Should I go Javelin or BASIC or both

howler422

I have worked with BASIC, QuickBASIC, Visual Basic, Java and many other languages and I am not concerned with the languages used. I am trying to learn more about building data gathering modules and potentially automated controls. I have written software in the past to communicate and control industrial hardware via boards built by company engineers but I want to build my own systems. Should I start with the BASIC Stamp StampWorks Kit and a Javelin Kit, Just the StampWorks kit or a smaller intro kit.

Thanks in advance for your patience with me. I appreciate any input.

bulkhead

If you already have experience in programming and electronics, then you may not even need the starter kits. For example, half of the Javelin's manual (availble for download) is dedicated to "how to program in Java." If you have already worked with circuits before, and know how to wire up LEDs, pushbutton switches, etc, you don't even need the other half of the Javelin's manual. What you would probably need is just the Javelin's various class documentation for its VP's and built in classes.

I think the Javelin allows more features than the BS2, but it is less widely known. You will readily find code in basic for doing almost any task you can think of already posted on the internet, but there is little to none for the Javelin (at least not yet). Pricewise, you can obtain a BS2 for about 1/3 the price of a Javelin (the OEM version), so if you need multiple microcontrollers, the BS2 is more cost effective.

Data gathering may be best done with a few BS2's since it's a relatively simple task, but for automated stuff (AI) I think programming in Java would be easier (at least for me). Either way, you can't go wrong selecting either stamp.

Post Edited (bulkhead) : 2/13/2006 9:45:31 PM GMT

Kevin Wood

Since you are looking to design and build your own systems, I think the best place to start would be with the BS2 & the Stamps in Class curriculum. The curriculum offers a very good mix of software and hardware design concepts, are very well written, and help you to develop the ability to see the big picture in designing a system. Parallax usually recommends "What's a Microcontroller" as the best starting point.

If you haven't already seen the curriculum flowchart, check it out (especially the Sensors & Industrial branch):

www.parallax.com/html_pages/edu/curriculum/flow.asp


Another excellent resource is the Basic Stamp Tutorial on the educational downloads page:

www.parallax.com/html_pages/edu/downloads/downloads.asp


As for actually getting started, I think that the RadioShack "What's a Microcontroller Kit" is a great bargain. It costs $80, and is usually available in the local RadioShack. It comes with a HomeWork board, which is a little less compatible with the curriculum than the Board of Education, but that only really means that you have to pay a bit more attention to your designs, and might have to wire things up a bit differently. For the best compatability, the kit to get is the Basic Stamp Discovery Kit, which is basically a BoE version of the RS WAM Kit, plus an extra printed manual. The BoE is used in all of the curriculum courses. Here is a link:

www.parallax.com/detail.asp?product_id=27207


Lastly, download and look at the curriculum PDFs. You won't be disappointed with the material.

Peter Verkaik

There are lots of javelin classes here:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/JavelinCode/files/Javelin%20Stamp%20IDE/lib/stamp/
regards peter
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howler422

Thanks for all of the input and I am certainly going to review the links provided. I have lots of programming experience it is the electronics side where I need work. Thank you for the input. I am leaning toward starting with the BS2 because of the amount of helpful guides. As I learn I will add the Javelin. I think this is the best direction. I will let you all know what decision I make and update my progress here. Any advice is appreciated.