New to being a maker

ps, I think Arduino would be a good next step when you're ready to level up, but it's a bit of a leap up from Micro:bit.

Micro:bit is easier to get started with, but Arduino is super affordable and has years of tutorials and examples you can look at so you can cut and paste code and learn from the existing examples.

But C can be very unforgiving to work with.

My favourite Arduino Getting-Started is Oomlout ARDX: ARDX – Arduino Expermentation Kit « .:oomlout:.

It is definitely a lot more complicated though.

Also, with Micro:bit you don't immediately have to jump into making connections with wires for it to do things. That is another level of complexity that can add frustration.

But, like a good puzzle, it can also be very satisfying when you get a project running

Nate, welcome onboard!

My two cents opinion, also based on what I can recall when I started, years and years ago. I have read the comments to your post and I agree almost with all about two main points: the budget and the language.

But

1. The budget at this moment is meaningless, you should still find a path that is comfortable for you, and this mostly depends on your personal interests and attitudes. For now, I suggest to keep a low budget and try the most affordable direction to have as much as possible the widest scenario in front of you.

2. Honestly, I think you can't have real preferences in some language respect another just because you are new to programming.

Based on this personal consideration I suggest starting investing a few to see what you get and what is your more interesting environment. Regardless of how much money you can invest, sure the next step – buying components and more – will be in the best direction for you. I suggest starting with BBC micro:bit for the reason that with this cheap and powerful device you have the possibility to explore most of the possibilities offered by microcontrollers and languages.

In fact, with 10 $ board, you have the basic components to manage a microcontroller, a set of essential sensors, a basic display, an easy way to make testing circuits (and a robust board too). With microbit you can start exploring more than a single language, at least to have an idea of how these works in the microcontroller world:

• Program easily with the visual language Make Blocks. Then See what does it mean the same coding just switching the online editor and read and access the blocks corresponding Java language. In this step, you don't need to take care of the IDE and the editor, it is available online.
• Program with micro Python from the same editor, another small step ahead. And start learning the bases of the second most popular programming language for microcontrollers.
• Install a simple ide – the Mu Code and start programming the micro:bit with both micro Python and C

After doing some projects following this approach sure you will have a better idea of what many things now seem obscure and critics become more understandable. Following this path, I think you find things you need and don't have: from the soldering iron to a good testing instrument, from searching a good manual or inventing a good project by yourself, breadboard, some more sensors, and so on. At this point, you have a more clear idea of what is the budget you can consider.

Then if you can afford it try forking your activity comparing what you can do with this first microcontroller and the Arduinos family. But in the meantime, try starting exploring with a Raspberry Pi how many more projects can be done and what other things can't be as a microcontroller is needed. And so on.

In the meantime, time passes, you can explore the incredible quantity of stuff available on this community, as well as following the new project, ideas, suggestions, challenges, road tests and more. And chat with us, don't be shy and ask; if your knowledge is zero (for now), you are only in the same condition where every other member was when started. And you find here a lot of valuable members happy to suggest, advice and support.

In my opinion, this is the best way to invest your budget without spending money for nothing and learning new things and solutions every day.

BTW, if you are interested in the micro:bit I published in past a series of workshop articles everyone focused on a different easy to do project, in a progressive growing complexity. Now the series is at the point of My coding and micro Python. I can send you privately a copy of these articles if you think they can be useful.

Enrico

What is your back ground?

Your membership date indicates you have been with the community just short of a year. I will assume from that you have experienced the E14 community. Your message indicates you are new to programming. What does that mean in terms of experience?

Providing your back ground (i.e. engineering student or high school student looking for technology career) can help members guide you. What access do you have to resources? Some programming can be done from the PC but if you are thinking maker, then you are might be interested in single board computers (SBC)related stuff.

I'm currently working through an online programming course I hope to use on SBC's. Add a little CV to your questions and we can narrow down your search.