SX/Key Vs SX/Blitz

Jim McCorison

Parallax FAQ said...
The SX-Key programming tool is our full-featured, programmer and emulator for the SX chips. It has an on-board clock synthesizer used to run the target SX chip at any frequency between 400KHz and 110MHz. The SX-Blitz is our low-cost programmer for the SX chips. Although it uses the same software as the SX-Key software, it cannot emulate, nor can it generate a clock signal to run the target device.

Ok. But how much of an issue is that? I'm trying to get a handle on what compromises I would have to make if I got an SX/Blitx instead of an SX/Key.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Jim

Ken Gracey

Jim,

For some people it's not an issue at all. Chip designed the BASIC Stamps without any debugger/emulator and only a programmer, so it's up to the developer. He understood every single architectural issue and is a real whiz with programming and math. I'd have a hard time without a debugger, because I tend to have a fair amount of trial and error in my development and need all the help I can get (I'm not a programmer). I think the level of compromise depends on your understanding of assembly language and SX architecture.

But the Blitz is not an option anymore. We've discontinued it when we lowered the price of the SX-Key. In fact, within 24 hours you will be able to order the SX Tech Tool Kit PLUS at only $99 (is $129 today). If you want to order the SX Key alone then it would be $79. Our SX tools have never been this low cost. We can only justify it to ourselves because it drives the SX chip sales. As the Master Distributor of the SX our motivation is different than it used to be.

I'd like to hear from others about the necessity of the debug facilities.

Ken Gracey
Parallax, Inc.

Ken Gracey

Oh, and I'll update that FAQ. Could you provide a link to that page so I can get our Web Team on it?

Thanks,

Ken

Jim McCorison

Ken,

So by if I understand you correctly, a lack of an emulator means a lack of a debugger? If that's that case I'll give the Blitz a miss.

I started programing in 1971. When I was first able to get core dumps in the early 80's I thought I'd gone to heaven. Then when I used my first interactive debugger... heck that was better then sex. Well, ok. Better then a fudge sunday. I really miss having a debugger for the stamp and if I'm going to charge down the road of the SX, having a debugger is something I really want.

The FAQ is at www.parallax.com/sx/support_faqs.asp.

Thanks,
Jim

Ken Gracey

Jim,

Yep. Lack of emulator is lack of debugger. No debugger in the SX Blitz.

Having used the Stamp and starting to learn the SX with SX/B, I found the debugger imperative in the SX-Key. My entire micro experience has been Stamps, so seeing each register, counter on the SX and being able to set a watch on variables was nearly amazing to me (duh). I missed the ability to do Stamp-style text-string debugging, but that could be done with Hyperterminal using the SX. Better than a caramel/banana/vanilla sunday.

I'll fix that web page. Thanks for pointing it out.

If you get an SX-Key and you end up being not happy, just return it. But I think you'll stick with it considering the improvements you will soon see to SX/B (if you go that route).

Ken Gracey
Parallax, Inc.

allanlane5

Note also there are very few ICD (in-circuit debugger) devices for the SX, and Parallax makes the best, in my opinion.
So by spending the $100, you're getting the industry standard.

Jim McCorison

Ok. I'm sold.

If you've written the program in SX/B is the actual debugging down at the assembler level? That would seem like a handy way to get up to snuff on SASM. If I used a 3rd party C compiler I should still be able to debug, right?

Jim

Bean

Jim,
Yes, with SX/B you debug at the assembly level, but the BASIC code is right there too.

Bean.