Toggle LED Strip Between Two Colors

Code

The code in the editor below is ready to run! Plug your Code Lab in to your computer's USB port with the cable and hit 'Upload Your Code!' to see what it does. Change something in the code, like a delay or pin number. Try to add something new to the program - it's yours to tinker with! You can always press the 'Restore' button to return the code to the working example.

Walkthrough Video

Watch the video for a line-by-line explanation of how the example program works. Then you'll be ready to make some changes of your own!

Video Notes for Code Lab Users:

You will use “50” instead of “15” as the first argument in your LEDStrip function.
The second and third arguments of the LEDStrip function (13 and 12) do not need to change. These connections are permanently set on Code Lab.
Your button is connected to port 8, not port 6 as the video says.

Use this spectrum to estimate the color values you'll need for your 'setPixel' arguments to achieve your favorite color!

Challenges

Can you complete the challenges? Change the code in your code editor above. Upload your code to see the effect when you're finished. Complete a challenge? Check it off the list!

What happens if you hold down the button? How do you think the value of the pressCount variable is changing each time the loop runs?

Change the delay value to something really small, less than 10. Now what happens when you hold down the button? Can you explain how that is happening?

Change the colors that the LED strip toggles between by changing the color value arguments in the setPixel functions.

Concepts

These are the new code concepts covered in this example program. To become a great coder, read through these concepts to learn new vocabulary.

Quiz

If you're having trouble, try to run an experimental program or look at the example code to help you find the answer.

1. Which syntax ends the entire 'void loop' function?

semicolon ;
parentheses )
closing curly brace }

2. Which syntax ends a single code command?

semicolon ;
closing curly brace }
period .

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