Belajar Node Red

Introduction

This tutorial is designed to guide you through the basics of Node-RED, a visual programming tool used for connecting hardware devices, APIs, and online services in IoT applications. Whether you are a beginner or looking to refresh your skills, this step-by-step guide will help you understand Node-RED's functionality and how to get started.

Step 1: Install Node-RED

1. Prerequisites: Ensure you have Node.js installed on your machine. You can download it from Node.js official site.
2. Install Node-RED:
   • Open your terminal or command prompt.
   • Run the following command to install Node-RED globally:

     npm install -g node-red
     

3. Start Node-RED:
   • After installation, start Node-RED by typing:

     node-red
     

   • This will launch Node-RED, typically accessible at http://localhost:1880.

Step 2: Navigate the Node-RED Interface

1. Overview of the Interface:

   • You will see the main workspace where you can drag and drop nodes.
   • The palette on the left contains different nodes categorized by functionality.
   • The sidebar allows you to configure nodes and view debug messages.

2. Familiarize Yourself with Node Types:

   • Input Nodes: Receive data from various sources (e.g., HTTP, MQTT).
   • Output Nodes: Send data to destinations (e.g., Dashboard, devices).
   • Function Nodes: Allow you to write custom JavaScript code to manipulate data.

Step 3: Create Your First Flow

1. Add Nodes:

   • Drag an input node (like an Inject node) onto the workspace.
   • Drag an output node (like a Debug node) next to it.

2. Connect Nodes:

   • Click on the small circle on the right side of the Inject node and drag it to the left side of the Debug node to create a link.

3. Configure the Inject Node:

   • Double-click the Inject node to configure it.
   • Set the payload type (e.g., string, number) and value.

4. Deploy the Flow:

   • Click the Deploy button in the top right corner to save your changes.

5. Test the Flow:

   • Click the button on the Inject node to trigger it.
   • Check the debug tab on the right sidebar to see the output.

Step 4: Expand Your Flow with Additional Functionality

1. Add More Nodes:

   • Explore various nodes from the palette, such as Function nodes for data processing or HTTP Request nodes for API calls.

2. Use Function Nodes:

   • Drag a Function node to the workspace and connect it between an input and output node.
   • Double-click to edit and write JavaScript code for custom data manipulation. For example:

     msg.payload = msg.payload.toUpperCase();
     return msg;
     

3. Deploy and Test:

   • After making changes, click Deploy again.
   • Test the flow by injecting data and observing how it processes through the function node.

Step 5: Create a Dashboard

1. Install Dashboard Nodes:

   • In the terminal, install the dashboard package:

     npm install node-red-dashboard
     

2. Add Dashboard Nodes:

   • Drag dashboard nodes (e.g., ui_button, ui_gauge) from the palette.
   • Connect them to your flow as needed.

3. Access the Dashboard:

   • Once deployed, access your dashboard at http://localhost:1880/ui.

Conclusion

You've now learned the basics of Node-RED, from installation to creating your first flow and building a simple dashboard. Node-RED is powerful for building IoT applications, and with this foundation, you can explore more complex interactions and integrations.

Next steps can include:

• Experimenting with different node types.
• Integrating external APIs.
• Exploring community contributions and shared flows on the Node-RED website.

Happy coding!