Datasheet

You can then use Atmel's FLIP software (Windows) or the DFU programmer (Mac OS X and
Linux) to load a new firmware. Or you can use the ISP header with an external programmer
(overwriting the DFU bootloader). See this user-contributed tutorial for more information.
Rather than requiring a physical press of the reset button before an upload, the Arduino Uno
is designed in a way that allows it to be reset by software running on a connected computer.
One of the hardware flow control lines (DTR) of the ATmega8U2/16U2 is connected to the
reset line of the ATmega328 via a 100 nanofarad capacitor. When this line is asserted (taken
low), the reset line drops long enough to reset the chip. The Arduino software uses this
capability to allow you to upload code by simply pressing the upload button in the Arduino
environment. This means that the bootloader can have a shorter timeout, as the lowering of
DTR can be well-coordinated with the start of the upload.
This setup has other implications. When the Uno is connected to either a computer running
Mac OS X or Linux, it resets each time a connection is made to it from software (via USB).
For the following half-second or so, the bootloader is running on the Uno. While it is
programmed to ignore malformed data (i.e. anything besides an upload of new code), it will
intercept the first few bytes of data sent to the board after a connection is opened. If a sketch
running on the board receives one-time configuration or other data when it first starts, make
sure that the software with which it communicates waits a second after opening the
connection and before sending this data.
The Uno contains a trace that can be cut to disable the auto-reset. The pads on either side of
the trace can be soldered together to re-enable it. It's labeled "RESET-EN". You may also be
able to disable the auto-reset by connecting a 110 ohm resistor from 5V to the reset line; see
this forum thread for details.
The Arduino Uno has a resettable polyfuse that protects your computer's USB ports from
shorts and overcurrent. Although most computers provide their own internal protection, the
fuse provides an extra layer of protection. If more than 500 mA is applied to the USB port,
the fuse will automatically break the connection until the short or overload is removed.
The maximum length and width of the Uno PCB are 2.7 and 2.1 inches respectively, with the
USB connector and power jack extending beyond the former dimension. Four screw holes
allow the board to be attached to a surface or case. Note that the distance between digital pins
7 and 8 is 160 mil (0.16"), not an even multiple of the 100 mil spacing of the other pins.