an hard drive, so everything you do on your Pi is saved on the microSD card, even the operating system. You can get a microSD card with the operating system preloaded or install the operating system yourself) and proper power supply (you need to use a power supply reccommended for your Raspberry Pi model). You will also need HDMI cable, USB mouse, USB keyboard, PC monitor or any compartable with Raspberry Pi display, 4-port USB hub (for Raspberry Pi Zero W and Raspberry Pi with less USB ports available),  T-Cobbler Breakout and GPIO Cable (for DIY projects), WiFi donge (if your Raspberry Pi do not have WiFi already) and other additional accesories like case for Raspberry Pi, Pi camera.

What about Raspberry Pi starter kits?

If this is your first time around the Raspberry Pi, you may consider getting a Raspberry Pi starter kit that comes with the essential accessories to get started. 

Raspberry Pi GPIOs Pinouts

Raspberry Pi 1 model B and model A have 26-pin GPIOs, other Rasberry Pi models have 40-pin GPIOs (14 pins extra)

Summary

You have received an introduction to the Raspberry Pi. 

Library

• No libraries needed in this project

Sketch

• No sketches needed in this project