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NEWBIE Needs Direction ........... — Parallax Forums

NEWBIE Needs Direction ...........

Frank FernandezFrank Fernandez Posts: 12
edited 2013-03-01 19:32 in Propeller 1
So after hitting the proverbial brick wall with the stamps limitations, and the subsequent conversation with Parallax tech support it seams I need to learn the Propeller.

The problem is I was just getting acclimated to the stamp, And I honestly don't know where to start.

I need advice, consider me as below entry level but highly enthusiastic and cant wait to start.

All advice will be appreciated. ....................

Thank you in advance.

Comments

  • JonnyMacJonnyMac Posts: 9,191
    edited 2013-03-01 14:10
    The Propeller Education Kit is built right into the Help menu of the Propeller Tool -- that's one place to start.
  • Frank FernandezFrank Fernandez Posts: 12
    edited 2013-03-01 14:18
    Which would you recommend? the standard 40 pin kit where everything needs to be assembled or the prop-stick version or shold i get get the pro-board being there are so many variations being application specific that I'm working on ???
  • Duane DegnDuane Degn Posts: 10,588
    edited 2013-03-01 14:47
    IMO, there are so many ways to wire and program a Propeller (or any microcontroller) incorrectly, that you could save yourself a lot of grief by getting either the Prop Stick version or (even better IMO) a QuickStart board. You might want to get the DIP version with a QuickStart so you could build your own board later on with the DIP chip. This way you'd have all the parts the come with the PEK but not have to worry about getting the wiring correct just to get the PC to talk with the Prop.

    I've collected some links to tutorials about programming the Propeller in post #3 of my index. There are several other good tutorials to go with the PEK including JonnyMac's SpinZone articles.

    Edit: I was just looking at the Parallax store and I think if you were to get a QuickStart and one of these parts kits, you'd be pretty well set. You'll probably want to make sure you have a decent breadboard. One nice think about the PEK is the breadboad. It has more holes than most.
  • Mike GreenMike Green Posts: 23,101
    edited 2013-03-01 15:12
    There are many ways to move from the Stamps to the Propeller. Make sure to look at the BS2_Functions object in the Propeller Object Exchange. It provides many of the functions of the Stamps as Spin subroutines (methods). Also look at FemtoBasic and its variants like DongleBasic, both in the Object Exchange. FemtoBasic will work nicely with the QuickStart board plus the Human Interface board for the QuickStart. You'd need a PS/2 keyboard and either a VGA or a TV monitor, but that would let you program the Propeller without a PC if you want. Another option for programming is PropBasic or the beta of the Propeller GCC C/C++ compiler.

    OldBitCollector (Jeff) has also been working with FemtoBasic and adding features to make a nice Color Basic (see here). Try it too.
  • RaymanRayman Posts: 14,826
    edited 2013-03-01 18:16
    When I was getting started, I bought a lot of stuff... I think my favorites were the Demo board and the Proto board.

    So, these may still be my recommendations... But, I was mostly interested in VGA output.

    So, I guess it all depends on what you primarily want to do...
  • Peter JakackiPeter Jakacki Posts: 10,193
    edited 2013-03-01 18:29
    Frank Fernandez wrote: »
    So after hitting the proverbial brick wall with the stamps limitations, and the subsequent conversation with Parallax tech support it seams I need to learn the Propeller.

    The problem is I was just getting acclimated to the stamp, And I honestly don't know where to start.

    I need advice, consider me as below entry level but highly enthusiastic and cant wait to start.

    All advice will be appreciated. ....................

    Thank you in advance.
    The good thing about this forum is that there is so much good advice, the problem is that you need the right advice. The only way we can really help you then is for you to describe what you were doing with the Stamps and how it is that you hit the proverbial brick wall. Now, what is it that you have in mind to do with the Prop when you do start?
  • W9GFOW9GFO Posts: 4,010
    edited 2013-03-01 19:32
    Frank Fernandez wrote: »
    Which would you recommend? the standard 40 pin kit where everything needs to be assembled or the prop-stick version

    I would go with the standard 40 pin kit. Two immediate reasons that I can think of. First, I think it is better for learning the more you do yourself and second, if you mis-wire something and burn up the chip it will be much more economical to replace it. You might even want to order a spare Propeller chip, if you don't need it as a replacement you could easily use it in a project.
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