Using Javelin for a Computer Programming Class
cmeyer
Posts: 5
Dear Parallax:
My high school department has recently been assigned both Basic and Advanced Computer Programming classes (1/2 year each). While this was 'dropped' on me last year with little warning, I fell back onto my Basic Stamp homework boards (*hey, its a program, right?!?), but it was not the Java language that was expected to be taught.
The students had a great time & were generally excited, but expressed the fact that they wanted Java; PBasic was not to be of direct use to their Computer Science aspirations in college...
I want to continue the line of projects (mostly from WAM 1.9 and 2.0), rather than the typical line of Netbeans projects: Hello World & sorting pocket change etc... This kind of stuff really gets the students motivated. That's why I want to stick with it.
Which leads me the next series of questions:
1. I have a few (3-4) BOEs, the Javelin stamp will mount onto (I mostly use the homework boards). What is the difference between using the BOE and the Javelin project board. That 2nd serial port to 'connect to other serial devices,' what is that for? Could someone provide an example of what such a device would be & justify the cost of these boards? Also, are there any known issues of using the BOEs in this fashion, that the Javelin project board solves?
2. Does the Java language strip any functionality from the Pbasic language? is it better to use pbasic (can you just do more w/ pbasic)? If you had to learn one, wouldn't Java be a better choice? Any plans to make an 'economical homework board' using javelin?
2. I am reviewing the Javelin Stamp Manual 1.0 now. Are there any plans in re-writing the wonderful WAM series for the Javelin? or is that skill going to be second nature after completing JSM 1.0? Any other manuals in the works? Perhaps a Comp Programming manual aimed at the Advanced Placement Computer Science test (http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/ap-computer-science-course-description.pdf) which is where we would like to take this course (someday...)
3. Is this an appropriate setting for a programming class (looking for an evaluation-I think it is, but it's NOT and AP class)? Will students get the programming basics of Java using this product, while building meaningful projects integrating hardware, or is the Java used some 'proprietary hybrid' language that will not transfer?
4. Anyone else out there using Javelin for this type of application? I would love to talk to you.
Thank you in advance. That's alotta questions!
Any help would be appreciated!
Charlie
My high school department has recently been assigned both Basic and Advanced Computer Programming classes (1/2 year each). While this was 'dropped' on me last year with little warning, I fell back onto my Basic Stamp homework boards (*hey, its a program, right?!?), but it was not the Java language that was expected to be taught.
The students had a great time & were generally excited, but expressed the fact that they wanted Java; PBasic was not to be of direct use to their Computer Science aspirations in college...
I want to continue the line of projects (mostly from WAM 1.9 and 2.0), rather than the typical line of Netbeans projects: Hello World & sorting pocket change etc... This kind of stuff really gets the students motivated. That's why I want to stick with it.
Which leads me the next series of questions:
1. I have a few (3-4) BOEs, the Javelin stamp will mount onto (I mostly use the homework boards). What is the difference between using the BOE and the Javelin project board. That 2nd serial port to 'connect to other serial devices,' what is that for? Could someone provide an example of what such a device would be & justify the cost of these boards? Also, are there any known issues of using the BOEs in this fashion, that the Javelin project board solves?
2. Does the Java language strip any functionality from the Pbasic language? is it better to use pbasic (can you just do more w/ pbasic)? If you had to learn one, wouldn't Java be a better choice? Any plans to make an 'economical homework board' using javelin?
2. I am reviewing the Javelin Stamp Manual 1.0 now. Are there any plans in re-writing the wonderful WAM series for the Javelin? or is that skill going to be second nature after completing JSM 1.0? Any other manuals in the works? Perhaps a Comp Programming manual aimed at the Advanced Placement Computer Science test (http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/ap-computer-science-course-description.pdf) which is where we would like to take this course (someday...)
3. Is this an appropriate setting for a programming class (looking for an evaluation-I think it is, but it's NOT and AP class)? Will students get the programming basics of Java using this product, while building meaningful projects integrating hardware, or is the Java used some 'proprietary hybrid' language that will not transfer?
4. Anyone else out there using Javelin for this type of application? I would love to talk to you.
Thank you in advance. That's alotta questions!
Any help would be appreciated!
Charlie
Comments
1.
The 2nd serial port on the Javelin demoboard is the difference. It is there because
the JIDE port is used for programming the javelin and for sending messages to the
IDE message window. It is not suited to send data to a serial device due to meta-data
in the datastream.
A cheap alternative to the Javelin demoboard is a BoE with a TTL-->RS232 converter chip
like MAX232 (4 1uF caps required) or a MAX233 (no caps required) but there are also
little modules that convert TTL to RS232 (check SparkFun).
Most of the accessoires (sensors, servocontrollers, displays etc.) use TTL level interface
so those don't need a RS232 converter.
If you want to communicate with your PC without using the Javelin IDE, you can use
a Parallax USB2SER module.
2.
The javelin has·identical functions for a·lot of·the PBASIC functions although the
timing is slighty different. But the javelin has lots more memory and background tasks.
There is the JavelinBot manual, although a pre-release with a lot of pictures missing,
it is quite informative. THe Robotics text has the pictures but discusses the basic stamp.
Get it here:
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/JavelinCode/files/Javelin%20Stamp%20IDE/lib/JBot/
3.
Yes, you can learn the basics of java, better than using PC java because the
number of classes is limited and there are no graphical classes. The javelin supports
inheritance and classes. There is no interface keyword, but you can use the abstract
keyword to accomplish the same thing.
regards peter
http://www.sipi.edu/acadprog/progstudy/divinstr/ate/roadrunner/
They have lessons for programming the Javelin using a RoadRunner robot.
regards peter
http://www.doc.ic.ac.uk/teaching/projects/Distinguished07/jonathandorling.pdf
regards peter
thanx even more....
http://www.cim.mcgill.ca/~dudek/417/notes/
(last link on page)
regards peter