PropBasic Libraries to support the Badge WX (#20300)
Bean
Posts: 8,129
The Parallax Badge WX (#20300) represent a great value at only $50. https://www.parallax.com/product/20300
I plan to create a set of library functions to allow PropBasic programmers to use it.
This is a fairly large project and will take many hours of my time. I hope others will benefit from it.
The first step is to install the latest version of SimpleIDE (version 1.1.2) you can download here https://learn.parallax.com/tutorials/language/propeller-c/propeller-c-set-simpleide
Then download the attached file "PropBasic for SimpleIDE.Zip" and extract the files. Read the "Setup SimpleIDE for PropBasic.pdf" it will explain the steps required. If you make a new project you MUST change the compiler from "C" to "SPIN" in the project options.
Make sure your computer and the Badge WX are connected to the same WiFi router. When you click on the dropdown in the upper right of the SimpleIDE screen, it should fine the Badge WX (it wil be WX-xxxx). After the Badge WX connects YOU MUST PRESS THE POWER BUTTON 6 TIMES REALLY FAST. This will unlock the badge so it will accept new programs.
Now download the pongdemo.zip and extract the files. Load the "BadgeWX.side" project into simpleide. Press the "Load RAM and run" button and the program should download to the badge and start running.
The file PropBasic for Badge WX.zip contains the libraries version 0.1beta. There is a demo program "Demo1" that demonstrates them.
Bean
I plan to create a set of library functions to allow PropBasic programmers to use it.
This is a fairly large project and will take many hours of my time. I hope others will benefit from it.
The first step is to install the latest version of SimpleIDE (version 1.1.2) you can download here https://learn.parallax.com/tutorials/language/propeller-c/propeller-c-set-simpleide
Then download the attached file "PropBasic for SimpleIDE.Zip" and extract the files. Read the "Setup SimpleIDE for PropBasic.pdf" it will explain the steps required. If you make a new project you MUST change the compiler from "C" to "SPIN" in the project options.
Make sure your computer and the Badge WX are connected to the same WiFi router. When you click on the dropdown in the upper right of the SimpleIDE screen, it should fine the Badge WX (it wil be WX-xxxx). After the Badge WX connects YOU MUST PRESS THE POWER BUTTON 6 TIMES REALLY FAST. This will unlock the badge so it will accept new programs.
Now download the pongdemo.zip and extract the files. Load the "BadgeWX.side" project into simpleide. Press the "Load RAM and run" button and the program should download to the badge and start running.
The file PropBasic for Badge WX.zip contains the libraries version 0.1beta. There is a demo program "Demo1" that demonstrates them.
Bean
Comments
I have ordered my Badge WX but is hasn't arrived yet.
In the meantime I am planning out the libraries and create the SUBs and FUNCs that I think I will need.
As soon as I can test the most basic libraries I will post them.
First order of business: LEDs and Buttons.
Bean
Shame on me for not having explored this but my needs are quite simple (real-time, determinism, etc.):
Being able to interface with existing PASM objects would open up all kinds of possibilities for PropBasic.
Most PASM drivers can be enclosed in ASM...ENDASM and converted pretty easy.
It is the .spin files that are much harder as PropBasic cannot call .spin code.
Either way, you are much better off re-writing as a library because it will (if written properly) remove dead code from the library.
There are a couple libraries on OBEX for PropBasic (TV, VGA2, VGA4) that you can look at to get an idea how they work.
Bean
- Ken
Bean
Sure is good to see that you are finding the time for, Propbasic. I have used Propbasic whenever I have a something for the P1, and since it was released.
I was just looking at Johnathan Dummer's SD code and thinking about porting it across to Propbasic when I
came across this thread. On the other hand it might be better to look at extending your despatcher code, and provide examples so that folks could utilise some of the objects in the OBEX. Time to do this stuff is always a problem.
BTW I have posted to earlier Propbasic threads under my old username Ron Sutcliffe, but when I upgraded my system here
I decided the change a few things.
Ron
Manche, France
Coincidentally, this very SD driver is what just prompted my question to Bean.
It's a bit hazy now but I remember a thread about trying to use PropBasic with an SD card and I wondered why not use one of the existing objects.
I was just kicking around the idea of playing with PropBASIC libraries. When work travel offers small gifts of time (i.e. flight delays), this seems like a better use of time than the alternatives (staring at the news or drinking more beer ... mmm). I just installed the Propeller IDE on my work laptop and moved some files into the cloud. My return trip on Thursday connects in Charlotte, so I may be gifted with lots of time thanks to Florence.
Seems they are really picky, and some cards act differently so it is a challenge.
But I really should have written it a long time ago, I just never needed SD support for my projects.
I was going to start with Kye's SD card drive, but maybe I'll look at Mr. Dummer's code too.
Bean
Ironically, I also have not had a need, yet included it on my prototyping PCB just in case. I have not even tested the one linked above years later.
Pressing the power-button 6 times to lock programming works great.
I already have the LED and Button libraries working.
When I get a little further along I will start posting the Library files.
I'd like to hear from some users that have a Badge WX that would be interested in Beta Testing.
Let me know in this thread.
Bean
It has the libraries for the OLED, Buttons, and Audio
Bean
I can not find any attachments in the first post.
Bean
Strange, appear here as these 2 links in first post
http://forums.parallax.com/discussion/download/123623/PongDemo.zip
http://forums.parallax.com/discussion/download/123657/PropBasic for SimpleIDE.zip
It's REALLEY strange because I don't see your Sig any more on this 'puter, (Chrome). I know what it used to look like.
Bean
The file is in the first post as "PropBasic for Badge WX.zip" and it contains a demo program "Demo1" that shows the use of all of the libraries.
I hope you will see from the demo how easy it is to use the badge with PropBasic.
Comment and questions welcome...
Bean
I have added support for TV output (monochrome 256x192 pixels), and large characters on the OLED.
Bean
For those that do not have the file, I have attached it.
Yeah it came in really handy when developing the TV driver.
Bean
Use the left rocker to move left,right or zoom in
Use the right rocker to move up, down and zoom out.
Enjoy,
Bean
P.S. Ken, I think this would make a great demo program for the Badge WX. But I might be a wee-bit biased...