Feeling very overwhelmed...

[LittleMissSunshine]

Hi Everyone!
So I'm about as noobish as you can get to this stuff. I happened to meet JonnyMac at Midwest Haunt Con this past Sunday and after chatting with him and his partner got up the nerves to purchase a Prop1. I've been pouring over all the downloadable literature, the forums, and even hit up some traditional programmer friends, frankly, I feel like I'm going cross-eyed. I don't even know where to start. I have both industrial style PLC's(basically all ladder logic) and rudimentary C++ in my background, but all this still feels like Greek to me. From what I can see the Prop1 has like built in commands(which remind me very much of C++), I can't find a list of them. That would be incredible helpful! I'm also a relative virgin in the haunt world. I get the ideas of needing an input(people tripping a trigger) to set off a run through of outputs(lights, fog, pneumatics, sound) to operate a prop. So, my question... Where did ya'll start at? I don't wanna just pilfer other peoples code, I wanna learn why and how to write my own. I'd appreciate any help!

Thanks,
Sunshine

[Jeff Haas]

You program the Prop-1 in a version of BASIC.  Inside the Parallax BASIC Stamp Editor is a help menu that lists all the commands, and a link to the PDF of the Parallax manual.

Also go here and download all the EFX PDF and ZIPs:
http://www.efx-tek.com/topics/prop-1.html

There are example programs which will get you started, and an overview of the basic commands.  Did you also pick up the Prop-1 trainer? If not, you'll want to pick up some LEDs , a push button and a breadboard to put sample circuits together.

Once you know what you're doing (and it should be quick, given your background) you can look through the resources on this forum, and download programs other people have used, and learn from them.

[livinlowe]

Hey Sunshine! Welcome to the forums! Don't worry, like Jeff said, you will pick this stuff up quickly. As Jeff said, go here:
http://www.parallax.com/tabid/441/Default.aspx
and download the Basic Stamp editor software. Under the help tab when you run the software, there is a detailed listing of all the commands supported by the Basic Stamp 1 (which the Prop-1 is based on).

I think you will be surprised what you can accomplish with a little creativity, and if you need any help, Jon and others are super great about either writing a program up for you or helping you understand yours.

[JonnyMac]

Sunshine,

Programming the Prop-1 is far easier than a PLC or anything in C++ -- you've simply got a case of the "it's new" and that will pass quickly.

Have a look at this tutorial:
-- http://www.efx-tek.com/downloads/prop-1_programming_basics.pdf

You can enter the programs in the editor and run them on the trainer. The trainer has a button P5 to act as a trigger input and LEDs on P0 through P5 (six total). There's even a pot on P7 for variable input (save that for later).

The key to success is to take it easy. I've been programming the BASIC Stamp 1 ("brain" of the Prop-1) for almost 20 years; you can know what I know, too, it will just take a little time. It's better to spend 15 or 20 minutes every day playing than trying to learn and cram in a big project at the last second.

The good news is that the Prop-1 only has 32 keywords (commands in the language) and we only use about 10 to 12 routinely -- there's really not much to learn except how to apply the syntax. There are hundreds of programs in this forum that you can learn from. Liberate the ones that are just right, modify those that need modification. That's why we do these things in public: so that everyone can learn.

Important: relax and have fun!

[JonnyMac]

Since you have some programming experience, this thread has a list of links to articles about programming the BASIC Stamp 1, which is the processor at the heart of the Prop-1. Reading these will help you to understand BS1 syntax.

-- http://www.efx-tek.com/php/smf/index.php?topic=595.0

[JackMan]

Hi Sunshine!
    Welcome to the forums and the great world of prop building. The Prop-1 is a fantastic little controller, once you start programming you'll be hooked. Building and programming props is very addictive!  8)

[LittleMissSunshine]

Hey! Thanks everyone! Sorry for the late reply, this summer cold has had me doing a pretty spot on impression of a zombie this past week. The command list has been a gold mine! So incredibly helpful, I feel like I have a roadmap now. I'm pouring over the links ya'll posted, I've got my editor downloaded, and I finally feel like I can get somewhere. Thanks for making me feel welcome, I'm sure this won't be my last question :)

Cheers,
Sunshine