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12Blocks

amveronisamveronis Posts: 21
edited 2011-07-13 01:39 in Propeller 1
I have been playing with 12Blocks, and it is a rather fascinating language in that it can be used to teach youngsters and novices programming in a fairly easy manner. The added benefit is that 12Blocks can be used with a number of processors, including the Prop.

On the negative side, 12Blocks lacks documentation. Someone has done a YuTube presentation of the language, albeit in a rather poor manner. I have started writing a detailed workbook about 12Blocks, and the developer of the language promised to help me. I will let you know as soon as the workbook is complete.

I strongly recommend you try the trial version (www.12Blocks.com). I am confident you will be pleased, Currently I use 12Blocks with a couple of PICAXE processors and the Parallax Demo board.

Andrew

Comments

  • jeff-ojeff-o Posts: 181
    edited 2011-07-03 18:23
    Yep, there are bits of knowledge here and there, but there is not a full, detailed workbook. In addition to the resources you'll find here and at the 12blocks website, there are a few Instructables on using 12blocks over at Instructables.com. Good luck, and if you have any questions be sure to ask here or on the 12blocks forums!
  • amveronisamveronis Posts: 21
    edited 2011-07-03 19:44
    I stand somewhat corrected. It was pointed out to me by Hanno Sander, the developer of 12Blocks, that there are apparently documents describing 12Blocks as follows:

    http://onerobot.org/education.html 25page+19page downloads+video written by post-doc
    http://12blocks.com/tutorial.pdf 35 pages with >20 activities
    http://12blocks.com/videos.php several videos
    http://12blocks.com/manual.pdf 29 page manual- yes, this is outdated...

    Andrew
  • jeff-ojeff-o Posts: 181
    edited 2011-07-04 04:40
    Ah, I thought you'd seen those already and wanted more. ;)
  • prof_brainoprof_braino Posts: 4,313
    edited 2011-07-04 08:27
    Hanno and Chad George (?) the beta tester for 12blocks informed me that 12block can be made to output code in any labguage required. We have an idea to make a forth backend to 12blocks, and get the best of both worlds (interactive on the PC and interactive on the prop itself).

    The cmd.xml is the key to this. This is the code and not documentation per se, but its kind of fun.
  • amveronisamveronis Posts: 21
    edited 2011-07-04 12:40
    I found 12Block a rather powerful and complete environment. The language is very suitable for people who do want to learn programming but do not have the "computer scientist" type of thinking. I find 12Blocks an excellent tool to be used in STEM (Science Technology Engineering Math) applications. Although most documentation talks about 12Blocks and the Prop, I have used it with PICAXE (several of their chips) very successfully and, since the list of processor mentions Arduino, etc, I hope Hanno and Chad will tell us how to interface 12Blocks to those processors as well. One feature of the 12Blocks that I found fascinating is its parallel processing capability. All one has to do is repeat a process on the same worksheet and the prop will handle it accordingly, "spreading" it so to speak into various other cogs. Prof_braino, the capabilities of 12Blocks lead me to believe that it would not be difficult to team it up with PropForth.
  • HannoHanno Posts: 1,130
    edited 2011-07-04 16:28
    Thanks Andrew for the compliments. I'm expanding 12Blocks into so many directions that I'm getting confused in what resources are available- so I took a stab at a comprehensive list- please let me know if I'm missing something:

    http://12blocks.com/resources.php

    The resources currently focus on the Propeller- in particular the DemoBoard. However, I've lately supported other platforms like Nick's GadgetGangster and beta support for other processors like PICAXE, Arduino and Lego Mindstorm NXT. Lots of good stuff coming soon!

    Jeff- awesome job on your Instructables- my wife loves the quilt setup!

    Prof_braino- I'm very impressed with PropForth- let me know if you need anything- if not have fun with cmd.xml!
    Hanno
  • jeff-ojeff-o Posts: 181
    edited 2011-07-04 17:42
    Do the Plant Whisperer and my upcoming laser guitar count as supported platforms? LOL.
  • HannoHanno Posts: 1,130
    edited 2011-07-12 19:06
    Jeff-
    I'd like to count your projects as awesome applications!
    I meant "development platforms"- things designed for other people to build on top of.
    But who knowns, maybe everyone will base their propeller projects on a laser guitar mounted on a shark's head?
    Hanno
  • jeff-ojeff-o Posts: 181
    edited 2011-07-12 20:14
    Hanno wrote: »
    But who knowns, maybe everyone will base their propeller projects on a laser guitar mounted on a shark's head?
    Hanno

    Ooooh, you just gave me an AWESOME idea! ;)
  • Toby SeckshundToby Seckshund Posts: 2,027
    edited 2011-07-13 01:39
    You have to be careful with daft suggestions.

    I said something, and Heater went off and got wrapped up in Zog. I still don't know what it was. :-)
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