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Subject: 
Re: Robotics beginner question
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.robotics
Date: 
Fri, 23 Mar 2001 02:28:13 GMT
Original-From: 
Steve Baker <sjbaker1@airmail+StopSpam+.net>
Reply-To: 
sjbaker1@airmail./stopspam/net
Viewed: 
645 times
  
Adam Murtha wrote:

So you can choose what language you want to use?  For example, could you use
a C++ programing program like MS Visual C++, and transfer it to the RCX?  Or
is there specific software that comes with it?

Well, if you want to keep the Lego 'firmware', you are pretty much stuck
with 'NQC' (Not Quite C) which is a small C subset that generates the
same kind of special bytecode as Lego's own graphical programming language.
This is a relatively simple way to learn the RCX and write simple programs
to drive your robots.

For the more advanced user, you can replace the Lego's bytecode interpreter
firmware with a package called 'LegOS' - which is a fairly complete realtime
operating system that allows you to run native machine code instead of bytecode.

With LegOS, you use the GNU cross-compilers (same as used by Linux and BSD) to
generate machine code - which you download into the RCX for execution.

I *believe* that C++ is now supported by LegOS.

HOWEVER, your ability to port MSVC++ code onto the RCX is limited by the
functionality of LegOS....obviously there are a bunch of Microsoft functions
that are NOT supported by LegOS...and vice-versa.

Obviously programs that run under LegOS are *MUCH* faster than NQC because
you don't have the overhead of the Lego bytecode interpreter.  OTOH, NQC
is
a VERY easy way to get started...especially at the outset when you are probably
learning all the painful beginners robotic construction lessons!

--
Steve Baker   HomeEmail: <sjbaker1@airmail.net>
              WorkEmail: <sjbaker@link.com>
              HomePage : http://web2.airmail.net/sjbaker1
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Message has 1 Reply:
  Re: Robotics beginner question
 
(...) It Is ;) .... witha couple of odd problems like the lack of delete[] and new operator, but they can be fairly easily overcame - Ciaran (23 years ago, 23-Mar-01, to lugnet.robotics)

Message is in Reply To:
  Re: Robotics beginner question
 
So you can choose what language you want to use? For example, could you use a C++ programing program like MS Visual C++, and transfer it to the RCX? Or is there specific software that comes with it? -Adam (...) (23 years ago, 23-Mar-01, to lugnet.robotics)

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