Graphical Programming Languages Lecture 19: Supporting Material Dr Kathryn Merrick Thursday 21 st May, 2009

Overview Graphical programming languages: Variables, types, values, operators Flow of control Built-in functions Strengths and limitations

Lego Mindstorms NXT: Programmable Robots Programmable Brick

The NXT Programming Environment The programming window

Built-in Functions ‘Move’ functions connected up like Lego bricks Input parameters set here

Loops Loop connected up like a Lego brick Exit condition (can behave like a for loop or a while loop) Instructions to be repeated will be dragged into here

Selection Selection connected up like a Lego brick Conditions set here What to do will be dragged into here

A Complete Program

Demo 1: Programming a Lego scorpion

Variables Variable brick

Maths Operators Maths operator brick

Boolean Operators Boolean operator brick

Complete Program

Demo 2: Programming a Lego scorpion

Summary After today’s lecture you should be able to: Identify the key programming tools we used in MATLAB in the NXT graphical language Appreciate the strengths and weaknesses of graphical languages