1. Robotics Education & Competition Foundation
Programming Basics

2. 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!

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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?

7. 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?

8. Thank you!