I would rather it be not Java. Although getting rid of PBASIC makes it so much powerful. I'll know enough Java by January but I hope it's C++, it is so much simpler and well I have more experience with it. The problem is we most likely won't get the new control system until competition starts.

I think Java would be slower. It takes me about 1.5 seconds to load MSVS .NET IDE and MSVC++ 6 IDE, where as it can take me about 5 to load a Java IDE (all programmed in Java to by the way).

Ah, yes obviously java is slower. But the javelin stamp processes 8000 commands per second apparently (parallax.com). I think that would be sufficient enough for what we need. Well, I wouldn't consider C++ simplier. I would rank level of difficulty from C to C++ to Java being the easiest. C'mon to go to the next pointer in java isn't it like list.nextPtr();. Also, you might not realize how much actual support parallax has for the javelin stamp, in documentation, function lists with examples and descriptions parsed nicely, and several examples. It's actually pretty nice. It all depends how the code is stored and processed, they could compile the java code or not. I haven't read up enough on the javelin stamp to tell you.

In a somewhat related topic, I got to see the field control set that's going to be used next year the other day (IFI gave us a set for use at the Maryland State Fair Competition). Basically, they seem to look exactly like the field control components from 2003 (from the outside at least). They do support autonomous mode and they do support previous year's controllers. This may mean that there are only superficial changes to them. If anyone's really interested I may take some pictures of them and post them. You really can't tell much from just looking at it however.

Matt

There is also a lot of documentation on the BASIC stamp and PBASIC language.
I'd love to see some pictures of the controllers.

What about a FORTRAN derivative? FORTRAN has been around for years, and is still a popular programming language at Universities for math and science. Almost any mentor would know it, as many of them have taken a course in this language in college. It is incredibly easy to learn, and it is really portable. Autonomous coding by dead reckoning would be easy to - just use the etime() function. Are there any RCs, stamps, or chips that support this??? Honestly, though, I really like PBasic for this purpose. THough it is slow and awkward, it gets the job done. C# is absolute crap for an application like this (or any application...sorry, but it absolutely sucks), C is a little archaic, Java is too awkward and slow, and C++ seems unlikely for various reasons. If they do change it, it will probably be to a language similar to PBasic, probably another BASIC derivative (hopefully this one will be faster and allow more variables/variable space).

Why not take into consideration that any language will be as fast as any other on average. The microprocessor, I'm almost 100% sure, will be designed to run off that language specifically. Therefore, it's most likely going to be native code. So, whether they use C, C++, Java, PBasic, or FORTRAN I think the issue of speed is not of concern. The code will be converted into a common form of machine code anyways. Well, I still don't see why they would use an alternate to Basic or Javelin stamp by Parallax. I think usfirst is trying to move toward more autonomous programming and java would be a more applicable and practical tool for the real world and an easy switch I might add.

Two things:

#1, it's FIRST. Not USFIRST. It's been said numerous times before. Yes, the website is usfirst.org. Yes, it is the United States Foundation For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology. But... the short name is, and has been, FIRST for at least 6 or 8 years.

#2, while Java may be more of a "practical tool for the real world", it has been said numerous times that the majority of embedded microprocessors run C. So, while Java is gaining wide acceptance on the Web, and a few other application areas, C is still much more prevalent in the kinds of things we are doing in FIRST.

#1, I think that's an trite claim, you seem to forget the resources available. Parallax already has a javelin stamp. Parallax, i'm sure, is trying to promote their new stamp. Parallax brags at the speed of the javelin stamp being faster than the basic stamp. What microprocessor would USFIRST use for C and would the "opportunity cost" be less than one provided by Parallax? By the way, do you think it's easier to write a Java Applet for a cell phone or a C based program. Even though I despise java, I think you lack to see the multi-purpose use of the language in your argument: "Java is gaining wide acceptance on the Web."

#2, Does it matter if someone calls it USFIRST as opposed to FIRST. I'm sorry this seems irrelevant.

Well I know plenty of microcontrollers that First can use that can be programmed in C and they usually cost a couple of dollars. The Pic's can be programmed in C and are cheap and I am sure that others can be. In fact my one book said you can have a working PIC microcontroller that can be programmed in C for as little as 20 dollars.
You say potatoe and I say potato. Potatoe. Potato. Hey lets call the whole thing off.

$20, would you mind sending me some links...I would rather buy one for $20 than pay parallax $70 for a new chip for our blimp project.

Thanks...

if you want something cheap and don't have a compiler or don't like assembly, Check out the Basic Atom pro. It usually sells for about $29 and is a bit more capable than even the bs2p series. I have one for a project im working on but haven't used it yet.
http://www.basicmicro.com