BASIC Stamp FAQ

STAMP FAQS PROGRAMMING INFORMATION
Last Revised On: 7/21/00 Page: 13
How do I reprogram the BASIC Stamp?
Simply re-connect it to the computer, run the BASIC Stamp editor and press ALT-R (DOS software) or CTRL-R
(Windows software).
How big of a program can I store in the BASIC Stamp?
The BASIC Stamp I has 256 bytes of program storage; enough for 80 to 100 lines of PBASIC1 code. The
BASIC Stamp II has 2048 bytes of program storage; enough for 500 to 600 lines of PBASIC2 code. The BASIC
Stamps IIe and IIsx each have 16,384 bytes of program storage separated into 8 pages of 2048 bytes. Each page
(or code section) can hold 500 to 600 lines of PBASIC2e, or PBASIC2sx code, respectively, for an overall total
of approx. 4000 instructions.
Can I expand the program memory?
No, the program memory is not expandable as the interpreter chip expects the memory to be a specific, fixed size.
Can I expand the data memory?
Yes, you may interface EEPROMs, or other memory devices, the BASIC Stamp’s I/O pins to gain more data
storage area. You will have to include the appropriate code within your PBASIC program to interface to the
particular device you choose.
How difficult is it to program the BASIC Stamp?
When compared to other programmable microcontrollers, the BASIC Stamps are perhaps the easiest to use
because of their simple, but powerful, language structure and straightforward method of downloading and
debugging. If you have some experience programming in BASIC, C or Pascal, you should find the learning process
with the BASIC Stamp to be a simple one. If, however, you have never had any programming experience, you may
have to spend some extra time studying the examples and application notes before you feel comfortable with the
BASIC Stamp.
Can I program the BASIC Stamp in Visual BASIC or QBASIC?
No. The BASIC Stamp is a microcontroller, not a miniature PC. It does not have a graphical user interface, a hard
drive or a lot of RAM. The BASIC Stamp must only be programmed with PBASIC, which has been specifically
designed to exploit all of the BASIC Stamp’s capabilities.
What is PBASIC?
PBASIC (Parallax BASIC) is a hybrid form of the BASIC programming language in which many people are
familiar. Currently there are three versions of PBASIC: PBASIC1 for the BASIC Stamp I, PBASIC2 for the
BASIC Stamp II and PBASIC2sx for the BASIC Stamp IIsx. Each version is specifically tailored to take
advantage of the inherent features of the hardware it runs on. PBASIC is called a hybrid because, while it contains
some simplified forms of standard BASIC commands, it also has special commands to efficiently control the I/O
pins.
Can I imbed assembly language routines in my PBASIC code?
No. The BASIC Stamp is a PBASIC interpreter only and cannot except assembly language routines.