Teaching "C" to 2006 students??

[703pascal]

One thing I've noticed is that most people with very little programming experience tend to know a simple language such as BASIC. I propose that we also make a Pseudo-code to C translator of some type. This won't work for everything of course, but for someone who isn't exactly comfortable with C syntax, they'd just have to type out the logic and have it translated for them. Oh, and also, this is my first year w/ FIRST (I'm currently a junior in High School) and I haven't spent much time on the forums, but I intend to a little more next season. I wouldn't mind helping out with this project because I'm going that have to train a bunch of people to program next year anyway. Good effort, keep up the good work.

[Ryan M.]

Originally Posted by 703pascal

One thing I've noticed is that most people with very little programming experience tend to know a simple language such as BASIC. I propose that we also make a Pseudo-code to C translator of some type. This won't work for everything of course, but for someone who isn't exactly comfortable with C syntax, they'd just have to type out the logic and have it translated for them. Oh, and also, this is my first year w/ FIRST (I'm currently a junior in High School) and I haven't spent much time on the forums, but I intend to a little more next season. I wouldn't mind helping out with this project because I'm going that have to train a bunch of people to program next year anyway. Good effort, keep up the good work.

Hm... interesting idea. This could be a very cool tool, even for those of us "experienced" in C. I've currently got a few other projects going on, but this is definitely going on my summer list...

[JP_1163]

Mentor has no computer programming experience.
Program has very limited budget.
Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
Let us know how we can participate and/or work with team programmers who are willing to offer support.

Thanks
Team 1163

[Jon236]

Originally Posted by BradAMiller

We use the Robovation kits for teaching C and autonomous robot programming. The programming environment is identical to the the FRC controller (with a few minor exceptions). We've used it to prototype algorithms and then just move the code to the FRC robot. For example we have a "baby" four wheel omni-drive system with made from a Robovation kit running the same code as our full-sized robot. We did the small version as a proof of concept and it worked great.

Now for a shameless plug for some other stuff that we're doing...

To make programming easier I developed a framework that lets you quickly write complex autonomous programs with inexpensive "hobby-robotics" sensors. All "user" code is (usually) in a single file and "device drivers" can be installed that request services from the framework like timers and interrupts. I also removed the concept of the fast-code/slow code, and explicit getdata and putdata.

We used it with several Robovation tournaments and classes run at WPI with hundreds with students and it works great. I'm giving a presentation about the framework at the conference in Atlanta on Saturday and probably putting up the code on line somewhere right after that. (need to make sure it's cleaned up for release).

I'm hoping to port the code to the FRC and VEX controllers before next season.

Incidentally, we're running a two week summer high school robotics resident program at WPI. Students learn C programming and mechanical design on the VEX and FRC robots that ends in a VEX tournament between student teams with robots that they build. If you might be interested, here's the link (look at the bottom of the page):

http://www.admissions.wpi.edu/Frontiers/study.html

Brad

We are developing a VHS (Virtual High School) course on C programming for Robotic control. We plan to use the VEX as a teaching tool. We are interested in both:

a) contributors to this effort (and from the responses on this thread, I can tell that there are loads of qualified contributors!); and
b) those schools who will use this to help teach students about C and robotic control

Jon Mittelman
Programming Mentor
Team 236

[Tazlikesrobots]

I would welcome the idea, considering some teams do not have resources with knowledge of C. I love the idea of some sort of autonomy during the competition, but I think it has created a programming gap among teams. Any tool that can help bridge that gap will be well received by anyone.

My dream is to see a tool similar to the Lego Mind storms RCX, where the students create a basic program using a flow chart like layout and have the code generated in the background. Then the student can look at the code and get an idea on how it all fits together.

[cbolin]

Hi,
I am encouraged to write this program now. Time permitting, I'll start putting it together in stages.

With regards,
ChuckB

[JamesBrown]

Well I have been thinking about the same kind of thing. I just taught my self to program this past summer. However I will graduate after next season and since none of the other students or mentors have even looked at the code I have been given the task to teach some one every thing that i know ( which is just enough to make the bot drive and to do dead reckoning) However I will attend all of the programming conferences this year and hope to learn something. If any one is interested in meeting to discuss this topic let me know and maybe we can organize something even if it is dinner at Mc Donalds one night

[Avarik]

I suggest letting the programmers loose on an old robot, if one is available. Have them start with modifying things, and then move to writing their own code.

Edubots are a good alternative, but there are major differences between that and the FRC - so only use it if you dont have anything else.

[billbo911]

Originally Posted by cbolin

Hi,
I am encouraged to write this program now. Time permitting, I'll start putting it together in stages.
ChuckB

WOW!!!
Chuck, where do I begin??

First with me. 2005 is my rookie season. I am one of our teams mentors and their Engineer. Until this year, I have had ZERO programming experience. Consequently, we had no autonomous mode this year, but with a little help from another local team at the Sac. Regional, we were able to get a minor modification to the code completed in time to compete.

Sense that time, I have poured of the FRC code, read the 2004 programmers guide and read "Absolute Beginners Guide to C" by SAMS.

Now I "feel" comfortable enough to start working with C, and teaching our students. As you might guess, I could use any and all the tools mentioned in this thread. I have come up with several ideas, written a few mods, but have yet had a chance to test them. This environment, and the others mentioned, could be the key to our teams (and countless others) future success.

My goal is not to do the programming for this team, but to kick start some young minds and help them see what they are capable of achieving.

If there is any input I can add, help I can provide or just encouragement, please let me know! I think this is awesome!

[Element97x]

Originally Posted by cbolin

I would like software that allows the student to write legal autonomous "C" code and to test it with a 'virtual robot'. The program would be friendly to the newbie programmer and not intimidating. I want them to be able to open and run sample programs as well as writing and saving their own examples. They could take this home. It would include a "C" programming tutorial and "Autonomous" tutorial so they could self-study. Further, it would be cool if this program could be made available to all teams for free that needed it.

ChuckB

I tried the robotEMU2 and its good if you know about how the pmw's work, because i know how to c program but not for the first program robots so if there was like an acual picture of a robot or something you could test out and watch or control almost like a video game that would be great! because after I learn how to program Id even use it to practice over the summer.