ESP32 - Code Structure

To learn how to program for ESP32, you need to learn the structure of ESP32 code. This tutorial provides and explains the structure of ESP32 code.

Hardware Used In This Tutorial

1	×	ESP-WROOM-32 Dev Module
1	×	USB Cable Type-C
1	×	(Optional) DC Power Jack
1	×	Breadboard
1	×	Jumper Wires
1	×	(Recommended) ESP32 Screw Terminal Adapter

Or you can buy the following sensor kit:

DIYables Sensor Kit 30 types, 69 units

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Basic Code Structure

ESP32 code (also called ESP32 sketch) has the same structure as Arduino Code. It includes two main parts: setup code and loop code.

Setup Code

Setup code is code in setup() function.
Setup code is executed right after power-up or reset
Setup code is executed only one time.
Setup code is used to initialize variables, pin modes, start using libraries,

Loop Code

Loop code is code in loop() function.
Loop code is executed right after setup code.
Loop code is executed repeatedly (infinitely).
Loop code is used to do the main task of application

Example

void setup() { // put your setup code here, to executed once: Serial.begin(9600); Serial.println("This is ESP32 setup code"); } void loop() { // put your main code here, to run repeatedly: Serial.println("This is ESP32 loop code"); delay(1000); }

Quick Instructions

If this is the first time you use ESP32, see how to setup environment for ESP32 on Arduino IDE.
Copy the above code and paste it to Arduino IDE.
Compile and upload code to ESP32 board by clicking Upload button on Arduino IDE
Open Serial Monitor on Arduino IDE

How to open serial monitor on Arduino IDE

See the output on Serial Monitor

COM6

Send

This is ESP32 setup code This is ESP32 loop code This is ESP32 loop code This is ESP32 loop code This is ESP32 loop code This is ESP32 loop code This is ESP32 loop code This is ESP32 loop code

Autoscroll Show timestamp

Clear output

9600 baud

Newline

As you can see on Serial Monitor, “This is ESP32 the setup code” is printed once, but “This is ESP32 loop code” is printed many times. It means the ESP32 setup code is executed once, the ESP32 loop code is executed repeatedly. The setup code is executed first.

※ NOTE THAT:

setup() and loop() functions MUST be used in ESP32 code. If not, it generates an error.

Other Parts

Apart from setup and loop code, an ESP32 sketch can include some of the following parts:

Block comment: usually used to write some information about the author, the wiring instruction, the license ... ESP32 will ignore this part.
Libraries inclusion: is used to include libraries into the sketch.
Constant definition: used to define constant
Global variables declaration

For example:

/* * This ESP32 code is created by esp32io.com * * This ESP32 code is released in the public domain * * For more detail (instruction and wiring diagram), visit https://esp32io.com/tutorials/esp32-code-structure */ #include <Servo.h> #include <LiquidCrystal.h> #define MAX_COUNT 180 Servo servo; LiquidCrystal lcd(3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8); int loop_count = 0; void setup() { Serial.begin(9600); lcd.begin(16, 2); servo.attach(9); Serial.println("This is ESP32 setup code"); } void loop() { loop_count++; Serial.print("This is ESP32 loop code, count: "); Serial.println(loop_count); lcd.print("Hello World!"); servo.write(loop_count); if(loop_count >= MAX_COUNT) loop_count = 0; delay(1000); }

Quick Instructions

If this is the first time you use ESP32, see how to setup environment for ESP32 on Arduino IDE.
Copy the above code and paste it to Arduino IDE.
Compile and upload code to ESP32 board by clicking Upload button on Arduino IDE
Open Serial Monitor on Arduino IDE

See the output on Serial Monitor

COM6

Send

This is ESP32 setup code This is ESP32 loop code, count: 1 This is ESP32 loop code, count: 2 This is ESP32 loop code, count: 3 This is ESP32 loop code, count: 4 This is ESP32 loop code, count: 5 This is ESP32 loop code, count: 6 This is ESP32 loop code, count: 7

Autoscroll Show timestamp

Clear output

9600 baud

Newline

We do NOT need to understand code line by line now. We just need to know about code structure. The line-by-line code will be explained in the next tutorials.

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