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Getting Started with Raspberry Pi Course

Set up your first Raspberry Pi from scratch — install Raspberry Pi OS, configure SSH and Wi-Fi, and run your first Python and Node.js programs on the world's…

Course overview

Set up your first Raspberry Pi from scratch — install Raspberry Pi OS, configure SSH and Wi-Fi, and run your first Python and Node.js programs on the world's most popular single-board computer.

What is Raspberry Pi?

The Raspberry Pi is a credit-card-sized single-board computer (SBC) developed by the Raspberry Pi Foundation. It runs a full Linux OS, has GPIO pins for hardware projects, and costs as little as $5 (Pi Zero 2W) to $80 (Pi 5). Popular models in 2024: | Model | CPU | RAM | Best For | |-------|-----|-----|----------| | Pi 5 | 2.4GHz quad-core | 4/8 GB | Desktop, AI, emulation | | Pi 4B | 1.8GHz quad-core | 1-8 GB | Server, NAS, retro gaming | | Pi Zero 2W | 1GHz quad-core | 512 MB | Wearables, IoT, drones | | Pi 400 | 1.8GHz quad-core | 4 GB | All-in-one desktop keyboard | Key features: 40-pin GPIO header for connecting sensors, motors, LEDs HDMI output, USB ports, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Camera interface (CSI) for Pi Camera modules MicroSD card as storage (or NVMe SSD on Pi 5)

First Boot: Flash & Configure

Use the Raspberry Pi Imager to flash Raspberry Pi OS to a microSD card. In the imager's Advanced Options (⚙️), pre-configure your hostname, SSH, Wi-Fi credentials, and locale — no keyboard or monitor needed (headless setup).

Blink an LED with GPIO

GPIO (General Purpose Input/Output) pins let you control physical hardware from software. This is "Hello World" for electronics — blink an LED connected to GPIO pin 17.

Running a Web Server on Pi

Your Raspberry Pi can run a full web server accessible on your local network — great for home automation dashboards, IoT data logging, or self-hosted services.