Graphical Programming Languages

Lecture 19: Supporting Material

Dr Kathryn Merrick

Thursday 21st May, 2009

Overview

Graphical programming languages:

Variables, types, values, operators

Flow of control

Built-in functions

Strengths and limitations

Lego Mindstorms NXT: Programmable Robots

Programmable Brick

The NXT Programming Environment

The programming window

Built-in Functions

‘Move’ functions connected up like Lego bricks

Input parameters set here

Loops

Loop connected up like a Lego brick Exit condition

(can behave like a for loop or a while loop)

Instructions to be repeated will be dragged into here

Selection

Selection connected up like a Lego brick Conditions

set here

What to do will be dragged into here

A Complete Program

Demo 1:

Programming a Lego scorpion

Variables

Variable brick

Maths Operators

Maths operator brick

Boolean Operators

Boolean operator brick

Complete Program

Demo 2:

Programming a Lego scorpion

Summary

After today’s lecture you should be able to:

Identify the key programming tools we used in MATLAB in the NXT graphical language

Appreciate the strengths and weaknesses of graphical languages