Programming FAQ

[Bharat Nain]

Question: What OS is on the robot? If there is none or its horrible can I put embedded Linux on it? I only run Linux myself, is it possible to program this robot on Linux? Is there some sort of emulator I can get so I don't have to be with the robot, or it dose not have to be fully built for me to test?
Or basically
I am a rookie, where do I start, I want to learn about the robot controller.


Answer: OK first, yes you can program this robot using Linux. Visit http://kevin.org/frc/ and you should find some more information. For starting off, I highly recommend the documents on http://www.innovationfirst.com/FIRS...cumentation.htm
And then if you are advanced enough you can look at this page, but only if you are a really core programmer. Otherwise innovation FIRST is the best place to start.

To answer another part of you question, there is no OS on the robot controller. It is a microchip which understands C and assembler. Search, Read documents and get a feel of what our robot controller(microchip product) is. Its might not be such a good idea to try to go as far and put Linux on there or something, Search, Read documents you can find and you will get a feel.

-Bharat

[cabbagekid2]

Question: Does everyone use the C18 compiler? Or do some of you use the Visual Studio C compiler?

If you use the Visual Studio C complier, how would you download the code to the RC?

[Matt Leese]

Originally Posted by cabbagekid2

Question: Does everyone use the C18 compiler? Or do some of you use the Visual Studio C compiler?

If you use the Visual Studio C complier, how would you download the code to the RC?

You must use the C18 compiler. The Visual Studio C++ compiler does not target the Microchip microcontroller.

Matt

[Astronouth7303]

Q: Where can I find all this cool stuff that was talked about in the (2005) kickoff?

A: The Camera stuff, default code, (eventually) the new firmware (master code), and technical docs are on http://ifirobotics.com. The link to the new IDE and MCC18 compiler are on FIRST's website (http://www.usfirst.org/).

Q: I CAN'T FIND THE COMPILER!!! THE LINK IS MESSED UP!!! HELP!!!

A: Yes, we know you can't download the compiler right now. Asking again won't help. Just try again later (like tomarrow) and hope it works. We can't do anything about it no matter how much you pester us.

[Astronouth7303]

Q. Why won't my program link? (Generic Linking problems)

A. If you have any kind of linking problems, the first thing you should do is to tell it to Build All (Ctrl+F10, or Project > Build All). If this doesn't help, keep digging here.

[JBotAlan]

Originally Posted by Astronouth7303

Q: I CAN'T FIND THE COMPILER!!! THE LINK IS MESSED UP!!! HELP!!!

A: Yes, we know you can't download the compiler right now. Asking again won't help. Just try again later (like tomarrow) and hope it works. We can't do anything about it no matter how much you pester us.

I e-mailed the support e-mail address on usfirst.org and the next day it worked. I don't know if this was just coincidence or if it was because of my e-mail, but there it is.

[Astronouth7303]

Originally Posted by Astronouth7303

Q: I CAN'T FIND THE COMPILER!!! THE LINK IS MESSED UP!!! HELP!!!

A: Yes, we know you can't download the compiler right now. Asking again won't help. Just try again later (like tomarrow) and hope it works. We can't do anything about it no matter how much you pester us.

This is now outdated. At kick-off, Dave Lavery said that the compiler would be on Microchip's website for 2 weeks. The beggining of week number three was January 22, 2005. If you are still in need of a compiler, your best bet is to contact another FIRST member.

[Joohoo]

Right now for my team I am the only ""programmer"" so we are using the same code from last year to run the new one, but the computer that held it crashed and our back up is sitting on a college freshmen's desk.

Q. is there anyway to "uncompile" the code directly from the controller? or do i have to start from scratch?

[Bharat Nain]

Originally Posted by Joohoo

Right now for my team I am the only ""programmer"" so we are using the same code from last year to run the new one, but the computer that held it crashed and our back up is sitting on a college freshmen's desk.

Q. is there anyway to "uncompile" the code directly from the controller? or do i have to start from scratch?

You cannot exactly "uncompile" a code. What you can do is recover what is already in the robot. Check out IFIs website for the software and details.

[Greg Marra]

Originally Posted by Bharat Nain

You cannot exactly "uncompile" a code. What you can do is recover what is already in the robot. Check out IFIs website for the software and details.

"Device Reader (zip, 2-1-2005) for reading and restoring Code in a RC (can not modify the code), instructions included."

Once the code is compiled (which is the state the downloaded code is in), it's stuck that way. There are few ways to decompile it back to the original C code it was compiled from.

I'm afraid you're stuck.

[Joohoo]

Originally Posted by Greg Marra

"Device Reader (zip, 2-1-2005) for reading and restoring Code in a RC (can not modify the code), instructions included."

Once the code is compiled (which is the state the downloaded code is in), it's stuck that way. There are few ways to decompile it back to the original C code it was compiled from.

I'm afraid you're stuck.

thanks i geuss i'll have just rebuild it

[aamodsams]

I just have a quick question. How do you load a program into an old robot controller that does not have the "prog"ram button?

[Mark McLeod]

Originally Posted by aamodsams

I just have a quick question. How do you load a program into an old robot controller that does not have the "prog"ram button?

Sounds like you have a pre-2004 Robot Controller.
Those were programmed in PBasic from Parallax not C and used an entirely different editor/compiler/downloader. It worked without the need for a "program" download button.

Let me find some references for you...

Most of what you need can be found here:
http://www.ifirobotics.com/first-legacy.shtml
under Documentation for 2001 - 2003

The default code with drive capability and the Editor that also downloads the code is available there, as well as documentation that describes what you need to know to get started.
Another useful site is:
http://www.parallax.com
In particular:
http://www.parallax.com/html_pages/...basic_stamp.asp
for the latest Editor
and
http://www.parallax.com/html_pages/...basic_stamp.asp
for in-depth PBasic user guides.

__________________

[aamodsams]

Thank you very much. I will try those links and see what I can get.

[mormannoob]

hi
i need help on getting started on the drive code, i was on the team last but wasn't in charge of drive code and im a little lost on how to design it.Our main programmer and mentors have been busy recently and unable to help me. if some one could give me some help on at least some sort of outline of the code i should be able to figure it out from there i dont need anything crazy just so the robot can move and turn
thanks
confused programmer