pic: kiwi vex robot

[billbo911]

Originally Posted by jgarbers

If I may ask - are you using the "Student Version" of the C18 compiler with MPLAB? If not, what compiler are you using? I'm trying to figure out what's appropriate to buy above and beyond what comes with the stock Vex Programming Kit... I've already bought the easyC v2 upgrade, but I'd like to be able to just edit source code.

Thanks!

Excellent question.
I am one of the more impatient people in this world. I couldn't wait for the programming kit to be released through Radio Shack. So, when I found out that there was a possibility to purchase a prototype programming module directly from IFI , I jumped at it. It came with the cables, circuit board (unhoused) and a C-BOT CD which included MPLAB 7.0, C18 and IFI loader. These are all licensed to me and not part of my FRC teams programs. I have since then upgraded all three applications to the most current versions that work with FRC, and they still work with Vex. This allows me to use my laptop with the team to help them in programming and fiddle around with my Vex system as well.
I added EasyC when I bought the kit on sale, then later purchased the 2.0 upgrade. Now I can program in either environment. Honestly, I really like EasyC, it is amazingly powerful for a module based programming environment and is extremely easy to teach noobs the basics of robot programming. I can quite literally have a complete novice programming a Vex bot to work autonomously in less that ten minutes. On the other hand, MPLAB offers a lot more flexibility and advanced programming ability. I am not versed well enough in C to use MPLAB exclusively, but I have to admit, I can do some things in MPLAB much faster than I can with EasyC.
So, what do I recommend? Definitely keep EasyC. Only add MPLAB/C18/IFI Loader when you have mastered the use of EasyC and started running into limitations that require you to program directly in C. I know others will have different opinions, and listen to what they say as well. I base mine on my experience and knowledge level in programming. Weigh others opinions on their experience and ability as well. That will give you the truest measure of "What you should do".

[jgarbers]

Originally Posted by billbo911

Excellent question...

Thanks so much for your amazingly useful reply! Robot folks are good folks, I think.

I suspect it's possible to compile and download "manually-edited" C code using everything that comes with easyC -- it seems to be running an external compiler during its build step -- but I have a little more experimenting to do. I've been coding for over 25 years and the drag-the-block approach seems to get in my way, although my kids seem quite comfortable with it. Maybe they'll just use easyC the way it's intended and I can try messing around under the hood in my "copious free time".... then I'll figure out if I can justify MPLAB (which looks very nice, by the way... the free IDE is quite the "gateway drug" for the rest of the product line).