Subject:
|
Re: Various Basic Issues
|
Newsgroups:
|
lugnet.robotics.handyboard
|
Date:
|
Tue, 28 Jul 1998 14:44:54 GMT
|
Original-From:
|
Dan White <dwhite@cybermetrix.NOSPAMcom>
|
Reply-To:
|
DWHITE@spamcakeCYBERMETRIX.COM
|
Viewed:
|
1202 times
|
| |
|
|
Mr. Carmack wrote:
>
> Howdy from Texas.
>
> I have set myself the goal of making a robot with the handyboard --
> just for the learning of it. Until 2 days ago I had zero knowledge of
> electronics, although I am teaching myself using some kits and books.
>
> I also do not know C language, although I have taken FORTRAN and COBOL
> in the dark ages of my days as an unsuccessful computer science
> undergrad. So, if you will pardon my ignorance and my background (I
> have an MA in Applied Linguistics) and accept my enthusiasm and
> motivation as a ransom, could y'all answer the following inquiries.
> Know that I have read the 6.270 handbook and also most of the
> handyboard tech reference, and also Art of Lego.
>
> (1) When you say IC is a subset of C, do you mean C or C++ ? I
> imagine I will have to teach myself C, but was confused at the store
> that most books were for C++.
>
> (2) What do =I= need to program with IC on my PC (Pentium 233 or so)?
> I imagine I would need UNIX? Would the line editor for IC work on my
> PC as well as MITY Athena, whatever that is?
>
> (3) I was going to ask if anyone had a "cheat sheet" for the resistor
> color bands, but I found an excellent one on the web, thank goodness.
> :-)
>
> I think the IC would be the hardest to tackle, and so it may be better
> for me to not even try it, but stick to a simpler language, esp. as I
> have not had a math class in 15 yrs, although that was Calc II.
>
> Any comments anybody wants to throw at me? I appreciate the feedback
> about Fischertechnic and I gobbled up 3 big sets (1400 pieces) for
> half price this weekend.
>
> Joseph A Carmack
> age36
> father of 3
> Pflugerville, Texas
> bookseller, Lego maniac
Joseph,
I am new to the handyboard myself but as a professional software
engineer, I can give you some pointers on the software issues.
When they say that IC is a subset of C they mean that there are certain
ANSI C features that will not be found in IC. There is NO C++ in IC
(Thank Goodness). Do not get a book with C++ unless you really want to
be frustrated. C is a wonderfully powerful and terse language and you
don't want or need C++ for simple robotics.
I would recommend "C for Dummies" from the ...for Dummies series from
IDG publishing. Keep in mind that this will be written for writing
programs for a PC and spends a lot of time on printing messages to the
screen but the information you will need is in there.
Regarding your comment about a "simpler language":
Most "simpler languages" do not make effiecient code which means that
you may save time in development but the program won't run fast enough
or will chew up all of your memory. I personally don't think that basic
is easier than C once you understand the workings. But then I grew up on
assemblers!
I don't have my handyboard yet so I can't help with the mechanics but
you shouldn't need unix.
-Dan
--
/***********************************************************
* Dan White - National Instruments Certified Instructor *
* CyberMetrix,Inc. - National Instruments Alliance Member *
* <http://www.cybermetrix.com/ni> *
* dwhite@cybermetrix.com *
***********************************************************/
|
|
Message is in Reply To:
 | | Various Basic Issues
|
| Howdy from Texas. I have set myself the goal of making a robot with the handyboard -- just for the learning of it. Until 2 days ago I had zero knowledge of electronics, although I am teaching myself using some kits and books. I also do not know C (...) (26 years ago, 27-Jul-98, to lugnet.robotics.handyboard)
|
2 Messages in This Thread:
 
- Entire Thread on One Page:
- Nested:
All | Brief | Compact | Dots
Linear:
All | Brief | Compact
|
|
|
|
