Robotics Education & Competition Foundation Programming Basics

What is Programming? What is Software? What is RobotC? A simple set of directions that perform a action that can be repeated. What is Software? Organized information in the form of operating systems, utilities, programs, and applications that enable computers to work What is RobotC? A Software program that allows the creator to make directions for a device made up of motors and sensors – In our case a Robot!

How to get started with Programming Define what the task is in simple broad terms. Break the task down into individual steps. Example: Human Maze Sample human program Make a Simple Flow Chart. Robot Make a Motor chart and label all motors ( 1,2,3 Basic Motor Wiring chart – Claw Bot Motor # Motor Motor function/location PWM or Port Rotation/Special Controller location   1 393 Chassis Movement - Right Front PWM 1 Clockwise/ +127 2 Chassis Movement – Left front PWM 10 Anti-Clockwise/ -127 3 Shoulder Lift up PWM 7 5U Shoulder Lift Down 5D 4 Claw open PWM 6 6U Claw Closed 6D

Introduction to RobotC – Getting around Open RobotC Select VEX Cortex Video Trainer Using RobotC (right side) Intro Natural Language Setup Movement More Menu Bar Config – Robot Help New Behaviors – create flow Save / Save as Compile / download

Creating your first Program Start with a Plan – Create a simple flow Chart” . “What do you want to do” Step 2. Check your configurations: Platform, B. VEX Cortex Communication Mode C. Target Step 3. Plug in Cortex Step 4. Download Firmware – This is NOT VEX Firmware this is RobotC firmware Do Not Use Firmware in title bar. Step 5. Open “File NEW” Step 6. “Save as before you start actual code” Step 7. Use repeat as your bracket the add behaviors Lost – no Problem

Learn by example: File – Open Sample program “Forwards for time” Explore the other samples. Apply what you have learned to your Flow chart of what you want the robot to do. Got a claw bot??? Go to motor and sensors, 1st tab Standard model – what did you see?

Tips for success Can you / do you? Know if your software is up to date? Know where the license Information is located? Change between VEX IQ and EDR? Change between Teleop and Autonomus? Graphical or Natural Language or RobotC? Upload firmware from RobotC to your Cortex/Brain/Controller? When it is necessary to cycle the Brain/Cortex (when sensors are added)? Where to set up motors and devices? How to set up/create /save as a new file? Where the “Help” file is? Example Graphical Blocks? Difference between 100% power and 127 PWM Control? Appropriate use? Care and operation of batteries ( not really programming but important)? Where are there Video resources to point students to? Updating VEX IQ Firmware (VEX Software) Updating VEX EDR ( VEX Software) Difference between RobotC firmware and VEX Firmware?

Thank you!