Running Functions Simultaneously in Arduino: The Ultimate Guide to Multitasking

Discover how to run multiple functions simultaneously on Arduino without blocking delays. Learn effective techniques to achieve true multitasking!
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Running Functions Simultaneously in Arduino: The Ultimate Guide to Multitasking

If you're diving into the world of Arduino, you might encounter a common challenge: how to run multiple functions simultaneously. In many programming environments, multitasking is straightforward, but Arduino, a microcontroller board, operates differently. It does not have an operating system to manage tasks, which means you have to employ some clever coding strategies to achieve the effect of multitasking.

The Problem

Let's say you have two functions, a() and b(), that include delays:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

The goal is to run both functions in parallel without one blocking the other. Currently, if you call a(), it would block the execution of b() for 3 seconds due to the delay() function.

The Solution

To resolve this, you need to avoid blocking functions like delay(). Instead, we can use the millis() function, which is not blocking and allows you to track the time without pausing program execution. Below are the steps to implement this solution:

Step-by-Step Approach

Use Non-Blocking Code

Replace your blocking delays with non-blocking constructs using millis(). Here’s how you can modify function a():

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Implement Function b() Similarly

You would also change function b() in the same way, ensuring both functions can run independently:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Call Functions in loop()

Finally, you would call both functions in the loop() function of your Arduino sketch so that the Arduino continuously checks whether it's time to execute code within each function:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Benefits of This Approach

Simultaneous Execution: Both functions can respond independently based on the time elapsed.

Control: You can execute code in both functions without one waiting for the other to finish.

Flexibility: This pattern allows you to easily scale your program to include more functions in the future.

Conclusion

By switching from blocking delays to using millis(), you enable your Arduino program to handle multiple tasks more efficiently. This approach not only makes your code responsive but also allows the management of timings across various functions without hindrance. You can further explore creating a timer class to handle timing requirements, which provides greater modularity and reusability in your projects.

By mastering this technique, you can elevate your Arduino projects, making them more sophisticated and capable. Happy coding!