C++ Variables & Constants

In the previous topic, we have discussed data types in C++ in detail. Today we will discuss variables and constants in C++.

A named memory location or memory cell is called a variable. The program's input data and its results are stored in variables during execution. During the execution of the program, the value of a variable can be changed but its name can not be changed.

Variables are created in random access memory. As we know that RAM is a temporary memory so data stored in it is also temporary. It can only be used during execution. When the program ends, the data stored in the variable is automatically removed.

In C++, all the variables are declared first:
  • Name of variable: an identifier that represents a memory location.
  • Address of variable: memory location of the variable.
  • Contents of variable: the value stored in a memory location.

Variable Declaration:

  • Variable declaration is the process of specifying the name and the type of variable.
  • Before a variable is used, it can be declared anywhere in the program before its execution.
  • Information is provided to the compiler about the variable by variable declaration.
  • The compiler determines the memory required for each variable.
  • After the declaration, the required memory of bytes is allocated to variables.
  • Once the variable is declared then its name and data type can not be changed but its value can be changed during execution.
  • For example, an integer required 2 bytes of memory but a character required one byte of memory. During execution int and char data types can not be changed but integer value can be changed from 5 to 9 and character can be changed from ‘f’ to ‘g’.

SYNTAX of declaring a variable in C++

  • data-type: type of data that is stored in a variable.
  • variable-name: tell us about the memory location of the variable.

For example:

int num1=25, num2=1000;
We can also write it like this:
int num1,num2; num1=25; num2=1000;

Types of Variables 

Types of Variables can be categorized in two ways

  • Types of variables regarding data types
  • Types of variables regarding the scope

Types of variables regarding data type:

Based on the data type of variable, there are the following categories of variables in C++

  • int: holds an integer value i.e. 1, 2, 3, 50 etc.
  • char: holds character values like ‘c’, ‘F’, ‘B’, ‘p’, ‘g’, ‘q’ etc.
  • bool: holds boolean value true or false(0 or 1).
  • double: holds double-precision floating-point value.
  • float: holds single-precision floating-point value.

Example

Different types of variables can be declared as follow:

  • int marks;
  • float average;
  • char grade;
  • double salary;

Variables having the same data type can be declared in a single line. Each variable in line should be separated by a comma as follows:

int  a, b, c;

Types of variables regarding scope

When we discussed the Hello Program, we have seen the curly braces in the program like this:

int main { //Some code }

When variables are declared in curly braces then their scope is limited within these braces. The variable declared in main() function can not be used outside the main() function.

There are two types of variables based on their scope.

  1. Global variable
  2. Local variable

Global Variable

Global variables are always declared outside of any function.

  • Their scope is in the complete program so can be accessed anywhere in the program.
  • Can be accessed in the main() function, in the user-defined function and anywhere in the program.

Global variable example

Let us have a global variable myvar and it is declared outside of main. We can access the variable twice in the main() function easily.

#include <iostream> using namespace std; // This is a global variable char myvar = 'G'; int main() { cout <<"Value of myvar: "<< myvar<<endl; myVar='m'; cout <<"Value of myvar: "<< myvar; return 0; }
Output:
  • Value of myvar: G
  • Value of myvar: m

Local variable

  • They are declared inside the curly braces of any loop or control statement, main function, user-defined function and their scope is limited only to the curly braces so they can be used only within the curly braces.

Local variable example

#include <iostream> using namespace std;   char myFuncn() { // This is a local variable char myVar = 'X’; } int main() { cout <<"Value of myVar: "<< myVar<<endl; myVar='H’; cout <<"Value of myVar: "<< myVar; return 0; }
Output:
  • As we are trying to access the variable outside its scope so a compile-time error will occur.
  • Local and global variables may or may not have the same name.
  • We can see an example having the same name for local and global variables.
#include <iostream> using namespace std; // This is a global variable char myVar = 'X'; char myFuncn() { // This is a local variable char myVar = 'Y’; return myVar; } int main() { cout <<"Funcn call: "<< myFuncn()<<endl; cout <<"Value of myVar: "<< myVar<<endl; myVar='A'; cout <<"Funcn call: "<< myFuncn()<<endl; cout <<"Value of myVar: "<< myVar<<endl; return 0; }
Output:

Funcn call: X

Value of myVar: Y

Funcn call: X

Value of myVar: A

As the scope of the local variable is limited so the changed value of the variable is only responded for the global variable and the value of the local variable remained the same ‘ X’.

 

RULES FOR DECLARING VARIABLES:

There are some rules in C++ for naming variables
  • Variable can be a letter, number and underscore(-).
  • Variable’s first letter should be a letter or underscore. The variables 6second, $6payment and 5kg are invalid.
  • In the variable name, blank spaces can not be added. ‘ my var’ is an invalid variable.
  • Both upper and lower cases can be used. User-defined variables are written in lower and constants are written in upper case conventionally.
  •  special symbols can not be used in variables as a name.
  • Reserved words can not be used as a variable name. e.g int, for, while etc can not be used as a variable name.
  • The no of characters in the variable should not be more than 31.
  • A variable can not be declared for more data types. It should be declared for only one data type.
Variable declaration vs variable definition:
  •  The variable declaration tells us about the part where the variable was first declared before its use.
  • While variable definition tells us about that part where variable assigned memory location and value
  • Variable definition and declaration did at a time mostly.
#include <iostream> using namespace std; int main() { // declaration and definition of variable 'b123' char b123 = 'a'; float b; // multiple definitions and declararions int _c, _d45, e; cout << b123 << endl; return 0; }

Variable Initialization:

Variable initialization is the process of assigning a value to the variable.
  • = sign is used to initialize a variable
  • The variable name is written on the left side of = and the value is given on the right side of =.
  • Compiler allocated some memory to the variable when it is declared.

Syntax

type_ name variable=value;
  • type_name: indicates the data type of the variable
  • variable: name of the variable
  • assignment operator used to initialize a variable
  • value: value to initialize a variable

Example

#include <iostream> using namespace std; int main() { int a = 10; int b; cout << " value of variable a : "<< a; // static initialization cout << "\nEnter the value of variable b : "; // dynamic initialization cin >> b; cout << "\n value of variable b : "<< b; return 0; }

Output

value of variable a : 10 Enter the value of variable b : 18 value of variable b : 18

CONSTANTS IN C++

  • Constants are those quantities that cannot be changed during program execution.
  • It is used in the program wherever it is needed.
There are two common types of constants in C++
  1. Literal constant
  2. Symbolic constant

Literal constant

It is typed directly in the program and used when needed. Example
  • cout<<” Hi guys”;
The following statement contains "Hi guys" string literal constant.
  • int age = 19;
Age is an integer variable and 19 is a literal constant.

TYPES OF LITERAL CONSTANTS: 

There are 5 common types of literal constants are used in C++
  • Integer constant
  • Floating-point constant
  • Character constant
  • String constant
  • Bool constant

Integer literal constant

It can be a decimal, hexadecimal or octal constant. Examples:
  • 85         // decimal
  • 0213       // octal
  • 0x4b       // hexadecimal
  • 30         // int
  • 30u        // unsigned int
  • 30l        // long
  • 30ul       // unsigned

 Floating-point literals

Floating-point literal constant contain four parts
  • Integer part
  • Decimal part
  • Fractional part
  • Exponent part
Decimal forms include a decimal point, exponent or both. Exponent forms include integer part, fractional part or both

Examples

  • 3.14159       // Legal
  • 314159E-5L    // Legal
  • 510E          // Illegal: incomplete exponent
  • 210f          // Illegal: no decimal or exponent
  • .e55          // Illegal: missing integer or fraction

Character constants

  • These constants are enclosed in single quotes
  • Upper case letters are stored in wchar_t type and lower case letters are stored in char type
  • A character literal can be a simple character (e.g., 'x'), an escape sequence (e.g., '\p’), or a universal character (e.g., '\u0C0').
  • The characters with backslash have special meanings. These characters with a backslash are given below.
Escape sequence Meaning
\\ \ character
\' ' character
\" " character
\? ? character
\a Alert or bell
\b Backspace
\f Form feed
\n Newline
\r Carriage return
\t Horizontal tab
\v Vertical tab
\ooo Octal number of one to three digits
\xhh . . . Hexadecimal number of one or more digits
 

Example

#include <iostream> using namespace std;   int main() { cout << "Hello\tWorld\n\n"; return 0; }

Output

Hello   World

String constants

They are enclosed in double-quotes. It may contain
  • Characters
  • Escape sequence
  • Universal character
String literals are used to break long lines into multiple lines.

Examples

"hello, dear" "hello, \ dear" "hello, " "d" "ear"

Program for defining a constant

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
#define VAL1 20
#define VAL2  6
#define Newline '\n'
int main()
{
   int tot;
   tot = VAL1 * VAL2;
   cout << tot;
   cout << Newline;
}

Programs

#include <iostream> using namespace std;   #define LENGTH 5 #define WIDTH  20 #define NEWLINE '\n'   int main() { int area;   area = LENGTH * WIDTH; cout << area; cout << NEWLINE; return 0; } Program # 2 #include <iostream> using namespace std;   int main() { const int SIDE = 40; int area; area = SIDE*SIDE; cout<<"The area of the square with side: " << SIDE <<" is: " << area << endl; return 0; }

Bool constants

Three keyword literals exist in C++: true, false and nullptr:
  • For Boolean variables, we have true or false literals/ constants.
  • nullptr indicates the null pointer value.
1 2 3 bool foo = true; bool bar = false; int* p = nullptr;

Symbolic constants 

  •  It is the Symbolic name given to the Symbolic values that cannot be changed
  • A Symbolic constant PI having the value 3.141593 is used where needed and its value can not be changed.
There are two ways by which Symbolic constants can be derived.
  1. const Qualifier
  2. define Directive
The syntax for const Qualifier
const <Data_Type> <Variable_Name>
The syntax for define directive
<Return_Type> <Function_Name>() const
Example
#include <iostream> using namespace std;   const int a = 100;    // Const Variable   class TestConst { public: void display() const   // Const Function/ define directive { cout << "Value of a in the const function is " << a; } };   int main () { Test int1; int1.display(); cout << a; return 0; }

Comparison table for Constants and Variables

We have discussed above the clear understanding of variables, their types and some programs to make grip on the topic. We have also discussed constants and their types and some programs to make ideas clear. At the end, we make a clear comparison between constants and variables.

In the next section, we will discuss operators, expressions and comments in C++. Till then take care and have fun. Thanks for reading.

C++ Data Types

In the previous section, we have had an overview of a detailed Introduction to C++. Today, we will have a look at the data types in C++. It's our 2nd tutorial in the C++ programming language series.

In the previous tutorial, we have seen the basics of C++ and have also discussed a small code. We have discussed various programming terms in the previous tutorial and from now on, we are going to discuss those terms in detail. So, today's lecture is on Data Types in C++, let's get started:

C++ Data Types

A  data type defines the type and the set of operations that can be performed on the data. Various types of data are manipulated by the computer. The data is given as an input to the program. According to the program's set of instructions, data is processed and then output is returned on the screen. Before designing the actual program data, its type and operations performed on it are defined and used to process the data. At the start of the program, the type of each data value is identified. Various data types are provided by C++ and the computer’s memory allocates each data type differently.

Types of data types in C++

  1. Built-in data types
  2. derived data types 
  3. user-defined data types

Built-in Data Types in C++

  • Integral, floating-point and void data types are provided by C++ as built-in data types.
  • The integral and floating-point data types can be treated with different types of modifiers.
  • The size or range of data type is changed by using these modifiers.
  • Short, long, signed and unsigned are various modifiers.
Three main built-in data types provided by C++ are:

1. Integral data type

  • Integer data type: keyword int is used to express integer data type.
  • It normally requires 4 bytes of memory and ranges from -2147483648 to 2147483647.
long b = 4523232; long int c = 2345342; long double d = 233434.56343; short d = 3434233; // Error! out of range unsigned int a = -5;    // Error! Used for storing only +ive  numbers and 0

Example

 

Character data type in C++

  • Characters are stored by using character data type.
  • Char is used to representing character data type.
  • It normally requires 1 byte of memory.
  • char test = 'h';
  • As each character is assigned by a unique ASCII code which is an integer so that’s why characters are included in integral data type.
  • When we store a character in memory, we actually store a unique numeric code associated with that character in memory.
  • And when the computer is instructed to print characters, it basically prints characters associated with the numeric code.
  • Here's the chart showing ASCII codes of alphabetical characters:

2. Floating data types in C++:

  • Variables holding real numbers are defined by using floating-point data type. In C++  three data types are used to represent floating-point numbers.
  1. float
  2. double
  3. Long double
float area = 64.74; double volume = 134.64534;
  • Values having floating-point types are expressed in terms of precision and range.
  • The accuracy in the fractional part of the value is precision.
  • Range: it is for the range of fractions and numbers.
  • The floating point number is stored as mantissa E or the power of 10.

3. Void data type

  • The meaning of void is without any value and is used where functions do not return any value.
  • A function does not take any argument when the void is used to define an empty parameter list and a function does not return any value when it is used to return value to the function.
  • 0 bytes of memory is allocated to it and hence it cannot store anything. As a result, it cannot be used to declare simple variables but it can be used to define generic pointers.

C++ Void Pointer

#include <iostream> using namespace std; int main() { void* ptr; float f = 2.3f;   // assign float address to void ptr = &f;   cout << &f << endl; cout << ptr << endl;   return 0; }
Output
0xffd117ac 0xffd117ac

Bool and wcha_t:

  • In C++, Boolean and wide-character data types are also used.
  • Boolean values are defined by bool data type.
  • Bool data type contains only 2 integers 0 and 1.
  • False is represented by 0 and 1 is used to represent true.
  • Only 1 bit of storage is required by bool data type.
  • As it is stored as an integer so it can be considered as an Integral data type. The results of logical operations performed on data are represented by the bool data type.

bool cond = false;

  • In addition to char data type, wchar_t is used to store 16- bit wide characters in C++. Large character sets are allocated with non-English languages so wchar-t is used to store wide characters.

wchar_t test = $# // storing dollar and hash character;

User-Defined Data Types in C++

C++ provides various user-defined data types
  • structures, 
  • unions, 
  • enumerations and
  • classes.

Structure, Union and class

Important features of the C language are structures and unions. Similar or dissimilar data types assigned a single name are grouped by structure and union. However, in C++ the concept of structure and union is modified by adding some new features to provide support to object-oriented programming. Class is defined as a new user-defined data type by C++ and it forms the basis of object-oriented programming. A class functioned as a template that can be used to define the data and functions that are included in an object of a class. Classes are declared using the keyword class. The object of the class can be created when the class is declared.

Enums in C++

A set of integer constants that are named and specify all the values that can be assigned to variables Enumerators are the set of these permissible values. For example, consider the statement.

enum Colour{red, green, blue, white};       // declaring an enum type

  • In this statement, an enumeration data-type color (Colour is a tag name), consisting of enumerators red, green, blue and white is declared.
  • These enumerators represent only integer values, so any arithmetic operation can be performed on them.
  • By default, the first enumerator in the enumeration data type will have the value zero.
  • The value of the next enumerators is increased by one. Hence,
    • the value of red is 0,
    • the value of green is 1
    • the value of blue is 2 and
    • the value of white is 3.
We can also assign values explicitly to enumerators as shown here.
enum country {US, UN=2, India, china} ;
  • Value for the US is 0 by default in this declaration
  • the value of UN is 2
  • Russia is 3 and
  • China is 4
When enum is declared then its variables assign the values specified in enum.

country country1, country2;

For example, consider these statements.
  • Country1 Pakistan; // valid
  • country2 China; // invalid
Int data types can not be assigned to enumerators because they are treated as integers.

Derived Data Types in C++

Derived data types are derived from built-in data types. C++provide 4 major derived data types that are
  • arrays, 
  • Functions, 
  • references and
  • pointers.

Array

  • The set of elements having the same data type and same name formed an array.
  • In memory, all the elements are stored one after another location.
  • An index or subscript is used to access an element.
  • The position of the element is indicated by the subscript value.

Declaring Arrays:

  • Syntax to declare a one-dimensional array:
//intExp indicates number of elements dataType arrayName[intExp]; //declares array num containing 4 elements of type int: //num[0], num[1], num[2],and num[3] int num[4];

Accessing Array Elements:

  • Syntax to access array element:
 
// intExp is used to specify position array Name[intExp]   //fourth element in array num num[3];
One dimensional array example
  1. Initialize
  2. Input
  3. Output
  4. Sum and Average
  5. Find largest element value
  6. Find the smallest element value
  // name of the constant is initialized const int arraySize=5;   double list[arraySize];   //initialize 7 variables int i=0; double smallest=0.0; double largest=0.0; double sum=0.0; double average=0.0; int maxi=0; int mini=0;   //1. Array us initialized for (i=0; i < arraySize; i++) list[i]=0.0;   //2. Give value for each element in array list, beginning w/first element for (i=0; i < arraySize; i++) cin >> list[i];   //3. Resulted value for each element in array list, beginning w/first element for (i=0; i < arraySize; i++) cout << list[i] << " ";   //4. Sum and Average elements in array list, and display for (i=0; i < arraySize; i++) sum = sum + list[i]; average = sum / arraySize;   cout << "Sum = " << sum; cout << "\nAverage = " << average;   //5. find largest element value in array list, and display for (i=0; i < arraySize; i++) if (list[maxi] < list[i]) maxi = i; largest = list[maxi];   cout << "\nLargest = " << largest;   //6. find smallest element value in array list, and display for (i=0; i < arraySize; i++) if (list[mini] > list[i]) mini = i; smallest = list[mini];   cout << "\nSmallest = " << smallest;

 Function in C++

  • The function is used to carry out a specific well-defined task. It is a self-contained program segment.
  • In C++ one or more functions can be used in a program and can be invoked from the other parts of the program when needed.
#include <iostream> using namespace std; int fact(int n); // function prototype   int main(){ int nv,ans; cout<<" Input n:"; cin>> nv; ans = fact(nv);// calling a function cout<<"Answer is:"<<ans<<endl; }
int fact(int n){  // int to another int int ans =1; for(int i= 3; i<= n; i++) ans *=i; return ans are; // function providebanswer to the caller }
function prototype, calling main program and the complete function definition shown in the above program

C++ Reference

The alternate name of the variable is a reference. So we can say that a reference is an alias for the variable in the program. Both variable and reference allocate the same memory location so they can be interchangeably used in a program. When we make changes in variables, these changes are also made in reference and vice versa. –  reference type variable in C++ is treated as a constant pointer that can be dereferenced.
  • Constant reference type variable must be initialized first and can not be used as a reference to other variables.
  • Ampersands (&) are used with reference type variables. For example,
int result  = 0; int &ref_result =  result; … ref_result =  100;

C++ Pointers

  • The variable which can be used to store the memory address of another variable is called a pointer.
  • Memory is used dynamically by pointers.
  • In run time, memory can be allocated and de-allocated with the use of pointers which increases the efficiency of the program.
  • Assignment and dereferencing are two major operations performed by pointers. Assignment operation assigns a value to the pointer and dereferencing takes reference by indirection technique.
  • If ptr is a pointer variable with the value 7080,  and the cell whose address is 7080 has the value 206, then the assignment j = *ptr sets j to 206.
  • The assignment operation j = *pta
  • Pointers should be used with care because they are flexible.
  • Used for management addressing and dynamic storage.
  • Pointer arithmetic in C++ makes them more interesting than other programming languages.
  • The asterisk (*) is used for dereferencing operation, and the ampersand (&) for producing the address of a variable. For example, in the code
int *ptr; int count, init; … ptr = &init; count =  *ptr
  • single assignment statement can take place the value of two assignment operators.
count =  init;

Example: Pointer Arithmetics in C++

int list[10]; int *ptr; ptr = list;
  • *(ptr+5)   is equivalent to list[5]   and  ptr[5] *(ptr+i)   is equivalent to  list[i]   and  ptr[i] –
  • Domain type is not needed to be fixed.
So, that was all for today. I hope you have enjoyed today's lecture. In the next tutorial, we will discuss the variables and constants in C++. Stay tuned !!! :)

WiFi Temperature Monitor with ESP8266 and DS18B20

Hello friends, I hope you all are doing great. Today, we will create a wifi temperature monitoring system. For reading, we will use the DS18B20 sensor. For data processing and webpage creation, we will use our already known ESP8266.

The project will be built as follows:

  1. Circuit assembly
  2. Code for reading the DS18B20 sensor (we will use Serial for tests).
  3. Creation of the webpage (we will use SPIFFS to store in FLASH).

But first, let's know a little about the sensor and the communication model it uses.

Where To Buy?
No.ComponentsDistributorLink To Buy
1ESP8266AmazonBuy Now

Materials

For this project, we will need the following items: For this project, we will need the following items:

  • 1 x ESP8266
  • 1x DS18B20 Sensor
  • 1x Breadboard
  • 1x 4k7 Ohms resistor

DS18B20

  • DS18B20 is a digital temperature sensor with good precision, good customization, practical use, reliable and low cost. Good combination?
  • The sensor monitors temperatures in the range: -55°C to +125°C (-67°F to + 257°F), with an accuracy of +-0.5°C in the range -10°C to +85°C (outside that range, this inaccuracy increases, but nothing absurd).
It uses three pins for operation:
  • VDD (Power Supply)
  • GND (Ground)
  • DQ (Digital Communication)

VDD operates with values from 3V to 5.5V and can even be omitted. The sensor has a Parasite Mode, using only the DQ and GND pins, and its power comes from the communication pin. This mode works well but is more susceptible to noise.

Data communication takes place over the 1-Wire (OneWire) protocol, using the DQ pin. We'll discuss the protocol later, but now it's important to know that, despite having only one wire, it allows two-way communication.

The reading is performed actively, the microcontroller sends a command and receives back a packet with the information.

In addition to the reading request, the sensor can also receive alarm configuration and data format commands. The DallasTemperature library already handles most of this for us. Including offering us some additional features, such as receiving reading in Faraday.

The most common models on the market are found in the TO-92 package (looks like a transistor) and the waterproof package. This second is more common due to its practical application, 1m long cable with stainless steel tip. It can be used to control water temperature, for example. The reading is performed actively, the microcontroller sends a command and receives back a packet with the information.

In addition to the reading request, the sensor can also receive alarm configuration and data format commands. The DallasTemperature library already handles most of this for us. Including offering us some additional features, such as receiving reading in Faraday.

The most common models on the market are the TO-92 package (looks like a transistor) and the waterproof package. This second is more common due to its practical application, 1m long cable with stainless steel tip. It can be used to control water temperature, for example.

OneWire

OneWire (or 1-Wire) is a communication method designed by Dallas Semiconductor that transmits data using just one line, with a system of signaling who sends and when.

The method is very similar to i2C, but it has a much more limited data transfer speed. Another difference is that in the 1-wire case, it is possible to omit the power pin, using the data pin in parasite mode (by now, you may have noticed that despite the name, the method needs at least two wires: Data and GND).

Communication is done in master-slave mode, in which the microcontroller sends all requests, and the other devices only send data when nominally requested.

Each device has a unique address/name. This allows us to connect multiple devices on the same data line. The requests are sent in broadcast, the device that recognizes itself in it responds.

Circuit

The circuit for our application is simple. We will connect the VDD pin of the sensor to the 3V3 of the NodeMCU, GND with GND, and we will use the D4 pin for the sensor data. It could be any other digital pin.

Additionally, a 4k7 ohm resistor must be placed between the data pin and the 3V3 to increase stability.

Finding the DS18B20 address

As we saw earlier, each sensor has a unique address and, this address is essential for communication. We can understand this as a manufacturing serial number. But how to identify this number? We will create a helper code to find this address. In this case, the code scans any devices connected to pin D4. We will use the Serial Monitor to visualize the result.

We started with importing the OneWire and DallasTemperature libraries (do not forget to maintain order). If any import error occurs, you can add them to Arduino IDE's library manager.

Next, we start a OneWire object on pin D4 and create a sensor using that object. From that moment on, the “sensors” object has all the properties and functions offered by the DallasTemperature library.

And we will make use of two functions Search(), which performs a search for devices in OneWire, and reset_search() which restarts this search.

What our code does is start a search, save the result in the addr variable and, if the variable is not empty, write it in the serial.

We found the result on the Serial Monitor. If there are other devices, they will appear here too. Keep the address, we'll need it.

 

Sensor reading by Serial Monitor

Now that we know the sensor's address. Let's start our main code for reading the temperature. The objective here is to start the sensor and take a reading every 10s.

We started in the same way, but this time we created the sensor1 variable with the collected address.

In the readDs18b20() function we will use two functions:

  • requestTemperatures() - This function does not specifically communicate with any sensors, but with all. It's like it says: If you're a ds18b20, run a new read now and wait for my ” And what the sensor does.
  • getTempC(address) - Here we send information directed to each sensor of interest, which responds to us with the last reading

Inside the Setup() function we started the sensor with the begin() function, it performs a reading automatically, if you didn't make new requests, the sensor would still respond to the getTemp() function, but with an outdated value.

In the loop, we have a timer with the millis() function so that the reading takes place every 10s.

On the serial monitor, we should get the following result:

Note that on line 15, we added one more parameter to the Serial.println() function. With that, we define the number of decimal places.

Creating the monitoring page

With our reading ready, let's create a web page to view this information in the browser. Remember that later we will put these files in FLASH ESP8266 with SPIFFS.

We will build the following screen:

    And for this, we will use two files:
  • index.html
  • style.css

The page structure is not the focus of this article, but basically, we have the index.html file creating the page itself and triggering a javascript function to update the reading.

The style.css file improves the appearance of the page but does not interfere with its functioning.

Both files must be in the data folder within the project folder and be transferred using the ESP8266 Sketch Data Upload.

Complete Code

With the page saved to FLASH, we need to create the structure to serve the page.

  • Connect on wifi
  • Create a web server
  • Create call-backs for requests to this

This step is nothing new for us, but it is worth noting a few points.

Now the readDs18b20() function also updates a variable of type String. We do this because server call-back functions do not accept integer or float variables.

For the server, we have three routes:

  • “/” will send the html file with the latest sensor reading.
  • “/styled.css” will send the css file
  • “/state” will return the temperature variable to be updated.
  • And now in Serial Monitor, we have the IP to access at http://yourIP.

Conclusion

The DS18B20 is an extremely efficient and easy-to-use sensor. The application we developed today could be used to monitor the ambient temperature, or perhaps the temperature of a water reservoir. And the ESP8266 extends the range of that monitoring as far as we want.

The technology behind Online Casinos

Hello friend! I hope you all are very well and satisfied with our services of new innovative articles. Our mission is to provide the best quality content which can fulfill all the demands and requirements of everyone. So to achieve our goal, today we will provide you with a detailed article on The Technology Behind Online Casinos. We will discuss the overview, Evolution of online casinos, types of online casinos, tools, and infrastructure used in the development of online casinos, data sources of online casinos, providers of online casino games, the technology behind the security and fair play of online casino, the technology behind the optimization of online casinos, the technology behind online payment methods of online casinos, mobile-friendly casinos, why do people favor online casinos, advantages and disadvantages of online casinos, the importance of online casinos, requirements for playing games at online casinos like Indiacasinos.com and the end we will discuss the conclusion. So to finally make grip on the topic let’s dive into it.

Overview:

  • For online casinos, technology plays its role as a backbone.
  • Gambling sites can not be enjoyed very well without convenient programming languages, design software, and advanced graphics.
  • Most of the casinos do not design gaming software but hire Partners to design games for them.
  • Engineers chime in with hardware installments, soundtrack, and the coding work to make modern slots addictive.
  • Sometimes goggles and helmets are used to enjoy the feelings of real casinos.
  • Accounts of users are made secure with the help of end-to-end encryption technology.
  • Fair play is maintained by RNG technology.
  • Optimization is done on regular basis to attract more users and provide them with the best online gaming environment.
  • Skrill, PayPal, Verve, and other methods are used to withdraw the win money.

Evolution of online casinos:

  • Most gaming masters play games to relax their minds or to get money.
  • In past, they have to go to the local casino halls to fulfill their acquisition but with the advent of technology, they can now play casino games at home only.
  • The Internet combined with micro-gaming and a new version of games formed called online gambling. At the start, many free software’s were provided by the developers. After that to make online gambling famous, the pioneer and E-commerce technologies are introduced to make financial transactions.
  • Faster and larger jackpots are now available to people with the development of the internet.
  • So many online casinos are now available on the internet with the help of Vegas technology.
  • Multi-currency and multi-lingual options are now available on online casinos.
  • To avoid money laundering, the government provided a set of rules and regulations. Now you have to see about many issues regarding online transactions and many more before choosing the best online casino.
  • Now to win real money many well-established and experienced websites are available, offering online casino games to their customers.

Types of online casinos:

  • Online casinos are not only best for providing betting and gambling games but they also take care of home comforts feeling for their players.
  • Online casinos are the online version of land-based casinos with the opportunity for the players to win real money.
  • There are 3 kinds of virtual casinos for game lovers. These casino types differ from one another based on their interface.
  1. Live-based casinos
  2. Software-based casinos
  3. Web-based casinos

Live-based casinos:

  • In these online casinos, players have the ability to interact with dealers and other players at the tables in an online casino. This builds the feeling of a Live casino.
  • These Live-based casinos not only provide interesting games but also a real-world gaming atmosphere.

Software-based casinos:

  • Clients should have the software to allow players to download games from online casinos.
  • Such casino software is provided by casino websites free of cost.
  • The software does not need any browser to maintain its connection.
  • Once the software is installed, it needs to be connected to the particular online casino to provide downloaded gaming services.
  • Software installation and downloading need a lot of time but after the installation is complete, games are enjoyed at a fast rate than Web-based casinos.

Web-based casinos:

  • Websites that allow players to enjoy games are Web-based casinos.
  • Downloading any kind of software is not necessary to enjoy the pleasures of games.
  • Just a browser is needed to play games and win money.

Tools used in developing casino games:

  • Experienced designers and engineers use photoshop images and turn them into entertaining games.
  • Programmers are not only experts in C++, C, and other programming languages but also experts in Photoshop, Maya, and other software used to develop games.
  • Casino game development is a complete process. It starts with a concept and ends with a full flag game.
  • During this process, designers use technology for artwork in games and program the software.
  • After this, they enhance graphics, remove bugs, add audio, and do quality control.
  • The nature of all the tools used in the development and designing of games is technical.
  • Hardware like PC and smartphones are used to run casinos.
  • Online casinos adopt crypto payments when bitcoin became a thing.

Providers of online casino games

High-quality games are provided by the best game providers that exceed our expectations. Some of the providers of online casino games are listed below:

  • Microgaming
  • Pragmatic Play
  • playing
  • Evolution
  • QuickSpin ...etc

First casino software was created in 1994 and the first mobile casino software in 2004 by Microgaming.

Data sources of online casinos:

  • Data sources secure a paramount position in online casinos.
  • Betway 88 casino which is the biggest online casino platform spends much of the money on data hosting to provide their players with an uninterrupted gaming environment.
  • As players spend a lot, more than their targeted budget, so, online casinos make a substantial investment in hardware, software infrastructure, and servers.
  • Personal and financial details of the users are retained by data hosting, after retaining, this information is made more secure with the help of present technological advancements.

Technology Behind the security and Fair Play:

  • As these online casino websites are not trustworthy to leave sensitive information so players' concerns about security can not be ignored.
  • To protect the personal information and funds, several ways used by online casinos are listed below:

1. Encryption software:

  • This technology ensures that financial transactions and personal pieces of information are secured and not visible to other people

2. ID verification:

  • A passport or driver’s license is used to verify identity. It makes your information safe and secure.

3. End-to-end encryption:

  • Unbreakable codes are used to scramble data that can not be encoded easily by anyone. It requires the intended recipient account to decode the secured codes.

4. Two-step verification:

  • In two-step verification, a unique code is sent to your mobile number to check that you are the original guy.

5. TLS:

  • TLS technology is mostly used in banks to secure your money. Now it is widely used at online casino platforms to secure transactions.

6. SSL-encryption:

  • SSL encryption is a form of Artificial that collects all of the data from players and makes it secure by turn it into vines of Unbreakable codes.

7. RNG:

  • To generate random numbers another form of Artificial intelligence is used which is RNG. RNG technology is used to ensure the fair play of the game. With this technology, everyone has an equal chance of winning the game.

Technology Behind optimization of online casino:

  • To provide fast responses to players, optimization is very necessary.
  • Without optimization of online casinos, all of its features are unless.
  • With live casinos, optimization is extremely handy.
  • There are apps for some of the online casinos.
  • The points shown in the figure need to be optimized for better results.

The technology behind online payment methods:

  • Commonly used payment methods at online casinos are
? PayPal ? Skrill ?Verve ? Bank transfer ? Neteller.....etc
  • Your money is made secure at the casino by using SSL(secure socket layer) technology, but when you want to withdraw your money different methods like PayPal, Skrill and Neteller are used.
  • These accounts are connected to your account in the bank. When you transfer money, money appeared in your bank account after 2-3 days.

The technology behind online casino software and gaming:

  • Online casino software runs the whole online architecture of the casino.
  • Random Number Generator(RNG) is the core component of online casino software.
  • It ensures the unpredictability and randomness of the casino game, both player and casino are not aware of the next sequence.
  • So, online casino technology is based on Fair play. It is not in the favor of anyone, casino or player.
  • EXAMPLE: it’s an example showing how RNG works: the RNG will determine the outcome in the online free spin game.

Mobile-friendly casinos:

  • Online casinos are easily accessible and at the comfort of their homes.
  • Gambling is become more convenient because of the mobility of the current technology.
  • Most of the casinos, now launch their mobile apps, at these apps, there is no difference in playing games as browsing on a computer or your phone.
  • Mobile casinos cover a huge market because a lot of people have no time to sit on the PC and play games. Such peoples spend most of their time on their phones playing online casino games.

Why do people favor online casinos?

  • Now let us discuss on a short note, why do people favor online casino games.
  • People prefer online casinos rather than land-based casinos for many of the reasons:
  1. Online casinos are open forever for any time like 24/7/365 while land-based casinos opened at their specific times.
  2. Payout percentages of online casinos are better than land-based casinos.
  3. Have hundreds of games in the same casino platform while land-based casinos have few games in a casino.
  4. Online casinos also have welcome bonuses, loyalty programs, and different tournaments while land-based casinos do not offer these things.

Advantages of online casinos

  • Players' presence in the game can be detected easily by these online casinos.
  • Players can chat with each other while playing.
  • Online casino games are available in hundreds in number which is a great array and these are expected to grow.
  • Opportunity od setting up a daily routine is provided to players.
  • Best optimization is dome in this industry.

Disadvantages of online casinos:

  • The risk of being addictive is everywhere in this industry.
  • Players spend more than their targeted budget.
  • Risk of loss of profile and money in case of an account being hacked by senior hacker

Requirements for playing games at an online casino:

Before start playing online games at virtual casinos, you have to check the requirements that your PC should have. These requirements will enable you to download software and install it on your PC without any difficulty. So, you have to keep an eye on the following aspects:

  • Window 7 SP1 or higher
  • Intel i5-4590 or higher
  • AD 290 or higher/ NVIDIA GTX 970
  • Random-access memory of at least 8 GB.
  • HDMI 1.3 video out compatible
  • 2 USB 3.0 ports

These requirements may vary for different online casino games.

Conclusion:

The online casino industry is almost totally based on technology. With the recent advancement in the Internet and technology, you can look upon more and more casino games and apps customized for smartphones. Online casinos have to maximize their clients and players by the development of online gambling. Declaring their excellent services, online casinos say that, It’s not cheap and It’s complicated. You have chances of winning huge prizes, and you will be entertained and immersed. But always remember, gambling is highly addictive so gamble responsibly.

 This is all for today’s article. I hope you have enjoyed the article and make grip on the understanding points. However, if you still face any skepticism regarding the technology behind online casinos then please feel free to leave your questions in the comment section. I will provide you best answers to your questions to the best of my knowledge and researching skills. Also, provide us with your innovative feedbacks and suggestions it will improve the quality of our work and provide you content according to your demands and expectations. Stay tuned! Thank you for reading this article.

Explore the future of creating objects through 3D designs and inventive engineering

3D modeling has been evolving since the day it came into the limelight. Within years of efforts, the technology has changed tremendously, offering better prospects and possibilities to the users. And, the development within the 3D modeling niche does not seem to cease. There are many interesting upgrades already underway and many to come in the years to follow.

Undoubtedly, the future of technology looks much brighter, with virtual reality and 3D printing furthering the application of 3D design and inventive engineering at a higher pace. It won’t be an exaggeration to deem that the increased accessibility of 3D printing did have a great impact on 3D design. In addition to shortening the time needed to create prototypes, additive manufacturing enabled the use of only resources for developing these prototypes.

Hence, it is certain that 3D printing along with 3D design and inventive engineering will pave the way for a better future and exciting developments. So, let’s explore the way we would be able to create objects through 3D design in the near future.

3D Designing with Higher Resolution

Although 3D modeling is around for more than a few decades, it still has one biggest limitation that happens to restrict its application within various tasks. Well, it’s the low-resolution files. Thankfully, according to technological advancements and current trends, it is likely that the barrier of low resolution will no longer be a problem any time soon.

The 3D resolution is on the verge to improve significantly. And, the day isn’t far when users will be able to interact with the designed 3D models without fearing any such limitations. Developers are working along to enable the visualization of 3D elements to reach perfection. In other words, people would be able to interact with the designs as if with naked eyes. Hence, planning to offer a much more enhanced realistic experience.

Because 3D modeling and related technologies help save money and offer innovative ways for accomplishing goals, businesses are inclining towards involving the technology for improving productivity while saving cost.

For instance, the real estate industry has already started making use of virtual staging along with 3D design. Soon, other niches will reap the benefit that 3D design and inventive engineering have to offer. Wish to know more about 3D design? Look for answers on Pick3DPrinter.

3D Designing and 3D Photorealism

As you must expect, for true photorealism, one must be able to make smart use of textures. And, it is equally crucial to apply those textures to something. Hence, artists do rely on detailed 3D models to avoid the need for faking details. However, currently, 3D designing tools end up increasing the file size of the model with complex features and high resolution. This is another challenge that is likely to improve considerably in the future.

Today, for creating a photorealistic image using pre-rendering of the imagery, you have the highest resolution settings for best results. However, from a medium for rendering to a long rendering time, you must consider many variables. Alternatively, you can think of purchasing fast rendering equipment, however, it would be a costly investment.

Similarly, when using 3D design to create models for animation, it is often to come across highly complicated geometries. These projects can even crash the application in between the modeling task. On the other hand, rendering still images won’t get you the results you wish to achieve. However, in the coming future, you can expect massive success already planned within photorealistic 3D modeling.

3D Modeling and Augmented Reality (AR)

AR isn’t just a long-awaited dream anymore. Although in its nascent stage, the technology has already amazed everyone with its possible future. AR is not restricted to Snapchat filters, funny avatars, or Google Glass. It’s just the preview of what entails ahead.

For instance, HoloLens that came back in 2016 for developers is an expensive kit capable of defining what augmented reality would be in the future. It allows us to interact with 3D models in a completely amazing way.

Industries 3D Modeling Will Impact in the Future

With 3D modeling, one can create a virtual three-dimensional model for any imaginary or existing real-world object, this provides a great opportunity to creators in terms of design flexibility and ease of use, individuals without any prior designing skill tend to lean towards sites that provide free 3D STL files to create their models. Here’s a list of some of the best sites to look for  Free 3D Printer STL Files.

3D modeling has found widespread application in today's business world, with applications ranging from visualizing products and processes to securing funding for new research projects. Here are a few niches that will be able to reap most of the benefits 3D design and inventive engineering has to offer in the future.

Mechanical Engineering:

In the discipline of mechanical engineering, CAD modeling is utilized to assist improved visualization of designs, compliance with worldwide standards and the improvement of design quality.

3D models are created using precise measurements and may be quickly adjusted if changes are required. This improves the accuracy of 3D engineering models, allowing for the production of faultless gear that can be used by enterprises in a variety of industries as well as scientific institutes.

Biology and Medicine: 

3D Bioprinting is a type of additive manufacturing that prints live structures layer by layer. Mimicking the behavior of natural living systems. This technology has provided immense possibilities to the niche which wouldn’t have been possible otherwise. 3D scanning in the medical field has given direction to a lot of research and many have been successfully accomplished as well.

By solving problems related to organ transplants, dental implants, and many others, 3D scanning has gained a lot of trust in the medical industry.

Advertising:

Models created using 3D design will be able to offer customers and clients a glimpse of what the real product would be. Marketers can start using a combination of 3d modeling and animation to generate stunning product images that businesses can use to create prototypes, offering their customers the ability to understand the upcoming design before launch.

Entertainment:

In movies, 3D modeling is employed to create special effects, especially when it comes to creating costumes, helmets, or supernatural decor for sets.

3D modeling creates realistic and immersive effects that can take the audience's experience to new heights. As the entertainment sector becomes more updated, 3D modeling will take on a more advanced makeover and will be used to create amazing effects.

Construction and Architecture

3D models allow architects and the whole construction team to better understand the project’s scope and dimensions, which helps them take the right steps and eliminate errors in the early stages of the project, resulting in fewer surprises as the project progresses.

The Conclusion

Without any doubt, 3D design has a brighter future ahead. With so many developments around the corner, nothing seems too far from reality. Sooner, everyone would realize the amazing things the technology is set to impart.

How Has Technology Changed the Manufacturing Industry?

The ongoing developments of technology have changed multiple industries, and possibly none more so than manufacturing. Over the years, each new machine and AI discovery has been implemented into factories all around the globe, allowing processes to move faster, more efficiently, and at a lower cost. Want to learn more? Here is how technology has changed the manufacturing industry.

A Faster Service

With technology constantly improving machines, the amount of time the manufacturing processes take has greatly lowered. There are plenty of brilliant machines designed for increased productivity on the market, including ones like a speedy engraving machine, which ensures both quality and efficiency.

Automation is another way technology has contributed to a speedier manufacturing service. When systems are automated, production capacity is increased, allowing manufacturers to produce more in less time. Combine that with the ease of communications brought on by software tools, and you have a manufacturing company that wastes no time at all.

Fewer Errors

Technology has allowed near-perfect precision in machinery alongside less reliance on manual labor, and as a result, errors are now fewer and far between. On top of that, AI can predict upcoming malfunctions through its data, meaning sensors can alert staff before it even happens. With all the errors that are caught early through tech, both time and material are saved.

Greener Practices

The manufacturing industry contributes to much of the earth’s pollution. Luckily, technological developments have helped manufacturing companies switch to greener practices. For starters, automation and digital communications mean factories don’t have to use as much paper, contributing to less waste overall. As well as that, with AI detecting possible errors, manufacturers don’t have to waste as many materials and energy on faulty results.

Better Communications

Technology has improved communication for all industries, including manufacturing. Through communication software, staff can now communicate from across the shop floor without interruption. It’s not just communications between staff that have improved, either. With the Internet of Things, machines are better at communicating with each other, meaning if there is a machine malfunction, staff will know straight away.

Easier Maintenance

Maintenance is essential in the manufacturing industry. Without it, more errors are made, and more money gets spent on replacements. In the past, maintenance took a lot of the manufacturing team’s time, but now, with automation alerting staff when there is a malfunction, maintenance is much more streamlined.

Understanding Target Market

Through analyzing AI data, manufacturing companies now have a better idea of who their customer is and exactly what they are looking for. With such data, they can then make their marketing strategies more targeted for better results overall.

More Profitability

All in all, the developments in technology, including automation, AI, and machinery, have ensured that the manufacturing industry is much more profitable. It has led to mass production that can remain high in quality but still produce far more than before.

Who knows where technology will take the manufacturing industry next? With constant new developments, manufacturing is only going to become more streamlined and profitable over the years.

Raspberry Pi as Internet of Things(IoT)

The Internet of Things (IoT) philosophy may be viewed as a highly dynamic and radically dispersed networked system comprised of a huge number of identifiable smart devices. These objects may communicate and interact with one another, as well as with end-users and other network entities. As the Internet of Things era begins, the usage of small, inexpensive, and flexible computer hardware that allows end-user programming becomes more prevalent. The Raspberry Pi, a fully configurable and programmable tiny computer board, is one of them discussed in this article. Although there are certain limitations, the Raspberry Pi remains a low-cost computer that has been used effectively in a wide range of IoT vision research applications despite its few shortcomings.

Introduction:

Introductory Notes The Internet of Things - IoT – may be viewed as a highly dynamic and widely dispersed networked system. For example, it is a network of linked smart objects that may communicate and interact with one another, as well as with end-users or other network entities, such as users or other entities in the network. Safety, security, comfort, convenience, and energy savings are maximised when smart devices can perceive physical phenomena and transform them into data streams, as well as when smart devices can trigger actions. These systems should:

  • allow new applications to be built on existing systems,
  • allow new systems to be deployed in parallel with existing systems,
  • allow an adequate level of interoperability so that innovative and competitive cross-domain systems and applications can be developed.
  • The IoT systems will be designed, managed, and used by multiple stakeholders, each with its own business model.
  • The above figure shows Raspberry Pi Model A (left) and Model B (right) board:
  • The Raspberry Pi’s core components are shown in the above figure.

While internet access can be achieved through an Ethernet/LAN cable or a USB dongle (WiFi connectivity), a USB connector is required [5, 6]. Figure 1 shows an example of a formalised formalised formalised formal Model A (left) and Model B (right) Raspberry Pi boards Figure 2: The Raspberry Pi's essential components The Raspberry Pi, like any other computer, is powered by an operating system. Raspbian is a fantastic Linux alternative for Raspberry Pi since it is free and open-source, keeping the platform's price cheap and making it more hackable. There are a few non-Linux OS alternatives available as well [5]. The Raspberry Pi offers a wide range of applications, which is one of its best features. The remainder of the article will discuss what allows it, as well as the performance and limits of the Raspberry Pi. The performance of the Raspberry Pi will be compared against the following IoT prototype platforms (Fig. 3): Arduino is an open-source physical computing platform that is built on a basic microcontroller board and includes a programming environment for creating software for the board (Fig. 3 a). It can accept information from a number of sensors and operate lights, motors, and other actuators to influence its environment. The Arduino programming language and the Arduino Integrated Development Environment may be used to programme the microcontroller on the hardware board (IDE). Arduino has two operating modes: stand-alone and linked to a computer via USB cable [3]. BeagleBone Black Is a single-board computer based on low-power Texas Instruments processors and the ARM architecture.

TABLE I

  • COMPARISON OF PLATFORMS’ SIZE, WEIGHT AND COST

B. Strength and Memory The suggested platforms' major objective is low power consumption in order to fulfil the multi-year application requirements. Only by combining low-power hardware components and low-duty-cycle operating approaches can ultra-low-power operation be accomplished.

As previously indicated, the Raspberry Pi requires up to 700mA to operate. The Raspberry Pi device may be powered by a variety of power sources (provided they can deliver adequate current 700mA), such as a computer USB port or powered USB hub (depending on power output), special wall warts with USB ports, mobile phone backup battery (depending on power output), cell phone solar charger, alkaline batteries (six rechargeable AA batteries and a voltage regulator). The Raspberry Pi's main power supply constraint is that no external device should use more than 100mA from any of its USB ports.

In terms of storage, the gadget should have enough memory to store the gathered data. In addition to storage capacity, programme memory should be sufficient to execute simple computations and send just the necessary data and routing information if the device is connected to a network. It is crucial to understand that the Raspberry Pi does not have a hard drive and that everything is saved on a Secure Digital (SD) Card. The minimum needed SD card capacity is 2 GB, however larger SD cards with capacities of 32 GB, 64 GB, or more are available but frequently prohibitively costly. This storage may be increased by employing devices that supply an extra hard drive through USB ports. These are referred to as USB Mass Storage (UMS) devices and can be traditional hard drives, solid-state drives (SSDs), or even tiny pocket-sized flash drives. Table II provides a comparative study of platform CPU, memory, and power.

TABLE II

  • COMPARISON OF PLATFORMS’ CPU, MEMORY AND POWER

C. Adaptability To be useful in a wide range of applications, the architecture must be adaptable and versatile. Furthermore, for economic considerations, it must make it simple to build precisely the correct mix of software and hardware components. As a result, these devices need an extraordinary level of hardware and software flexibility while being efficient [10]. The adaptability and universality of any gadget, on the other hand, are its strengths. One of the best things about the Raspberry Pi is its versatility; there is no one way to utilise it. It can, for example, be used for: broad purpose computing, capable of interfacing with other electronic boards and communicating with other computing devices using a range of various protocols such as Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) and Inter-Integrated Circuit (I2C): o I2C – low-speed interface – Inter-Integrated Circuit (I2C) is a serial bus interface that can communicate with numerous devices using only two wires. It operates at relatively modest speeds. o Serial Peripheral Interface Bus (SPI) – Serial Peripheral Interaction Bus (SPI) is a synchronous full-duplex (two-way) serial connection. The Raspberry Pi Model B Rev 2 features an enhanced variety of connections in addition to the usual GPIO port [13]. P5 header has 8 pins (+3.3 V, +5 V, two ground pins, and four GPIO pins that can offer the second I2C protocol) and P6 header has two pins — their short-circuiting enables soft reset of BCM2835. Table III examines the expansion connections used by the Raspberry Pi and other platforms to connect to a broad range of external devices.

TABLE III

  • COMPARISON OF PLATFORMS’ EXPANSION CONNECTORS

The Ethernet connector on the Raspberry Pi serves as the primary interface for communicating with other devices. It is auto-sensing, so it may be linked to a router or directly to another computer (without the use of a crossover connection) [5, 6]. Model B features a conventional RJ45 Ethernet connector, but model A lacks one but may be linked to a wired network using a USB Ethernet adapter. The USB Ethernet adapter offers two speeds: 10 Mb/s and 100 Mb/s (Table IV). When you attach a cable to the Raspberry Pi, it will immediately get the information it needs to connect to the Internet when it loads its operating system through the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP). This gives the Raspberry Pi an Internet Protocol (IP) address and informs it which gateway to use to connect to the Internet (typically the IP address of router or modem). The Raspberry Pi's drawback is the absence of an inbuilt WiFi module, however, this functionality may be added via USB dongles. As a result, the Raspberry Pi may be used to create ad-hoc networks or to connect to a variety of wireless networks, including those that utilise the newest 802.11n high-speed standard [11]. Raspberry Pi can serve static webpages, but it can also produce dynamic content by utilising databases and web apps. It can also offer access to its GPIO ports via web technologies. In addition, Raspberry Pi may be used as a Sensor Web node by connecting it to a network and making it accessible to other computers.

Emerging user programming trends enable non-professional end-users to customise products to meet their unique demands. There are hundreds of products available now that allow end-user programming. Using affordable hardware and open-source software, it is feasible to programmatically manage numerous devices in such a manner that the own solution satisfies user demands. Furthermore, giving end-users with skills and the ability to mould goods to their requirements benefits both users and product creators. One of the prototype systems that allows end-user programming will be explored in this work. The Raspberry Pi computer board will be highlighted, including a comparison of its performance and limitations with current popular prototyping platforms [2]. The primary objective of this research is to identify and explain the benefits and drawbacks of the Raspberry Pi, as well as the capabilities of its use in the construction of the future generation of IoT. The remainder of this paper is arranged as follows. Section 2 contains an overview of the Raspberry Pi, its main components, and a detailed comparison with other existing IoT systems. The final section includes closing thoughts that summarise Raspberry Pi's merits and drawbacks as IoT hardware.

II. COMPARISON OF THE RASPBERRY PI WITH OTHER IoT

HARDWARE PLATFORMS

Smart items are key to the Internet of Things vision. These things, which are equipped with information and communication technology, can preserve their context, are networked together, can access Internet services, and communicate with one another and with humans [3]. Raspberry Pi is a tiny, powerful, inexpensive, hackable, and educational computer board that was released in 2012. (Fig. 1). It functions similarly to a normal PC, needing a keyboard for command entry, a display unit, and a power source. This credit card-sized computer with numerous capabilities and a price range of $25-35$ is an ideal platform for interacting with a variety of devices. The overwhelming bulk of the system's components, including its central and graphics processing units, audio and communications gear, and a 256 MB (Model A) – 512 MB (Model B) memory chip, are integrated into a single component. The Raspberry Pi board seen in Figures 1 and 2 comprises both necessary (CPU, the graphics chip, programme memory - RAM) and optional components (various interfaces and connectors for peripherals). The SD Flash memory acts as a hard drive for the Raspberry Pi CPU. The tiny Cortex-A8 core powers the device (Fig. 3 b). It is a tiny computer the size of a credit card that can run an operating system such as Linux/Android 4.0. The primary distinction between it and Arduino is that it can run a tiny operating system, thereby transforming it into a minicomputer capable of running applications on various operating systems. BeagleBone is intended to operate at a much higher level and has far greater computing capability than Arduino.

Phidgets are a collection of “plug and play” building pieces for bridging the physical and virtual worlds using low-cost USB sensing and control from a PC. Phidgets contain USB-based hardware boards for input (temperature, movement, light intensity, RFID tags, switches, and so on) and output actuators (servo motors, LED indicators, LCD text displays, and so on) (Fig. 3 d). Because of its design and API, programmers can discover, observe, and control all Phidgets linked to a single computer. All of the needed software components are packaged as an ActiveX COM Component. Each Phidget component necessitates the usage of a corresponding visual component, which provides a visual on-screen interface for interactive end-user control. The system includes a broad API library and may be used with a wide range of applications, including other toolkits in some situations. Using Phidgets, programmers may quickly create physical interfaces without requiring an extensive understanding of electrical design difficulties.

Udoo is a small PC with an integrated Arduino-compatible board that can run both Android and Linux. It is an extremely capable prototype board for software development and design. Udoo incorporates a microcomputer with the most popular communication interfaces (Ethernet, WiFi, USB, HDMI, SATA, digital and analogue input/output) as well as a microcontroller with a standard pinout for rapid prototyping applications. As a result, Udoo is open hardware, low-cost platform outfitted with an ARM i.MX6 Freescale CPU and an Arduino Due compatible portion based on the ATMEL SAM3X ARM processor. The creators of Udoo say that the board will have the processing power of four Raspberry Pis. Udoo's retail lineup consists of three versions, all of which share the majority of features and differ mainly in connection and the i.MX6 CPU utilised [9]: Udoo Quad, Udoo Dual, and Udoo Dual Basic.

 Introduction to C++

Hello friends, I hope you all are doing great. In today's tutorial, I am going to give you a detailed introduction to the C++ Programming language. In cross-platform programming languages, C++ is the most popular that can be used to work on low and high-level applications. Bjarne Stroustrup was the founder of C++. He modified C language to develop C++ language. Control over system resources and memory can be attained by using C++. In 2011, 2014, and 2017 it was modified to C++11, C++14, and C++17. C++ is a middle-level language. It is advantageous to both programming languages low-level (drivers, kernels) and higher-level applications (games, GUI, desktop apps etc.).

Uses of C++

C++ is one of the world's most famous programming languages. It is used in today's OS, embedded systems and GUIs. It provides a clear structure to programs, permits codes to be reused and lowering development costs as its an object-oriented language. Since it is portable and can be used to create applications that can be used on multiple platforms. It is very easy to learn. As it is close to C# and Java, so switching to C++ or vice versa is very simple.

It is used in

  • Operating systems e.g. Linux-based OS 
  • Browsers like UC browser, chrome, opera and firefox.
  • Games and graphics e.g. Photoshop
  • Clouds like Dropbox
  • Database engines like reedit

Features of C++

Rich library support:

  • It is a simple language as programs can be split into logical units and parts. It has rich library support and many data types.

Platform Dependent and Machine Independent:

  •  It is machine-independent but platform-dependent. It does not run on windows but is executable on Linux.

Middle-level language:

  • It is a middle-level language as we can do both low-level programmings(drivers, kernels, networking etc.) and build large-scale user applications (Media Players, Photoshop, Game Engines etc.) as a high-level language.

3rd party libraries:

  • C++ has rich library support as well as 3rd party libraries (e.g. Boost libraries) for easy, smart and rapid development.

Fast execution:

  • For C++ speed of execution is very fast because it is compiled and highly procedural language.
  • Garbage-collection, dynamic typing etc. slow the execution of the program overall. Since there is no additional processing in C++ so it is fast than others.

Provides direct Memory-Access:

  • It provides pointer support to manipulate storage addresses. This helps in low-level programming ( indirect control over memory addresses).

Object-Oriented language:

  • It is better than C with respect to object orientation that helps it to maintain extensible programs so large-scale applications can be built easily.
  • Its friends and virtual features violate some important rules rendering it a completely object-oriented language.

Amazing facts of C++:

Some interesting facts about C++ are listed below

  • C++ name tells us that C language modified with ++ incremental operator is C++ language
  • The most famous language C ++ is used in commercial software.
  • Four primary features of OOP are supported by C++
    1. Inheritance
    2. Encapsulation
    3. Abstraction, and
    4. Polymorphism
  • From Simula67 Programming language C++ gained the features of OOP.
  • For a C++ program to execute(at least main() function) , a function is the least requirement.

Basic concepts of C++ :

Basic concepts like syntax, variables, loop type etc will be discussed here.

Syntax of C++:

Here is the C++ basic program

#include <iostream.h> using namespace std; int main() { cout << "Hi this is C++"; }
  • iostream is a header file and provides us with input & output streams.
  • namesspace std tells the compiler to use standard namespace. It can be used in 2 ways.
  • the return type of main () is int.
  • count << is used to print anything on the screen.

Comments in C++:

  • // is used to add single comment. For multiple comments /*multiple comments*/ is used

Data types in C++:

There are built-in as well as user-defined data types in C++.

  • In C++, classes are user-defined data types.
  • Built-in data types are int, float, double etc.
  • Derived data types are Array, function, pointer and reference.

C++ Program to get a sum of 3 numbers

//Program to receive three integer numbers and display their sum #include <iostream> using namespace std; int main() {       int num1, num2, num3, Sum;       //variables num1, num2, num3 and sum are declared as integers cout << "\n Enter Number 1: "; cin >> num1; cout << "\n Enter Number 2: "; cin >> num2; cout)<< “\n Enter Number 3: “; cin>>num3; Sum = num1 + num2 + num3; cout << "\n The sum of " << num1 << num2 “ and " << num3 << " is " << Sum; }

Modifiers in C++

In C++, special words(called modifiers) are used to modify built-in data types. There are four main data type modifiers in C++, they are:

  • Long
  • Short
  • Signed    and
  • unsigned

These modifiers are with built-in data types to make them more precise and for expanding their range.

  • long and short modify the maximum and minimum values that a data type can hold.
  • Signed types include both +ive and _ive numbers as is the default type.
  • Unsigned, numbers do not have any sign, so they are always positive.

Variables in C++ :

  • Variable is used in C++ to store any value, which can be changed in the program.
  • Variable is declared in many ways each with different memory location and functioning.
  • It is the name of the memory location allocated by the compiler to the variable.

Variables are divided into two main types,

  • Global Variables
  • Local variables

Global variables

Global variables are those which declared only a single time and used again and again. They are declared outside the main() function. If only declared then assigned different values at different times in program lifetime. But when they are declared and initialized at the same time then they can be assigned any value at any point in the program.

For example: Only declared, not initialized

include <iostream> using namespace std; int x;                // Global variable declared int main() { y=10;                 // Initialized once cout <<"first value of y = "<< y; y=20;                 // Initialized again cout <<"Initialized again with value = "<< y; }

Local Variables

  • Local variables exist only between the curly braces, in which they are declared.
  • Outside the curly braces, they are unavailable and lead to a compile-time error.
Example :
include <iostream> using namespace std; int main() { int j=10; if(j<20)        // if condition scope starts { int m=100;   // Local variable declared and initialized }              // if condition scope ends cout << m;      // Compile time error, m not available here }

C++ Program to find the curved surface area of a cylinder (CSA) (CSA = 2 pi r * h)

#include <iostream> using namespace std; int main() { float pi = 3.14, Radius, Height, CSA; cout << "\n Curved Surface Area of a cylinder"; cout << "\n Enter radius (in cm): "; cin >> Radius; cout << "\n Enter height (in cm): "; cin >> Height; CSA = (2*pi*Radius)*Height;       system("cls"); cout << "\n radius: " << Radius <<"cm"; cout << "\n height: " << Height << "cm"; cout << "\n Curved Surface Area of a Cylinder is " << CSA <<" sq. cm."; }

Output:

  • Curved Surface Area of a cylinder
  • Enter radius (in cm): 7
  • Enter height (in cm): 20
  • radius: 7cm
  • height: 20cm
  • The curved Surface Area of a Cylinder is 879.2 sq. cm.

Operators in C++ :

  • Operators take one or more arguments and generate a new value.
  • For example : addition (+), subtraction (-), multiplication (*) etc, are all operators.
  • These are used to perform different operations on variables and constants.

Errors in C++:

There are three types of errors that occur in C++ programming

Syntax Error:

  • The syntax is a set of grammatical rules to make a program. Every programming language has unique grammatical rules.
  • when grammatical rules of C++ are violated Syntax Errors occur.
  • For example: if you type as follows, C++ will throw an error.

 cout << “Hi welcome to C++”

  • As per the grammatical rules of C++, there should be a semicolon at the end of the statement. But, this statement does not end with a semicolon so Syntax Error occurs.

Logical Error:

It may be happened by the wrong use of variable or operator or order of execution etc. This means that the program is grammatically correct, but it contains some logical errors. So, “Logic Error” is also called Semantic error.

Run time error:

  • During the execution of the program when some illegal action takes place, run time error occurs
  • For example, if a program tries to open a file that does not exist then it will result in a run-time error.

Control Statements in C++:

  • The sequence of flow of instructions is changed by the use of control Statements.

Selection statement

  • Statements can run sequentially, selectively or iteratively in a program. Sequence, selection and iteration processes are handled by every programming language.
  • If the statements are executed sequentially then the flow is called a sequential flow. In some situations, if the statements alter the flow of execution then this flow is called a control flow.

Sequence statement

  • The sequential statement is executed one after the another only once from top to bottom.
  • These statements do not alter the flow of execution and are called sequential flow statements. These statements always end with a semicolon (;).

Selection statement

  • When a condition is provided then selection statements are used.
  • In case when the condition is true then a true block (a set of statements) is executed otherwise a false block is commanded to execute.
  • This is also called a decision statement because it helps in making decisions for the set of statements to be executed.
  • Selection statements are if, if-else and nested if statements.

if statement

  • The general syntax of the if statement is:
if (expression) true-block; statement-x;
  • and flow chart for if statement is

 if-else statement

  • The syntax of the if-else statement is given below:
if ( expression) {       True-block; } else {       False-block; }
  • And the flow chart for if-else statement is:

C++ program to find either number is Even or Odd

#include <iostream> using namespace std; int main() { int Num, rem; cout<< "\n enter a number: "; cin>>Num; rem = Num % 2; if (rem==0) cout<< "\n The given number" <<Num<< " is Even"; else cout<< "\n The given number "<<Num<< " is Odd"; return 0; }

Output

  • Enter number: 12
  • The given number 12 is Even

Nested if

It has three forms
  • If nested inside if part
  • If nested inside else part
  • If nested inside both if part and else part

Iteration statement

  • The iteration statement is a set of statements that are executed again and again depends upon conditions.
  • If a condition evaluates to true, the set of statements (only true) is executed again and again.
  • As soon as the condition seems to be false, the repetition stops. This is also known as looping statement 
  • The set of statements that are executed repeatedly is called the body of the loop.
  • The condition on which exits from the loop is called exit-condition or test-condition.
  • There are 3 kinds of loops in C++
    1. For loop
    2. While loop
    3. Do while loop

for loop

  • The for loop is the easiest loop which allows code to be executed again and again.
  • The general syntax is:
for (initialization(s); test expression; update expression(s)) {      statement 1;         statement 2;       …………. }

C++ program to sum from 1 to 5 using for loop

#include <iostream> using namespace std; int main () { int i,Sum=0; for(i=1; i<=5;i++) { sum=sum+i; } cout<<"The sum of 1 to 5 is "<<Sum; return 0; }

Output

  • The sum of 1 to 5 is 15

While loop

  • It allows the loop statements to be executed as long as the condition is true.
  • The while loop syntax is:
while ( test expression ) {       body of the loop; }
  • Flow chart for while loop is given below

 C++ program to sum from 1 to 6 using while loop

#include <iostream> using namespace std; int main () { int i=1,SUM=0; while(i<=6) { SUM=SUM+i; i++; } cout<<"The sum of 1 to 6 is "<<SUM; return 0; }

Output

  • The sum of 1 to 6 is 21

do-while loop

  • The do-while loop is used as an exit-controlled loop. In a do-while loop, after executing the body of the loop, the condition is evaluated.
  • The do-while loop syntax is:
do {       body of the loop; } while(condition);
  • The flow chart of the do-while loop is shown below

 Examples of C++ programs:

1. C++ Program to find the Total marks of three subjects

#include <iostream> using namespace std; int main() { Int n1, n2 , n3, Sum; cout << "\n Enter Mark 1: "; cin >> n1; cout << "\n Enter Mark 2: "; cin >> n2; cout << "\n Enter Mark 3: "; cin >> n3; Sum = n1 + n2 + n3; cout << "\n The sum = " << Sum; }

2. C++ program to find the Area of a Circle

#include <iostream> using namespace std; int main() { int Radius; float Area; cout << "\n Enter Radius: "; cin >> Radius; Area = 3.14 * Radius * Radius; cout << "\n The area of circle = " << Area; }
So, that was all for today. In the next tutorial, we are going to discuss the Data Types in C++ in detail. If you have any questions regarding this tutorial, ask in the comments. Thanks for reading !!!

How To Get More Subscribers On YouTube: 10 Practical Ways

For the legions of YouTube content creators all competing for attention, the art of attracting more subscribers often feels complicated and mysterious. Successful accounts usually make great videos, but quality alone is rarely enough to reach influencer status.

In this article, we take a look at ten proven and practical ways to get more subscribers on YouTube. Want to buy cheap subscribers and become famous? Read on to find out how to make it happen.

Ask & Receive

One thing that most successful videos do? They ask their viewers to subscribe. You may notice that a lot of your content receives more likes, comments, and views than it does new subscribers. Mysterious? Not necessarily.

Keep in mind that about 5 billion YouTube views take place every day—enough to cover more than half the planet.

The people behind these views are often in channel surfer mode, moving from one video to the next without giving the process much thought. You can get their attention simply by asking them to subscribe at the end of your videos. If they liked your content, this might work!

Take the Marvel Approach

End credit scenes have become a staple of the Marvel Universe, training the audience to sit through endless credits to get a few precious seconds of “secret” content. Your videos won’t have the benefit of a billion-dollar budget and a cast of Hollywood heartthrobs, but they can build anticipation in much the same way.

As you end your video, take a moment to tease what is coming next. This could mean sharing compelling views seconds or even declaring your intention to make new content. Just remember that presentation matters. Your tease needs to be clear enough to hook your audience.

Keep A Community-Driven Mind Set

Another great, though gradual, way to foster a list of subscribers is to interact with your audience. Respond to comments. Be funny, be civil, be present. Not only will a channel with communal aspects draw new subscribers in, but it will also keep your original roster of subscribers thriving.

About 500 hours of content is uploaded to YouTube every minute. You can make sure yours stands out by offering more than just “another video.” People may come for the cat video, but they will stay for the fellowship.

Be Bingeable

For many people, getting on to YouTube isn’t about watching just one video, but many. If your channel is a one-hit-wonder, featuring the occasional good upload but nothing that ties all of the videos together, you may struggle.

Think not just about individual uploads but about playlists, and you might do much better. For example, if you run a cooking channel, you might include a video about beating egg whites into stiff peaks. You might then follow that video on a playlist with another video that contains stiff egg whites in the recipe. Next might be a good dish or dessert.

Good playlists follow a logical pattern that keeps the audience watching.

Arrange Your Content Intelligently

Oddly, the majority of web viewers spend most of their time looking at the left-hand side of the screen. While there is no obvious explanation for why this is, it does serve as a helpful way for you to maximize the effectiveness of your channel layout.

As you arrange your videos on your YouTube homepage, think about ordering your content in such a way that the most compelling uploads are the easiest for potential viewers to spot. Unable to distinguish in such a way? No problem. Your existing audience already has. Make your most popular videos as viewer-facing as possible, and you’ll draw more people in.

Time Your Uploads

Did you know that most people are on the internet in the mornings and afternoons? The pattern likely mimics (at least to an extent) the typical school and work hours, showing that people gravitate towards YouTube during their time off.

Whatever the reason, timing your uploads to make them sync up with when people are most likely to be at their screens will help your content reach a broader audience. To this end, YouTube analytics maybe your best friend. Averages are great, but analytic software can offer a much more precise idea of when people tend to view your content.

Be Regular

The Simpsons wouldn’t be going on its thirtieth season if no one ever knew what time it would be on. Can you imagine a television show airing on Tuesday night one week, Friday morning the next, followed by Saturday around noon? No one would ever know when to park themselves on the couch, and the show would fail.

The same can be said of YouTube. While streaming is obviously a little different than watching network television, the fact remains that if people don’t know when your content will be uploaded, they will probably stop paying attention eventually. Being consistent with your uploads makes it much easier for subscribers and potential subscribers alike to find your stuff.

Networking

If you’re like most content creators, you probably have not just a YouTube account but also memberships with all of the major social media platforms. It’s essential to use those other accounts to draw traffic to your videos.

Fire off a tweet every time a new video goes live. Interact with your fans, post regularly, and make yourself accessible. The more visible you are online, the more views, and eventually, subscribers, you will get.

Tags

YouTube, like all social media, thrives on tags and descriptions. The words you choose to accompany your uploads will have a considerable influence both on who finds your content and on what they think of it when it comes to their attention. Be mindful, be clever, be accurate in how you represent your uploads—tags matter.

Buy Subscribers

Last but not least, buy some subscribers. While paying for your audience is somewhat taboo in the internet world, it’s actually a highly effective marketing technique that many content creators take advantage of.

Buying from responsible vendors is a safe and dependable way to maximize the value of your channel in the eyes of the YouTube algorithm.

Remember that YouTube prioritizes showcasing content that already has the appearance of being famous. By purchasing subscribers, you make sure your content gets seen by real potential subscribers.

You also just make your content more appealing to your potential audience.

If there are two similar channels out there, most people are going to choose the one that has the most subscribers. By purchasing some, you ensure that this will be you.

Making a Career Out of a Hobby in Engineering

Engineering is one of the areas in your life that you really enjoy. Taking on new projects, getting them working, and then getting them operating as they should is what you are passionate about. For as long as you can remember, you have been passionate and interested in engineering, but have you ever thought seriously about turning it into a career? Engineering careers, whether in the consumer sector or in the B2B sector, are highly sought-after roles. Getting qualified and developing your skills along the way is important to make the transition from hobby to career, but what else should you be thinking about?

Turning Your Passion into a Career

When you turn your passion, or your hobby, into a career, it can feel fantastic, but it can also feel like a time that is filled with self-doubt and worry. Worrying that you have the right skills and knowledge base to carry out projects and ensuring that you see projects through are probably two of your main concerns right now. When engineering is a hobby, you have no real-time limits or pressures to perform. You have your free time to fiddle and change bits of a new machine or piece of equipment you are working on. You also don’t have to worry about having the right skills or knowledge as nobody is judging you or even watching over you, so if you make a mistake, then you don’t need to worry, as who is there?

However, when you turn your passion into a career, you have a new set of worries and concerns. Of course, over time, these will disappear, but, to begin with, they can feel all-consuming. So, just how can you make the transition from hobby to career as easy as possible? Well, to begin with, you need to remember your passion at the heart of everything you do. Yes, your engineer feats will be judged, and, yes, you will have time pressures and deadlines to adhere to. However, if you maintain your passion through every project you undertake, you will make the transition from hobby to career success and relatively easy. Removing unnecessary pressure and stress will be beneficial to you, and it will ensure that you still remain passionate about every project you undertake.

Going About Things the Right Way

Just like when you start a new project or test, there is a right way to go about things and an incorrect way to go. When you start out on the road to a career in engineering, it is crucial that you go the right way. The right way involves gaining more experience, and it also involves studying and getting qualified. Yes, you might have been working on projects and plans since you were little, but as good as being self-taught is, it is not always what future or potential employers want from you. When you commit to studying an engineering degree, you learn new ways to begin and undertake projects, and you also learn about industry standards.

If you do not commit to getting a formal education, then you may struggle to land and even secure a job in engineering, simply because there are industry standards that need following, and if testing, production or manufacturing, veers off from these industry standards, results could be different, and your employees or the ones who have commissioned your project could be left in a difficult position, especially if you have not followed the correct procedures and rules. Going about things the right way or in the correct manner may feel different for you, but if you commit to studying and you commit to learning in a structured environment, then you should have no trouble adapting your styles and ways of working.

Studying and Getting Qualified

When it comes to studying and getting suitably qualified, it is important to weigh up all of your options. You need to begin by looking at reputable and respected universities, and then you need to establish just what you would like to get qualified in and why? Choosing the right educational institute or university is crucial. You want to ensure that you are getting an education that is valued and also respected. A university with an outstanding reputation and one that provides flexible learning opportunities would be the best route for you to take. As where you study is just as important as what you study, it is of paramount importance that you take your time to choose the correct establishment for you and your requirements. Weighing up the pros and cons for a select number of universities will allow you to narrow down your list significantly.

Just as you have taken a methodical approach to choose a university, it is also crucial that you take a methodical approach in establishing what you want to study. So, what area of engineering are you looking to be part of when you finish studying? Do you want to be within the developing stage, or would you prefer to be in the operations department? For example, if you want to be in the operations department or area, then you will need to study a suitable degree, such as an operations management degree because this will provide you with all of the information, and knowledge you need to carry out the role successful. If you do not study for a degree that is related or even relatable to what you want to do, then you will struggle to land the job you want, and you will struggle to get the satisfaction out of any role you undertake.

Having a Plan of Action

Once you have decided which university you want to study at and you have decided which degree to pursue, you must now formulate a plan of action that will help you get the career you want. Without a plan of action, you may find it difficult to find a job with a company you want, and, as a result, you may have to settle for something less than you deserve. So, to begin with, your plan of action needs to have a timescale. If you are working on an infinite timescale, then you will find that you will never apply yourself as well as you can! So, aim for a 3-4 year timescale, and this way, you have ample time to complete your studies, and you have enough time to start seeking out opportunities.

As well as planning out your studies, you also need to have an action plan for gaining some experience. To gain suitable and relevant experience, you need to get some suitable and valuable work experience. When it comes to finding suitable work experience, it is worth looking both local, and further afield at engineering, and manufacturing businesses. Gaining work experience, even if it is irregular and just a few hours here and there will benefit you and will help you in the long term. Learning how engineering businesses operate and function is crucial so that you can understand how your future role fits into everything that happens, perhaps on a daily or weekly basis.

The Growing Demand for Engineers

Engineering has shortages, and it has demand, and these are unfortunately widespread. As older engineers are retiring, there are not enough suitably qualified or experienced engineers to take over, and this then leads to huge gaps within the workforce. Skills shortages, and shortages within minority groups, such as female engineers, mean that engineers are always in high demand. Building up your experience and your knowledge is crucial because experienced engineers will command more interest, and in return, you will be well remunerated and compensated. As businesses and industries change how they work and how they operate, the demand for engineers will continue to grow.

Due to the demands for engineers, businesses do compete, and they will compete for you once you have the correct qualification and education under your belt. Jumping at the first opportunity that comes your way is often not very beneficial, and this is important to remember, especially in an industry where they are shouting out for new people. Evaluating every opportunity on offer and selecting the right one for you that matches your views and your ways of working is crucial. Remember that being in demand within an industry can, unfortunately, come with its downsides, and one of these can be located. There are opportunities available all across the country and even across the world, but that does not mean that there will be a suitable vacancy available for you near to your preferred location. You may have to travel where the work is, and this is something that you should start planning for and preparing for as soon as possible. Planning and preparation will make it more comfortable and more enjoyable.

Changing Your Mindset

It can be difficult to change your mindset and to change your way of thinking, especially if you have been used to doing things in a certain manner for a period of time. However, when you are approaching new opportunities and you are putting your skillset to use every day, you must ensure that your mindset matches that of the company or business you are working for. If your mindset is different, or if it is not in line with how your employers want to proceed in the future, then you can struggle to hold down a suitable position. A positive mindset, and a mindset that is highly adaptable, is one that you should look at adopting, and although this might be a bit of an alien concept to you right now, you will see just how important a collaborative and cohesive mindset is amongst employees, and employers, especially when undertaking new projects and assignments.

Attributes and Skills of Good Engineers

Of course, all engineers are different, and they are all individuals. However, they all share a lot of attributes and skills which make them good engineers. So, do you share any of these attributes?

  • Creativity - You have to be creative to solve a problem or to put your plans and ideas into action. If you cannot think creatively, then you cannot see a solution or a resolution to a problem, and this could be a sticking point,
  • Positivity – A positive mindset and a positive approach to working are crucial. If you cannot maintain a positive mindset or approach, then you can struggle to get the answers and solutions you need, and you can end up letting your frustrations stop you and even hold you back from achieving what you know you are capable of.
  • Critical Thinking – Thinking quickly and applying critical thinking to those highly stressful times and situations is essential. Being able to think clearly, even in times of pressure and stress will help you solve problems and find a solution quickly.

Don’t panic if you do not have the time to change and tweak how you handle or approach situations, and you have time to adopt the correct mindset.

Seeking Out Opportunities

Now you have evaluated your skills and your attributes, and you have a strong and solid education behind you, it is time now to start seeking out opportunities. Finding new work placements and opportunities can be easy if you adopt the right mindset. When you are starting out and you are looking for new opportunities, you need to be open to working in different locations, and you even need to be open to working on short-term projects to build up experience. Finding opportunities online, approaching companies and businesses offline, and even signing up for job agencies will help you to get work that suits you. You may need to make compromises when you start out, and as you are building up your experience and connections, but if you persist, and if you remain open and flexible, then you should have no trouble in landing a position that suits you and that allows you to turn your passion and hobby into a career.

Syed Zain Nasir

I am Syed Zain Nasir, the founder of <a href=https://www.TheEngineeringProjects.com/>The Engineering Projects</a> (TEP). I am a programmer since 2009 before that I just search things, make small projects and now I am sharing my knowledge through this platform.I also work as a freelancer and did many projects related to programming and electrical circuitry. <a href=https://plus.google.com/+SyedZainNasir/>My Google Profile+</a>

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Syed Zain Nasir