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Please pardon if this is an oft-discussed issue... like anything dealing with
programming languages, its probably a hot-button for some folks, but here goes.
Ive tried both RoboLab and RIS for a while, and I found RIS to be much easier
to use. RoboLab seems to require a lot more busy work (like the wiring
notion and use of separate modifier objects) to get things done.
Ive gotten the idea that RoboLab has capabilities that RIS doesnt, making it
more suitable for serious teams. However, Im wondering if that idea might be
a holdover from pre-2.0 versions of RIS, which apparently didnt have variables
or branching (surely a serious limitation).
If there are real limitations to RIS that are going to constrain my kids in the
future, we can bite the bullet and try to get comfy with RoboLab. Before I go
down that path, though, Id like to know what are the *specific* things that you
can do with RoboLab that you cant with RIS 2.0? The handbook over at
fll-freak.com only says
RIS is not as capable as RoboLab. Some features of the RCX are
simply not available.
So my question is... like what? Anybody used both of these? In particular, has
anybody switched from RIS to RoboLab because they ran into a wall with RIS that
they couldnt overcome? Conversely, are there specific features of RIS 2.0 that
RoboLab cant match (like My Big Blocks, for example)?
Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer!
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In lugnet.robotics, Jeff Garbers wrote:
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Please pardon if this is an oft-discussed issue... like anything dealing with
programming languages, its probably a hot-button for some folks, but here
goes.
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It certainly is ;-) I made the same mistake about a year ago, but everyones
gotta do it once...
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Before
I go down that path, though, Id like to know what are the *specific* things
that you can do with RoboLab that you cant with RIS 2.0?
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See below
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Anybody used both of these?
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Indeed, I have.
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In particular, has anybody switched from RIS to RoboLab because they ran
into a wall with RIS that they couldnt overcome? Conversely, are there
specific features of RIS 2.0 that RoboLab cant match (like My Big
Blocks, for example)?
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Yes, switched. No, every function Ive used, ever, has been easier to use/more
powerful in ROBOLAB than in RIS.
List of capabilities that Ive used:
-)subroutines/subVIs--MyBlocks pretend to be, but are not as easy to use or as
customizable
-)modifiers--by attaching the various arguments to functions outside of the
functions (something you complained about), the ability to
rapidly change values is significantly improved. (RIS requires
you to pass through a wizard to change values)
-)task splits--an almost unanswered (in RIS) function from ROBOLAB, allowing you
to, say, change sounds while driving, or raise a forklift as you turn.
-)flowchart design--another thing you complained about, I find far more useful
to debug than the stacks of RIS, because I can drag segments around
to show the logical progression of the code
-)printing--RIS does not allow the printing of code, ROBOLAB does, good for
impressing FLL judges and the fellows at school.
-)Investigator--unanswered by RIS, allows gathering of data from any sensors or
variables, charting of said data, and simple
manipulation thereof. Good for matching motors,
charting room data, and other data-logging tasks.
-)internet control/programming--I run a small, ethernet-based program at a local
elementary school that allows the students to directly control the
robot in another room from their computers. Can be applied to the
Web, too, for webcam bots and such.
-)support for home-brew sensors--RIS has no provisions for home-brew sensors,
ROBOLAB does. I use my own ultrasonic-rangefinder, and this is
important. I dont wanna use the percentage levels of a light sensor,
I wanna read the 0-1024 range of the port.
-)ULTIMATE ROBOLAB--by far, hands-down, the most important thing Ive used.
This is a bit of software (lot of software?) available from Tufts for
free that, in essence, takes ROBOLAB down nearly to the H8 level.
Good for anyone who wants to do anything with the RCX. NOT
FLL-LEGAL
This is all I can think of at the moment. Good luck!
Andrew Meyer
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