Your first project will use the Digital IO pins to light up an LED. To do this, you'll need to gather two more hardware pieces. The first is an LED (Light Emitting Diode). This is a small part with two leads that lights up when voltage is applied. They come in a wide variety of colors. If you want to buy them online, search for a 3-mm LED. You can also get them at most electronics shops. The image shows an LED:
You'll also need a resistor to limit the current to the LED; a 220-ohm resister would be the right size. Again, you can get them online or at most electronics shops. The following image shows a resistor:
If you get three LEDs and resistors, you can exercise three of the Digital IO pins.
Now that you have all the bits and bobs, let's build your first hardware project. Before you plug anything in, let's look at the breadboard for a moment so that you can understand how you are going to use it to make connections. You'll be plugging your wires into the holes on the breadboard. The holes on the breadboard are connected in a unique way to make the connections you desire.
In the middle of the breadboard, the holes are connected across the board. So if you plug in a wire, and another wire in the hole right next to it, these two wires will be connected, like this:
The two rows on each side of the board are generally designed to provide power, so they are connected up and down, like this:
So let's place the electronics on the breadboard. Place the LEDs in such a way that one wire is on one side of the middle split of the breadboard. The direction of the LED is important; make sure that the longer of the two wires is on the left side of the hole, like this:
Now place the resistors on the holes on one side. The direction of the resistor does not make any difference, but make sure the second wire lead is placed in the row of holes at the end of the board, like this:
These will all be connected together, and will be connected to the GND of the Galileo using one of the jumper cables like this:
Finally, use jumper wires to connect the Digital IO pins 13, 12, and 11 to the holes on the breadboard, like this:
Now that the hardware is configured correctly, you'll need to add code to activate the LEDs.