feroze
USA
Asked
— Edited
Hello All!
I recently ordered my EZ-B Complete Kit and can't wait to receive it.
One of my main interests is writing various programs for the robot so it can act on it's own (autonomous) without me having to control it's every move.
I just want a clarification on how you do this with ARC? Is this done with scripts?
Something like this: http://www.instructables.com/id/My-Autonomous-HomeMade-Wall-E-Robot/
Did DJ Sures do this with ARC or EZ-SDK?
Would I have to use EZ-SDK with Visual Studio to write custom logic? So I would basically follow the visual studio ez-sdk controller tutorial. Then I would have access to all the classes and methods to control EZ-B. That would allow me to write custom program and then run it?
Thanks so much!
Can I write programs using ARC that utilize logic statements like if, else, switch, for loops etc.? Can I create arrays, matrix, etc to store data? Basically can I write OOP style or functional style programs with ARC?
Eventually I would like to write more complex programs that uses multiple classes. Even utilize other people frameworks. That is the main reason I would like to use the SDK but if you can program all this within the EZ-scripts then that would be great too!
Download ARC and try it out, you will be able to use parts of it without the EZ-B, EZ-Script is one thing that you can play around with, you can find out what commands you have and what is possible. Be aware that while it is already very powerful it is still evolving with new commands being added.
Ok so I just checked it out, and tried looking for these answers on the website but still have some things I am unclear about.
Like I found this forum post: https://synthiam.com/Community/Questions/2574 Where he uses loops statements, if, print, seems to be writing methods? Is there a manual for all this syntax? All that is shown is the function in EZ-Builter Script Help
Next question is about Script flow? I understand how you can create different scripts and control them with script manager. But what is script flow? Is that just using ControlCommand to call one script from another?
Lastly, it seems like with the scripts you mainly just use them to plan a custom order of specific functions? As where with the SDK you can use all the same functions but also be able to create methods, arrays, matrix, conditionals, loops, basically you have a normal programming environment? Is this a correct interpretation?
Thanks so much for the help clearing up my confusion!
Have a look in the Scripting section of the forum, and on the EZCloud, there are a lot of examples which should help you out.
Also, take the time to read through my An Introduction To Scripting topic, this covers the IF statements and conditions in quite a lot of detail.
Since you will be scripting in the script dialogue the manual is to the right, where each command has an example and with ARC constantly being updated (excluding the short period where it hasn't due to the upcoming major release) there is no official online manual, however I do keep a PDF version as up to date as possible here
In ARC there are also many examples for all script commands.
Scripts are not "just to plan orders". EZ-Script is a very powerful, fully functioning scripting language. Multiple commands can all be used at the same time. Some functions may require more than one script running at the same time however my Ping Avoidance and Ping Avoidance V1.1.0 (and V1.1.1)scripts tackle having to move a servo, drive a robot, read the ping sensor and act accordingly.
Read through the forums, search for specific commands that you are unsure of, check out the cloud and examples, check the controls and read through the tutorials. Every control has a ? by the X in ARC, clicking on it will take you to the relevant page for that control.
Thanks so much Rich, that is very helpful. I will look through the manual and your Ping Avoidance script as an example.
Is your Ping avoidance script basically what DJ Sures did with the Omnibot here: http://youtu.be/LhlC7xOUadU
Check out what DJ Sures did with the Omnibot here: http://youtu.be/LhlC7xOUadU
He says he is using a 2D Autonomous Mapping Code.. Did this require using the SDK?
I believe DJ built his Omnibot before ARC existed.
Ah so I suppose using the 2D Autonomous mapping code would requiring using the SDK. The video says the source code is available at the website, I wonder if they are talking about it being available in the SDK. It just seems like if you know how to program then the SDK offers everything ARC does but more....