The following few pages will introduce you to programming the GPIO on the Raspberry Pi using command-line tools, shell and C programs. We will use LEDs for output and buttons for inputs.
First – the development platform. This is a Raspberry Pi inside an SKPang breadboard system and I’m using components from their Raspberry Pi Starter Kit. The top of the case has been removed in my photos to reduce reflections for the photos.
SKPang’s Raspberry Pi Starter Kit
Other starter kits are of-course available, (and you might not be in the UK!) but if you get something like this – a small breadboard, some female to male jumper leads, LEDs, resistors and buttons then you’ll be fine. (e.g. if you are in the US, then Adafruit has a range of some Pi accessories, but do shop around!)
Examples: