Rotary VS ArduinoCore-API

Here is my code, I'm using the Rotary.h library from this repository

Suggest you use the Enable-Interrupt library along with this Rotary Library. Rotary-Lib's example code demonstrates direction detection (in just a few lines).

https://forum.arduino.cc/t/reading-rotary-encoders-as-a-state-machine/937388 and https://github.com/brianlow/Rotary popped up with a quick google search :P

If you are stuck with no other options, I suggest you try THIS library and its sample Code as a start to getting encoder signals. Then add in detection of the button.

I recommend Rotary library found HERE. It supports Interrupt driven as well as polled methods. Set the Example code HERE for Interrupt and HERE for polled.

Or you could buy a rotary encoder and use a display with it to read-out how much travel you applied rotationally. Life gets easier using THIS rotary library to detect changes. You get very fast response using Interrupts for the encoder A-B lines (2 Interrupts total). I like the Enable Interrupt library for this.

rotary library (see example code at this link, its super easy)

To make life far easier, I recommend using the Rotary library. Just peek at the example and its obvious a lot of heavy lifting is done for you. This includes software de-bounce and the ability to detect rotation rate (aka acceleration).

I recommend the EnableInterrupt library and the Rotary library as one easy way to get encoders up and running.

Rotary

If you want to really learn it I'd recommend Bro Codes C guide, that'll make it easier to understand, his C++ guide is a bit longer but once you know C++ it's a matter of going to the Arduino references and looking for the function you need.

First, go to the Language Reference, which defines exactly what the commands do.

A great way to introduce yourself to the syntax of C/C++ and, more specifically the various functions and capabilities of the Arduino is to go through the documentation's Reference page on the company's website and read through each function and keyword. By the end of the page you'll have a solid overview of the capabilities of the platform and a certain amount of familiarity on how to use them.

You need a Serial.begin and a Serial.println to see something on the Serial monitor. Have a look at the documentation or some sample programs to see these statements. If you don't have Serial.print statements, nothing will display because you are not asking for anything to be displayed. As for the gibberish when you reset, it is possible these are remnants from an old program. Make sure the value supply to begin matches your serial monitor's baud rate setting (i.e. 9600 from your original post).

You might want to have a look at the documentation.

If you study the Arduino Language Reference, you'll find |=, <<, >>.

The arduino documentation is (or was back when i did a lot of work with arduinos) very thorough. Book mark the reference material https://www.arduino.cc/reference/en/ its very handy to have close at hand.

Arduino Reference - Arduino Reference what i usually scroll through to get me through any projects and i started off same place as you not knowing anything about coding and it got me through most of the projects i started. best to just keep making mistakes though and eventually the sketch will compile.

You can find what you need to start programming with Arduino on this page: https://www.arduino.cc/reference/en/