# New to programming anything **URL:** \ **Category:** Support\ **Created:** [December 27, 2017, 12:59pm UTC](https://forums.blinkstick.com/t/new-to-programming-anything/879 "2017-12-27T12:59:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![cmeglow1](https://forums.blinkstick.com/user_avatar/forums.blinkstick.com/cmeglow1/32/491_2.png) [@cmeglow1](https://forums.blinkstick.com/u/cmeglow1)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2017, 12:59pm UTC](https://forums.blinkstick.com/t/new-to-programming-anything/879/1 "2017-12-27T12:59:52Z")
Hi there, I’m not good at programming at all and I just got the blinkstick square. Can anyone direct me to what program to use and where I can learn to use it so I can benefit from the square? Thank you in advanced. ---
**Author:** ![p0ke](https://forums.blinkstick.com/user_avatar/forums.blinkstick.com/p0ke/32/14_2.png) [@p0ke](https://forums.blinkstick.com/u/p0ke)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2017, 3:23pm UTC](https://forums.blinkstick.com/t/new-to-programming-anything/879/2 "2017-12-27T15:23:04Z")
Hey Justin, welcome to the forums. If you just want to “use” your Square, install the BlinkStick Client ([BlinkStick Client 2.0-rc release](https://forums.blinkstick.com/t/blinkstick-client-2-0-rc-release/342/105)) and play around with it´s functions. If you want to “program” with the Square there are tutorials in the tutorial section of [blinkstick.com](http://blinkstick.com) ([https://www.blinkstick.com/help/tutorials](https://www.blinkstick.com/help/tutorials)) or examples in the github section regarding the certain languages ([https://github.com/arvydas](https://github.com/arvydas)). ---
**Author:** ![cmeglow1](https://forums.blinkstick.com/user_avatar/forums.blinkstick.com/cmeglow1/32/491_2.png) [@cmeglow1](https://forums.blinkstick.com/u/cmeglow1)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2017, 2:22pm UTC](https://forums.blinkstick.com/t/new-to-programming-anything/879/3 "2017-12-28T14:22:40Z")
Ok cool, thanks. I guess worst case I can google or youtube to learn the languages? ---
**Author:** ![cmeglow1](https://forums.blinkstick.com/user_avatar/forums.blinkstick.com/cmeglow1/32/491_2.png) [@cmeglow1](https://forums.blinkstick.com/u/cmeglow1)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2017, 2:24pm UTC](https://forums.blinkstick.com/t/new-to-programming-anything/879/4 "2017-12-28T14:24:05Z")
I don’t see anything regarding the sqaure in the tutorials… ---
**Author:** ![p0ke](https://forums.blinkstick.com/user_avatar/forums.blinkstick.com/p0ke/32/14_2.png) [@p0ke](https://forums.blinkstick.com/u/p0ke)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2017, 8:24am UTC](https://forums.blinkstick.com/t/new-to-programming-anything/879/5 "2017-12-29T08:24:32Z")
Hey Justin, the base for every BlinkStick is the BlinkStick Pro, so there isn´t code for a special type of BlinkStick. My personal favorite programming language is C#/.NET. Here is an example you could use with a square: > **[arvydas/BlinkStickDotNet](https://github.com/arvydas/BlinkStickDotNet/wiki/Set-Indexed-Colors)** > > Set-Indexed-Colors The BlinkStick caused me also to start programming with python. So if you prefer python an example for you could be this: [BlinkStick Pro: Change Color of a Single LED · arvydas/blinkstick-python Wiki · GitHub](https://github.com/arvydas/blinkstick-python/wiki/BlinkStick-Pro%3A-Change-Color-of-a-Single-LED). index=12 will not work with a square as it has 8 LEDs only so set the index to 5 or so. I hope these examples could lead you to the right direction. Edit: The most simple examples can be found here: [https://www.blinkstick.com/](https://www.blinkstick.com/). Take a look at the section “Is it easy to control a BlinkStick?”. You´ll find tabs for 6 different programming languages each with a small code which works with a square also. ---
**Author:** ![cmeglow1](https://forums.blinkstick.com/user_avatar/forums.blinkstick.com/cmeglow1/32/491_2.png) [@cmeglow1](https://forums.blinkstick.com/u/cmeglow1)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2018, 9:52pm UTC](https://forums.blinkstick.com/t/new-to-programming-anything/879/6 "2018-01-20T21:52:41Z")
I tried the blink stick client but doesn’t seem to work for this blink square. I can get a light on but the patterns don’t work and show the blink stick not the square… ---
**Author:** ![cmeglow1](https://forums.blinkstick.com/user_avatar/forums.blinkstick.com/cmeglow1/32/491_2.png) [@cmeglow1](https://forums.blinkstick.com/u/cmeglow1)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2018, 11:26pm UTC](https://forums.blinkstick.com/t/new-to-programming-anything/879/7 "2018-01-20T23:26:28Z")
I tried python, i don’t know what i’m doing at all, I just want to know how to program this square with different lights for different things. I wish this wasn’t so hard ☹ ---
**Author:** ![cmeglow1](https://forums.blinkstick.com/user_avatar/forums.blinkstick.com/cmeglow1/32/491_2.png) [@cmeglow1](https://forums.blinkstick.com/u/cmeglow1)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2018, 12:06am UTC](https://forums.blinkstick.com/t/new-to-programming-anything/879/8 "2018-01-21T00:06:10Z")
I tried Processing and it seems to work, but how do I write to the square so I can use it in a 3d printed candle? ---
**Author:** ![p0ke](https://forums.blinkstick.com/user_avatar/forums.blinkstick.com/p0ke/32/14_2.png) [@p0ke](https://forums.blinkstick.com/u/p0ke)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2018, 10:50am UTC](https://forums.blinkstick.com/t/new-to-programming-anything/879/9 "2018-01-22T10:50:23Z")
Hey, please take a look at this site. Under “Examples” are a few code snippets that should help: [http://arvydas.github.io/blinkstick-processing/](http://arvydas.github.io/blinkstick-processing/) ---
**Author:** ![cmeglow1](https://forums.blinkstick.com/user_avatar/forums.blinkstick.com/cmeglow1/32/491_2.png) [@cmeglow1](https://forums.blinkstick.com/u/cmeglow1)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2018, 1:11pm UTC](https://forums.blinkstick.com/t/new-to-programming-anything/879/10 "2018-01-22T13:11:02Z")
Yah, I got that working and all but how do I upload the programming to the blinkstick square so I can use the square in a 3d printed lamp plugged into the wall outlet? ---
**Author:** ![arvydas](https://forums.blinkstick.com/user_avatar/forums.blinkstick.com/arvydas/32/242_2.png) [@arvydas](https://forums.blinkstick.com/u/arvydas)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2018, 1:22pm UTC](https://forums.blinkstick.com/t/new-to-programming-anything/879/11 "2018-01-22T13:22:25Z")
BlinkSticks do not support this feature. They require a computer to drive them through USB. ---
**Author:** ![cmeglow1](https://forums.blinkstick.com/user_avatar/forums.blinkstick.com/cmeglow1/32/491_2.png) [@cmeglow1](https://forums.blinkstick.com/u/cmeglow1)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2018, 1:42pm UTC](https://forums.blinkstick.com/t/new-to-programming-anything/879/12 "2018-01-22T13:42:18Z")
Well that sucks. This was a waste of money then. I was hoping to take whatever I programmed and made to work… ---
**Author:** ![Diff](https://forums.blinkstick.com/user_avatar/forums.blinkstick.com/diff/32/553_2.png) [@Diff](https://forums.blinkstick.com/u/Diff)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2018, 3:59pm UTC](https://forums.blinkstick.com/t/new-to-programming-anything/879/13 "2018-01-22T15:59:57Z")
A lot of people use a tiny computer like a Raspberry Pi to drive the Blinkstick when it’s being used as an appliance like that. ---
**Author:** ![cmeglow1](https://forums.blinkstick.com/user_avatar/forums.blinkstick.com/cmeglow1/32/491_2.png) [@cmeglow1](https://forums.blinkstick.com/u/cmeglow1)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2018, 4:15pm UTC](https://forums.blinkstick.com/t/new-to-programming-anything/879/14 "2018-01-22T16:15:00Z")
Ok, that would be fine, like the pi3 or just pi1? More help lol. Sorry i’m such a noob at this stuff, i’m excellent at computers otherwise lol. ---
**Author:** ![Diff](https://forums.blinkstick.com/user_avatar/forums.blinkstick.com/diff/32/553_2.png) [@Diff](https://forums.blinkstick.com/u/Diff)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2018, 4:31pm UTC](https://forums.blinkstick.com/t/new-to-programming-anything/879/15 "2018-01-22T16:31:36Z")
Either would work. As long as it runs Linux and has a USB port to plug it into. I’ve got the Pi1B and it works just fine with my BlinkStick Flex. ---
**Author:** ![cmeglow1](https://forums.blinkstick.com/user_avatar/forums.blinkstick.com/cmeglow1/32/491_2.png) [@cmeglow1](https://forums.blinkstick.com/u/cmeglow1)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2018, 4:44pm UTC](https://forums.blinkstick.com/t/new-to-programming-anything/879/16 "2018-01-22T16:44:33Z")
Ok cool, ill keep in contact when ready to do so, im not familiar with Linux either lol. I’ll need to be spoon fed for this one lol. ---
**Author:** ![p0ke](https://forums.blinkstick.com/user_avatar/forums.blinkstick.com/p0ke/32/14_2.png) [@p0ke](https://forums.blinkstick.com/u/p0ke)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2018, 6:54pm UTC](https://forums.blinkstick.com/t/new-to-programming-anything/879/17 "2018-01-22T18:54:54Z")
I would also prefer a Pi1 as it is very cheap… ---
**Author:** ![dcerisano](https://forums.blinkstick.com/user_avatar/forums.blinkstick.com/dcerisano/32/460_2.png) [@dcerisano](https://forums.blinkstick.com/u/dcerisano)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2018, 2:19am UTC](https://forums.blinkstick.com/t/new-to-programming-anything/879/18 "2018-01-26T02:19:33Z")
Blinkstick is compatible with Arduino programming, but you need be able to flash it, which I believe requires some special (but not expensive) equipment. That would allow you to make it do what ever you want by itself when you turn it on. The firmware it comes with is only designed for computer control over usb.