Coders' Wishlists for 2006

[Dave Flowerday]

Originally Posted by Ryan M.

• Much more organized default code. Sure, you can take the stuff they give you and fix it, but then when they change a few things next year you have to start all over. One easy thing which would be especially nice for newer programmers would be just move all the utility include files into a separate directory. (Leave things that people commonly want to edit in the main area.)
• Stripped down version of the default code. A version of the default code which contained only the essential, basic structure would be handy for the more advanced teams. Continue to have a version with examples, but also make one which gets rid of things like the default mappings of the joysticks to the motors.

I've seen several people make comments about the default code. If you don't like it, why don't you fix it and release it yourself? Nothing is stopping you from stripping it down and posting it, and maybe if you do so there's a chance IFI could pick it up and pass it on. I see no reason why the default code couldn't become a community-maintained thing. IFI could continue to provide their default stuff, but they could easily point people off to anyone else who's done work to enhance the default code.

[Rickertsen2]

At this point, USB is becoming a necessity. When i bought my laptop over the summer, there was not a single computer in the store with a serial port. Requiring the user to buy extra hardware just to acheive baseline functionality from a product is not acceptable. As much as it pains me, i think serial ports are dying. That said, the USB port needs to be IN ADDITION to the serial port. The serial port on the RC is very useful and i have used it for many things othe than just programming and sending data to the computer.

[Ryan M.]

Originally Posted by Dave Flowerday

I've seen several people make comments about the default code. If you don't like it, why don't you fix it and release it yourself? Nothing is stopping you from stripping it down and posting it, and maybe if you do so there's a chance IFI could pick it up and pass it on. I see no reason why the default code couldn't become a community-maintained thing. IFI could continue to provide their default stuff, but they could easily point people off to anyone else who's done work to enhance the default code.

I agree, but as I said, what happens when the add the camera support of last year? The creators know better than anyone what is needed and what is just demostration. If you're not the creator, you have to create your stripped down/reorganized code each year.

Perhaps we could compromise: release the default code a few weeks before kickoff, provided it doesn't reveal the game. Then, people would have time to create "preferable" versions of it.

[ConKbot of Doom]

Ideally they could have a usb/serial setup with a the usb-serial adaptor chipset in the RC, so that you stull have a serial port for other things, or you can use the usb for programming. If it comes with a converter built in that is known to work, it would definitely be nice.

[fowlerm]

Originally Posted by Ryan M.

USB programming capabilities....I realize that the hardware isn't likely to change for a few more years, but is a wishlist.

I think you might just get what you're wishing for. I would look for something similar to the Vex programming 'module' setup where the 'Program' port is a TTL port, and depending on the cable you use you could have USB to TTL or RS232 to TTL.

[Gdeaver]

The VEX programing kit includes a USB to serial cable. Some one should try it with the FRC. If it doesn't work then Newegg has a converter for 20$ that I have yet to find any problems with.