But How Does it All Work?
The Breadboard:
A white board with pegs for wires that has conductive metal running through it in a distinct pattern. When connected by wires, these help form a circuit.
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The wires go from the RedBoard to the Breadboard or from the Breadboard to the Breadboard.
Figure 1. Wikipedia
Notice that some metal strips go up and down the sides while others move horizontally halfway through the board on either side.
This is crucial because many schematics will have you connect power to one of the long pieces on the side. This allows you to connect anything that needs power to that side rather than reconnecting it to the power source over and over again (not enough space foe that!)
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As for the metal in the middle, make sure that when you are connecting equipment that the connecting wire is touching the same metal strip that the equipment is touching. Be wary of the space in the middle.
The RedBoard:
This is the tiny computer that takes in your code (and can remember it) and pushes the electrical current through Breadboard. The wired are connected into the black pegs and the code must be uploaded while the computer is connected to the USB connecter.
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The Microcontroller is a piece mounted on the RedBoard that has memory to take in a certain amount of code and run it.
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Figure 2. Sparkfun Electronics
The holes on the RedBoard are defined by 3 sections, each with a different purpose.
Numbers 0-13 (with some letters as well) are the digital pins that will be indicated in your code. Oftentimes a specific piece of equipment will be connected to one of these pins.
The analog pins all start with the letter A and are able to read the voltage that is coming through your circuit. This information can be used as something your code understands.
The power pins are the last set and are grouped together next to the analog pins. These send the power through the circuit and it is crucial to connect the ground and the 5v pins to the edges of the Breadboard so that they can be used by all equpiment. The "RedBoard" can take on different forms. There are many boards of different colors and sizes that have similar inputs. For example some may have wifi attachments or be able to be embedded in the Breadboard.
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The Code:
These are the directions. They are in C++, and while you never have to write it completely by yourself (unless you want to), it is important to understand how it works.
Libraries:
This is the code segment that is defined by one command and holds lots of specific commands and libraries inside it. Oftentimes a library comes with a certain piece of equipment. Saves time and ensures accuracy.
Void setup:
This is the second section of your code after libraries and defines things important to your code such as pins being used for equipment on the RedBoard.
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Void Loop:
The third section, this holds the commands you want your code to be constantly running. This can be useful in terms of a sensor that is constantly y taking in and relaying data.