New SX/B 1.50, Help File and SX-Key IDE (and a few other SX tidbits)!
Ken Gracey
Posts: 7,403
Dear SXers,
Parallax is very pleased to announce many additions and enhancements to the SX-Key IDE v 3.2, centered around the new SX/B 1.50. The entire package is available for download at http://www.parallax.com/sx/downloads.asp. There's more SX news at the bottom of this message, but I'll start with the main topic of the day:
SX/B Version 1.50
Additions to SX/B:
··WORD Variables
·· ·Word Port variables: RBC, RCD, RDE
·· ·Word Parameters: __WPARAM12, __WPARAM23, __WPARAM34, __WREMAINDER
·· ·Word Data: WDATA: word data always uses 2 bytes for each value
· Defined Functions: FUNC returnbytes, min parameters[noparse][[/noparse], max parameters]
· SHIFTIN & SHIFTOUT: Speed multiplier parameter
· COUNT command
· CMOS, TTL, SCHMITT, PULLUP: Pin configuration commands for SX48
··COMPARE:· SX48 works like BS2px command
··TIMER1 & TIMER2: commands for SX48 ONLY
··ON var GOTO|GOSUB label
·· ·ON var GOTO label0, label1
·· ·ON var GOSUB label0, label1
·· ·ON var = x,y,z GOTO labelx, labely, labelz
··· ON var = x,y,z GOSUB labelx, labely, labelx
·ELSEIF:· Makes writing "CASE type" IF structures easier
Enhancements:
· WATCH: Automatically adds parameters only need "WATCH bytevar"
· FREQ: Allows optional "Timing Freq" parameter
· DATA: Allows values > 255 (stored as 2 bytes)
· INTERRUPT [noparse][[/noparse]rate]: rate = times/second to call interrupt. Automatically sets registers.
SX/B Help File
The new SX/B 1.50 is released simultaneously with an improved SX/B Help File, from Jon Williams. Examples, command reference, and snippets are current with the new SX/B 1.50. The SX/B Help file installs with the new SX-Key IDE v. 3.2.
Other SX News
We are pleased to·disclose that Terry Hitt (aka Bean), Hitt Consulting, is the developer of the SX/B compiler. Terry has been on the SX forum as long as it has existed and provides quite a bit of support. The SX/B compiler was developed by Terry under agreement with Parallax, which explains the reason he provides the best support for this tool. Parallax has also made Terry a moderator of the SX forum.
Additionally,·Parallax is sending the new SX Key USB to production this week. This tool has been under development for quite some time. An obsolete component (the clock generator)·initiated a total redesign of hardware, firmware, and even the software. This project is being made possible with the support of Peter Montgomery and Guenther Daubach, two·frequent contributors on this forum.
Finally,·forum users have requested SX/B printed tutorials. Typically, we refer our customers to the SX/B·Help file as the main resource but many new users have requested friendly books like they've seen for the BASIC Stamp.·By September we will·post·for download (will also be available in printed format) a new book around SX/B, similar to·StampWorks but·with a focus on the SX's design.·Work on this book·began today and is now the full-time effort of Jon Williams.
We hope you are pleased with the new SX/B compiler. As usual, feel free to tell us what you'd like and we'll do·our best·to make your goals the same as ours.
Sincerely,
Ken Gracey
Parallax, Inc.
Parallax is very pleased to announce many additions and enhancements to the SX-Key IDE v 3.2, centered around the new SX/B 1.50. The entire package is available for download at http://www.parallax.com/sx/downloads.asp. There's more SX news at the bottom of this message, but I'll start with the main topic of the day:
SX/B Version 1.50
Additions to SX/B:
··WORD Variables
·· ·Word Port variables: RBC, RCD, RDE
·· ·Word Parameters: __WPARAM12, __WPARAM23, __WPARAM34, __WREMAINDER
·· ·Word Data: WDATA: word data always uses 2 bytes for each value
· Defined Functions: FUNC returnbytes, min parameters[noparse][[/noparse], max parameters]
· SHIFTIN & SHIFTOUT: Speed multiplier parameter
· COUNT command
· CMOS, TTL, SCHMITT, PULLUP: Pin configuration commands for SX48
··COMPARE:· SX48 works like BS2px command
··TIMER1 & TIMER2: commands for SX48 ONLY
··ON var GOTO|GOSUB label
·· ·ON var GOTO label0, label1
·· ·ON var GOSUB label0, label1
·· ·ON var = x,y,z GOTO labelx, labely, labelz
··· ON var = x,y,z GOSUB labelx, labely, labelx
·ELSEIF:· Makes writing "CASE type" IF structures easier
Enhancements:
· WATCH: Automatically adds parameters only need "WATCH bytevar"
· FREQ: Allows optional "Timing Freq" parameter
· DATA: Allows values > 255 (stored as 2 bytes)
· INTERRUPT [noparse][[/noparse]rate]: rate = times/second to call interrupt. Automatically sets registers.
SX/B Help File
The new SX/B 1.50 is released simultaneously with an improved SX/B Help File, from Jon Williams. Examples, command reference, and snippets are current with the new SX/B 1.50. The SX/B Help file installs with the new SX-Key IDE v. 3.2.
Other SX News
We are pleased to·disclose that Terry Hitt (aka Bean), Hitt Consulting, is the developer of the SX/B compiler. Terry has been on the SX forum as long as it has existed and provides quite a bit of support. The SX/B compiler was developed by Terry under agreement with Parallax, which explains the reason he provides the best support for this tool. Parallax has also made Terry a moderator of the SX forum.
Additionally,·Parallax is sending the new SX Key USB to production this week. This tool has been under development for quite some time. An obsolete component (the clock generator)·initiated a total redesign of hardware, firmware, and even the software. This project is being made possible with the support of Peter Montgomery and Guenther Daubach, two·frequent contributors on this forum.
Finally,·forum users have requested SX/B printed tutorials. Typically, we refer our customers to the SX/B·Help file as the main resource but many new users have requested friendly books like they've seen for the BASIC Stamp.·By September we will·post·for download (will also be available in printed format) a new book around SX/B, similar to·StampWorks but·with a focus on the SX's design.·Work on this book·began today and is now the full-time effort of Jon Williams.
We hope you are pleased with the new SX/B compiler. As usual, feel free to tell us what you'd like and we'll do·our best·to make your goals the same as ours.
Sincerely,
Ken Gracey
Parallax, Inc.
Comments
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James Newton, Host of SXList.com
james at sxlist,com 1-619-652-0593 fax:1-208-279-8767
SX FAQ / Code / Tutorials / Documentation:
http://www.sxlist.com Pick faster!
congratulations to all involved!
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stand back! I have a slide rule and I know how to use it!
Just curious... what's it written in? (I remember spotting in another thread that the IDE was built with Delphi, and SASM was C... but don't recall seeing what SX/B was done in).
Oh, and how is the new SX-Key interfaced to the PC? FTDI chip? Did the protocols change?
Delphi doesn't get much press, but I bet alot more programs are written in it then you realize.
Bean.
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Cheap 4-digit LED display with driver IC·www.hc4led.com
Low power SD Data Logger www.sddatalogger.com
"I'm a man, but I can change, if I have to, I guess" The Red Green Show
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FTDI232RQ (same drivers as the other Parallax products which use the FTDI232BM). The USB version will have a small change to the SX-Key IDE so it is recognized as USB VCP, not the serial version.
Forrest:
I think it'll work fine - replace the existing SX/B compiler with the new version and see what happens.
Ken Gracey
Parallax, Inc.
If I'm not on the forum as much as normal next week, it's because I'm on vacation at the beach.
I'm not sure if they will have internet access, but I'll get on the forums somehow.
Bean.
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Cheap 4-digit LED display with driver IC·www.hc4led.com
Low power SD Data Logger www.sddatalogger.com
"I'm a man, but I can change, if I have to, I guess" The Red Green Show
·
<sigh>... Tis' but true...
>> but I bet alot more programs are written in it then you realize.
On the contrary... I'm sure that there are quite a few apps that are written in Delphi. Back in the day, it's predecessor (Turbo Pascal) was very popular (anybody remember SWAG?
>> The USB version will have a small change to the SX-Key IDE so it is recognized as USB VCP, not the serial version.
But, if I connect to the FTDI VCP driver, and send it the usual SX-Key programming protocol; everything should work transparently? (one of the nice things about you folks using FTDI chips is that you gain cross-platform compatibility automatically - to me, it just shows up as another termios device, the same as any other USB-serial adapter. Same with Linux, too...).
I just wanted to thank-you for your dedication to the microcontroller hobbyist/educational community. I started out with the Basic Stamp 2 roughly eight years ago and enjoyed it very much. Then, I started developing with the SX series a little over year and a half ago (I still love playing with my Basic Stamps, though!) along with adding the Propeller to my development arsenal in May. Not only have your development environments and microcontrollers helped me to extend my education in electronics, they have also aided me in developing my skills in C/C++ programming for PCs.
Currently, I am a senior attending Purdue University majoring in Electrical & Computer Engineering Technologies and have chosen the SX for my Senior Design Project (Internet Controlled Underwater Vehicle). In the Basic Stamp 2s, I have made heavy use of the ** (multiply high) and */ (multiply middle) operators, thus, I was ecstatic to find that SX/B now supports them too!
Hopefully by tomorrow, I will be in the process of converting my BS2 code to SX/B for the SHT1x Thermometer/Hydrometer and, with luck; I will post the code by Sunday. All-in-all, my ultimate goal would be to create a small, transportable weather station.
I know this is a bit pre-mature, but, with luck, I would like to eventually join Parallax because I enjoy developing with electronics and helping to educate individuals about the subject.
Alan
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"I learn when I succeed, but I learn more when I fail."
Just a little note. The ** and */ operators ONLY work for WORD variables. They wouldn't be much use with bytes anyway.
Bean.
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Cheap 4-digit LED display with driver IC·www.hc4led.com
Low power SD Data Logger www.sddatalogger.com
"I'm a man, but I can change, if I have to, I guess" The Red Green Show
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"I learn when I succeed, but I learn more when I fail."
To be honest, and someone can slap me, I was worried that the SX (and other units) were going to go 'by the wayside' as Parallax focuses on the Propellor.
I certainly need a little hand holding with the SX and can't wait for the literature!
Cheers
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Steve
"Inside each and every one of us is our one, true authentic swing. Something we was born with. Something that's ours and ours alone. Something that can't be learned... something that's got to be remembered."
If you came to Parallax to visit with us, you'd see there's "not a chance" that the BASIC Stamps and SX lines will deteriorate in the presence of the Propeller. All three product lines are unique and will continue to be developed side-by-side. The SX is an ideal fit because it lets Stamp users make a leap to an 8-bit micro without interpreter at a very low cost, with a free compiler. I think that the Propeller will cause us to support the Stamp and SX more than in the past, just to show our customers that we aren't going to let support decrease.
And that may sound like corporate blah-blah, so just wait to see some of the SX improvements be released!
Ken Gracey
Parallax, Inc.
Awesome! Great job!
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John J. Couture
San Diego Miramar College
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Meh. Nothing here, move along.
Not to detract from SX/B, but there IS a byte code interpreted langauge for the SX that is based on Pascal. It is called XPL/0 and you can also find it on SXList.com. It is not currently being developed but if anyone wants SX/P it might be a starting point.
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---
James Newton, Host of SXList.com
james at sxlist,com 1-619-652-0593 fax:1-208-279-8767
SX FAQ / Code / Tutorials / Documentation:
http://www.sxlist.com Pick faster!
It'd have to get a bit colder for my pasty Canadian hide to manage down there! [noparse];)[/noparse]
Glad to hear things won't go by the wayside.
Will the N&V articles, by Jon, still continue?·
Whatever happened to the stamp project of the month from the yahoo groups?
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Steve
"Inside each and every one of us is our one, true authentic swing. Something we was born with. Something that's ours and ours alone. Something that can't be learned... something that's got to be remembered."
Nuts and Volts articles shall continue from Jon Williams. The BASIC Stamp Project of the Month is available in a book compilation from Al Williams (Al's BASIC Stamp Project of the Month book) from our web site. Perhaps these will become a free download at some point. The last YahooGroup "project of the month" was quite some time ago (two - three years?).
In the Rocklin area our low temperatures in the winter are about 30F; highs hover around 100F in the summer. Other seasons are in between.
We can always take you to the zoo to see a moose if you need to feel at home while in California.
Ken Gracey
Parallax, Inc.
begin
Awesome;
end;
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- - - PLJack - - -
Perfection in design is not achieved when there is nothing left to add.
It is achieved when there is nothing left to take away.
I have downloaded what I believe to be the "latest" rev of SX IDE software (release 3)
WILL SOMBODY AT PARALLAX PLEASE STICK A DATE ON THESE RELEASES SO WE CAN EASILY SEE IF SOMETHING NEW IS AVAILABLE
and I'm having some problems working or understanding new features/fixes noted in the README file.
A slightly more detailed explanation over the rather cryptic descriptions would be very useful, and much appreciated, and would probably solve some of these frustrations.
Specifically:
Fixed "WATCH bitvar" so that it works even if the bit position is not zero. ............. I still can't get individual "bit" watches to work
Added support for SX/C. ............. What does this mean ?
Fixed SX/C bug when programing for standalone mode. ............. What does this mean ?
Bugs remaining (non exhaustive):
1. Altering a value through the WATCH window that addresses global RAM still makes the change to memory mapped into in bank $10.
2. Still can not BREAK on last line of code.
Cheers,
Peter (pjv)
The "release 2 - release 3" was caused by a last minute bug fix.
SX-Key IDE version 3.1 could not watch a bit variable that was not in bit position 0. If you still cannot get them to work, make sure your using IDE version 3.2.
From what I gather the SX/C compiler will be released in the future.
I'm not sure about the other issues.
Bean.
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Cheap 4-digit LED display with driver IC·www.hc4led.com
Low power SD Data Logger www.sddatalogger.com
"I'm a man, but I can change, if I have to, I guess" The Red Green Show
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I can hardly wait until next week when I can start testing the new version...
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Living on the planet Earth might be expensive but it includes a free trip around the sun every year...
Experience level:
[noparse][[/noparse] ] Let's connect the motor to pin 1, it's a 6V motor so it should be fine.
[noparse][[/noparse] ] OK, I got my resistors hooked up with the LEDs.
[noparse][[/noparse]X] I got the Motor hooked up with the H-bridge and the 555 is supplying the PWM.
[noparse][[/noparse] ] Now, if I can only program the BOE-BOT to interface with he Flux Capacitor.
[noparse][[/noparse] ] I dream in SX28 assembler...
/Bamse
I can hardly wait until next week when I can start testing the new version...
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Living on the planet Earth might be expensive but it includes a free trip around the sun every year...
Experience level:
[noparse][[/noparse] ] Let's connect the motor to pin 1, it's a 6V motor so it should be fine.
[noparse][[/noparse] ] OK, I got my resistors hooked up with the LEDs.
[noparse][[/noparse]X] I got the Motor hooked up with the H-bridge and the 555 is supplying the PWM.
[noparse][[/noparse] ] Now, if I can only program the BOE-BOT to interface with he Flux Capacitor.
[noparse][[/noparse] ] I dream in SX28 assembler...
/Bamse
Steve, make sure you come down in March.
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OS-X: because making Unix user-friendly was easier than debugging Windows
links:
My band's website
Our album on the iTunes Music Store
We were down in the US (can't remember where...was young) in their "cool" season, running around in shorts and someone stopped me and asked if I was from Canada. Thought it was funny, but ya 75degF is still warm for us Canucks! It's been about 100degF all week....horrid I tell you, my igloo melted 3weeks ago and the huskies asked me to shave'em down!!
[noparse];)[/noparse]
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Steve
"Inside each and every one of us is our one, true authentic swing. Something we was born with. Something that's ours and ours alone. Something that can't be learned... something that's got to be remembered."