user12060: If I have a basic electronic board with some LEDs and sound fx and I want to program them (I'm a beginner, learning about arduino), does the arduino board always have to be connected to the actual electronic board I'm running or is there a way to "upload" the programming to the circuit board? 

user4143: If the "basic electronic board" is programmable, then yes, you can upload a program to it.
In general, though, "some LEDs" and similar devices are not programmable, and without something to drive them (i.e., the Arduino) they won't do anything at all.  The Arduino is what has the program and it tells the "basic electronic board", moment by moment, what it should be doing.  It is the brain of the operation.  Remove the brain from someone and you'll find their body no longer functions.

12060: <p>If I have a basic electronic board with some LEDs and sound fx and I want to program them (I'm a beginner, learning about arduino), does the arduino board always have to be connected to the actual electronic board I'm running or is there a way to "upload" the programming to the circuit board? </p>
 4143: <p>If the "basic electronic board" is programmable, then yes, you can upload a program to it.</p>

<p>In general, though, "some LEDs" and similar devices are not programmable, and without something to <em>drive</em> them (i.e., the Arduino) they won't do anything at all.  The Arduino is what has the program and it tells the "basic electronic board", moment by moment, what it should be doing.  It is the <em>brain</em> of the operation.  Remove the brain from someone and you'll find their body no longer functions.</p>
