BeagleBone For Dummies

The definitive, easy-to-use guide to the popular BeagleBone board

BeagleBone For Dummies is the definitive beginner’s guide to using the popular BeagleBone board to learn electronics and programming. Unlike other books that require previous knowledge of electronics, Linux, and Python, this one assumes you know nothing at all, and guides you step-by-step throughout the process of getting acquainted with your BeagleBone Original or BeagleBone Black. You’ll learn how to get set up, use the software, build the hardware, and code your projects, with plenty of examples to walk you through the process. You’ll move carefully through your first BeagleBone project, then get ideas for branching out from there to create even better, more advanced programs.

The BeagleBone is a tiny computer board about the size of a credit card that has all the capability of a desktop. Its affordability and ease of use has made it popular among hobbyists, hardware enthusiasts, and programmers alike, and it’s time for you to join their ranks as you officially dive into the world of microcomputers. This book removes the guesswork from using the popular BeagleBone board and shows you how to get up and running in no time. * Download the operating system and connect your BeagleBone * Learn to navigate the desktop environment * Start programming with Python and Bonescript * Build your first project, and find plans for many more

To learn BeagleBone, you could spend hours on the Internet and still never find the information you need, or you can get everything you need here. This book appeals to all new and inexperienced hobbyists, tinkerers, electronics gurus, hackers, budding programmers, engineers, and hardware geeks who want to learn how to get the most out of their powerful BeagleBone.

Table of Contents

Part I: Getting Started with the BeagleBone
Chapter 1: Introducing the BeagleBone
Chapter 2: Installing the Operating System
Chapter 3: Connecting Your BeagleBone

Part II: Covering the Basics
Chapter 4: Introducing the Linux Shell
Chapter 5: Designing Circuits
Chapter 6: Introducing Digital Electronics with the BeagleBone

Part III: Programming with BoneScript
Chapter 7: Introducing BoneScript
Chapter 8: Experimenting with BoneScript

Part IV: Programming with Python
Chapter 9: Introducing Python
Chapter 10: Experimenting with Python
Chapter 11: Mastering the Art of Coding

Part V: Turning Your BeagleBone into a Desktop Computer
Chapter 12: Using Your BeagleBone Black as a Desktop Computer
Chapter 13: Building Your Website

Part VI: Playing with the BeagleBone
Chapter 14: Building Your First Project
Chapter 15: Running Your Home Automation Web Server

Part VII: The Part of Tens
Chapter 16: Ten Amazing Projects for the BeagleBone
Chapter 17: Ten Resources and Tips for BeagleBone Users

Appendix A: Troubleshooting
Appendix B: Controlling BeagleBone’s GPIOs
Appendix C: Guide to the BeagleBone’s GPIOs