Help for New Programmer

Technical Programming
1

Hi,

This year I’ll be responsible for programming my team’s entry into the competition, but I’m not particularly familiar with PBASIC. Assuming they use PBASIC again, I’m hoping I can look at last year’s program written by a former member, and modify as needed. However, does anyone reccomend any web sites or books on the topic?

Thanks for the help,

Mike, Team 375

On an unrelated note: I was bored today in history and thought of a way to get around the “champs” qualification as an odd numbered team. Hypothetically couldn’t we disband the team, and re-sign up, giving us a 50-50 shot at getting an even number. I realize already I’m going to be laughed @ for the idea.

2

You can get the default code at http://www.innovationfirst.com/FIRSTRobotics/pdfs/DefaultProgram.bsx . With this program, the y-axis of joystick 1 controls pwm 1, the y-axis of joystick 2 controls pwm 2, etc. If you want some variations on the code goto http://www.innovationfirst.com/FIRSTRobotics/white_papers.htm . The compiler comes in the kit each year if you don’t have it already or you can download it at http://www.parallaxinc.com/html_files/downloads/downloads_software.htm .

3

The Parallax manual is a good reference. It should have come with your robot, but there is an online version as well.

Someone compiled a few programs used by the teams into a “FIRST Codex”. I don’t remember the link right now, but I’m sure someone else has it handy.

4

Here is the URL for for the codex: http://ri.gsgis.k12.va.us/Codex/index.htm

I can’t get to it, but my internet connection has been really flakey lately, so the problem may be on my side and not their side.

Do you have any programming experience in other languages?

I have more to say, but I just realized that I need to leave in 6 minutes, and have 20 minutes worth of stuff to do :o