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The Propeller Q&A System Online! — Parallax Forums

The Propeller Q&A System Online!

Maddie the InternMaddie the Intern Posts: 81
edited 2014-05-25 00:17 in Propeller 1
Hello everyone!

Parallax is proud to announce the launch of the Propeller Q&A system- it's an online reference that answers fundamental questions about the Propeller and answers those questions in detail!

The system will periodically be updated to include more and more questions and their answers.

Check it out here: http://www.parallax.com/Propeller/QnA
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Comments

  • WhitWhit Posts: 4,191
    edited 2010-09-03 14:28
    Very cool! I just saw this on the Parallax Home Page! Can't wait to play with it.
  • DaveJensonDaveJenson Posts: 375
    edited 2010-09-03 15:05
    Very nice. Very complete. Very timely.
  • Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) Posts: 23,514
    edited 2010-09-03 15:14
    I had trouble getting the page to load (Opera 9.x under OS/X Tiger). It took several reloads before the entire page displayed. When it finally did, the links in the left-hand column didn't do anything. The links in the main body seem to work okay, though. Now the contents of the left-hand column have completely disappeared.

    -Phil
  • Ding-BattyDing-Batty Posts: 302
    edited 2010-09-03 17:27
    Well, I don't (yet) know why, but I can see the Q&A page only if I turn off my proxy filter (Proxomitron). I don't have that problem on any other www.parallax.com pages...
  • txmarshtxmarsh Posts: 58
    edited 2010-09-03 18:22
    Nice... very much appreciated!
  • electrosyselectrosys Posts: 212
    edited 2010-09-04 04:40
    Very nice work indeed.

    @Phil
    I had also trouble getting the page to load (Windows XP, Internet Explorer ), I had to do several reloads before I could load the page!
  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2010-09-04 05:47
    Hi, Propeller Q&A looks like it could be very useful and I wouldn't have to ask so many tedious questions, but I can't quite read it all.

    Please see attached screen shot. I am using Firefox in Ubuntu Linux. This may be a missing font of some sort.
    Messy Q&A.jpg
    800 x 305 - 46K
  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2010-09-04 08:38
    Hmmmm....
    Everything is cleared up now and working - in Firefox -- in Ubuntu....

    This is very helpful indeed as there is clearer information that in the early documentation.
  • potatoheadpotatohead Posts: 10,261
    edited 2010-09-04 17:12
    This makes me think of a IRC bot. A user here had one, and we were populating it for a while. I kind of stepped away. No particular reason, just did.

    IMHO, running something like that through a simple web interface would flat out rock! The way the IRC was used was one just had a window open. If something was needed, ask the bot. If something was discovered, tell the bot.

    Over time, bots become very, very useful in this way.
  • HumanoidoHumanoido Posts: 5,770
    edited 2010-09-06 06:29
    This is totally fantastic. I just discovered this post.
    I hope it can answer all my Spin questions..
    So far, it's doing a very good job!
    Thank you very much Parallax!

    Humanoido
  • Ron CzapalaRon Czapala Posts: 2,418
    edited 2010-09-06 13:52
    Maddie,

    I believe that one of the Q&A items needs to be qualified.

    Under "Variables" section the question "How are symbols in a DAT block related to the object itself and multiple instances of that object?" that answer states:

    "Everything in an object's DAT blocks is available to the object and every instance of that object. DAT-based symbols behave like global variables except that there is only one instance of them; every instance of an object uses the same instance of DAT symbols. This means that if an instance of an object changes the value in a DAT symbol, that value changes for all other instances of that object as well."

    I beleive this is only true for SPIN objects, not PASM. In fact, the next question gives a more detailed answer and distinguishes the difference.

    Correct??
  • Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) Posts: 23,514
    edited 2010-09-06 14:21
    Ron,

    The language in the Q&A is accurate. BTW, there's no such thing as a PASM object. All objects are Spin objects, although some may also contain and start PASM cogs. The DAT data that's changed within a PASM cog does not get changed in the hub, unless it's written back with WRBYTE, WRWORD, or WRLONG. And if it is written back, it will affect all the objects that reference that DAT block.

    -Phil
  • Ron CzapalaRon Czapala Posts: 2,418
    edited 2010-09-06 15:02
    Phil,
    I should have cogs running PASM vs SPIN rather that "objects"

    The question answer for How are symbols in the DAT block treated in relation to Spin and Propeller Assembly? says in part:

    When a cog is launched with assembly code, any DAT symbols within 496 longs after the launch point are copied into Cog RAM. Unlike with Spin code, Propeller Assembly code that references those symbols is not accessing the corresponding location and data in Main RAM, but rather it is accessing the corresponding Cog RAM instead; its local copy.

    If there were multiple cogs running the same method (in the same object), the DAT symbols are referencing cog memory not the main memory.
    If one cog changed a symbol's value it would not affect the corresponding symbol's value in the other cogs right?

    EDIT: I've read these several times and it is making more sense. Objects vs. cogs...
  • kuronekokuroneko Posts: 3,623
    edited 2010-09-07 17:28
    What's the response time we can expect after filing a complaint/suggestion/question? Or rather what's the chain of events?
  • Steph LindsaySteph Lindsay Posts: 767
    edited 2010-09-08 15:05
    Hello Kuroneko,

    I will be checking this thread regularly, and I am also one of the recipients of email sent to PropellerHelp@parallax.com.

    The Q&A system is designed to give an overview of the Propeller chip. The emphasis is to help a person new to the Propeller chip’s multi-core architecture understand how it works, and answer the most commonly-raised questions that newcomers have.

    If we receive a question that fits in with this objective, we will likely try to give you a personal answer quickly if we can (or research it if we don't know the answer). Then, we would develop the original question and perhaps some related questions into additions for the next release of the Propeller Q&A, as time permits. We hope to be able to add material every few weeks or so until all the basics are covered. (We actually have several sections in the works now.)

    If the question does not fit into the purpose of the Propeller Q&A (for example, a question specific to a project or application, or a particular in-context use of a language element) we will likely forward it to Tech Support so you can receive individual assistance.

    If you need an answer very quickly, your best bet is to call our Tech Support or start a thread in the Propeller forum.

    Minor typographic errors in the Q&A will be noted and accumulated for correction on the next release.

    Suggestions for Parallax that are not specific to this Propeller Q&A should be posted to the “Suggestions to Parallax” forum.

    I hope this answers your question!

    -Steph
  • kuronekokuroneko Posts: 3,623
    edited 2010-09-08 19:15
    Steph Lindsay (Parallax) wrote: »
    We hope to be able to add material every few weeks or so until all the basics are covered.

    OK, I'll wait for the first update and see if my email was considered :) Thanks!
  • Steph LindsaySteph Lindsay Posts: 767
    edited 2010-09-09 09:57
    kuroneko wrote: »
    OK, I'll wait for the first update and see if my email was considered :) Thanks!

    Kuroneko, I don't think I received your email! could you please send me a PM?

    -Stephanie
  • SapiehaSapieha Posts: 2,964
    edited 2010-09-10 05:03
    Steph Lindsay (Parallax) wrote: »
    Hello Kuroneko,

    I will be checking this thread regularly, and I am also one of the recipients of email sent to PropellerHelp@parallax.com.

    The Q&A system is designed to give an overview of the Propeller chip. The emphasis is to help a person new to the Propeller chip’s multi-core architecture understand how it works, and answer the most commonly-raised questions that newcomers have.

    If we receive a question that fits in with this objective, we will likely try to give you a personal answer quickly if we can (or research it if we don't know the answer). Then, we would develop the original question and perhaps some related questions into additions for the next release of the Propeller Q&A, as time permits. We hope to be able to add material every few weeks or so until all the basics are covered. (We actually have several sections in the works now.)

    If the question does not fit into the purpose of the Propeller Q&A (for example, a question specific to a project or application, or a particular in-context use of a language element) we will likely forward it to Tech Support so you can receive individual assistance.

    If you need an answer very quickly, your best bet is to call our Tech Support or start a thread in the Propeller forum.

    Minor typographic errors in the Q&A will be noted and accumulated for correction on the next release.

    Suggestions for Parallax that are not specific to this Propeller Q&A should be posted to the “Suggestions to Parallax” forum.

    I hope this answers your question!

    -Steph

    Hi Steph Lindsay (Parallax)

    Many answers to Q&A are already diskused on some threads.
    It can be very nice if You find them and give in Q&A posts even LINKS to that threads for people that need find theirs ANSWER's to Programing/Hardware problems.
  • yarisboyyarisboy Posts: 245
    edited 2010-09-11 19:37
    Is there an expanded explanation anywhere about the most common compiler error messages? My global memory errors trigger messages like "expected unique variable name" Hu? Do I have to declare all objects used in just the top file or all files? When do I need to use the pipe after my pub statement. When do I not need to. Passing variable values in the PE lab exercises works perfectly. Try to mimic the conventions and I learn there are a lot more memory rules and conventions than meet the eye. One would think that a Global variable declaration in the VAR section would be simple. If its declared in the Var section does that mean I don't need to list them in another PUB after the pipe?
  • Steph LindsaySteph Lindsay Posts: 767
    edited 2010-09-13 11:32
    All good questions, Yarisboy. I'll bring these to the attention of the Q&A author.
  • jazzedjazzed Posts: 11,803
    edited 2010-10-03 11:08
    The "side bar" search works great! :)

    I'm glad the Propeller forum finally has a FAQ. Some people will actually use it.

    Steph, Is it possible to add the Propeller Manual and Datasheet to the Q&A?

    Thanks!
  • Steph LindsaySteph Lindsay Posts: 767
    edited 2010-10-04 12:44
    Hi Jazzed,

    Hey! I'm glad you are finding it useful!

    The best I could do immediately would be simple links to open those PDFs, which of course are searchable in that format even though it would not be a context-sensitive setup. Would that be useful?

    In the future, the remaining Propeller Manual content (the Spin and Propeller reference sections) will be incorporated into the Propeller Tool Help, along with the Q&A (with lots of additional content). That way we can link from Q&A answers to the relevant in-depth information, and vice-versa.

    We originally envisioned only the Q&A portion to be Web-resident, but we can re-think that when the time comes!

    Thanks much,
    -Steph
  • SapiehaSapieha Posts: 2,964
    edited 2010-10-04 14:46
    Hi Steph Lindsay (Parallax).

    Even If I know much on electronics's I do like that pages Both for me and If I need refer to information on PROPELLER to some of my friends that experiments with it.

    In my opinion --- All info You find that are usable PDF, SCH's and all type of Forum threads that describe already some problems are usable as links to them.
    No need for PDF's to be context sensitive.
    Steph Lindsay (Parallax) wrote: »
    Hi Jazzed,

    Hey! I'm glad you are finding it useful!

    The best I could do immediately would be simple links to open those PDFs, which of course are searchable in that format even though it would not be a context-sensitive setup. Would that be useful?

    In the future, the remaining Propeller Manual content (the Spin and Propeller reference sections) will be incorporated into the Propeller Tool Help, along with the Q&A (with lots of additional content). That way we can link from Q&A answers to the relevant in-depth information, and vice-versa.

    We originally envisioned only the Q&A portion to be Web-resident, but we can re-think that when the time comes!

    Thanks much,
    -Steph
  • jazzedjazzed Posts: 11,803
    edited 2010-10-04 15:07
    Hi Steph.

    Having everything in one place would be good for me. Ease of use adds value. Linking to the PDFs is a good short term solution.

    I constantly use BST or some other tool variation and being able to just browse to an HTML manual and/or data-sheet would be sweet. Personally I don't like having to start Acrobat because it is so slow on my computer and multiple instances of Acrobat always eventually cause a crash here in my office on any OS.

    I'm reminded of an old manager who used ask the same question about every purchase req: "Is it necessary or nice?" The value of such things are subjective. It's fine if the manual and/or data sheet is only available in Acrobat.

    Cheers to you, Andy, and all the Parallax family.
    --Steve
  • Steph LindsaySteph Lindsay Posts: 767
    edited 2010-10-05 10:50
    Thanks for your input, Jazzed and Sapieha!

    I'll link in the manual and datasheet PDFs on the next minor Q&A update. And, I will just plan on building the expanded Help in such a way that most of it can also be made available to the web.

    I hesitate to add links to forum threads in the Q&A extensively, other than sticky-thread indexes, due to maintenance issues. Sapieha, if you have particular threads in mind, could you point them out to me? That will let me know what questions, and code technique articles, we need to add to the Q& A in the future, or where to make an exception to the rule.

    -Steph
  • Steph LindsaySteph Lindsay Posts: 767
    edited 2010-10-22 11:28
    Thanks wastehl! I'm glad you are finding it useful. Please feel free to send us feedback via the email on the Welcome page.

    I've received lots of great suggestions that we will be incorporating into future releases. I've a list of books to publish before I can get back to this project, but I'm looking forward to it, so please don't hesitate to keep the ideas coming and thanks in advance for your patience!

    -Steph
  • KaosKiddKaosKidd Posts: 296
    edited 2010-10-27 11:25
    Well Steph;
    I've read the entire Q&A system; twice now, and I have but one comment!

    EXCELLENT RESOURCE! Awesome job. In fact, it's the first time I read Chip's comment on "why the propeller works" article. Awesome!

    Any way, must thought I'd leave my 2 cents (maybe should be quarters due to inflation and or any politicians in the area) work to praise... awesome job for you and everyone who worked on it..

    Fred
  • Steph LindsaySteph Lindsay Posts: 767
    edited 2010-10-27 20:15
    KaosKidd wrote: »
    Well Steph;
    ... awesome job for you and everyone who worked on it..

    Fred

    Why thank you so much for the kind words, Fred! I will make sure all the many folks who made this happen see your message.

    -Steph
  • gwkaubgwkaub Posts: 10
    edited 2014-05-23 10:44
    When I ask about minimized current draw I get part of main menu back.
    None of the main topics answer about minimizing current that I can find.
    Help!
  • Steph LindsaySteph Lindsay Posts: 767
    edited 2014-05-23 11:31
    gwkaub wrote: »
    When I ask about minimized current draw I get part of main menu back.
    None of the main topics answer about minimizing current that I can find.
    Help!

    Perhaps the specific information you need is in the Propeller Datasheet? The PDF is here:

    http://www.parallax.com/downloads/p8x32a-propeller-datasheet
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