Programming instructions

Reference
Project Lead The Way © and Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy © / For use with VEX
®
Robotics Systems
Running a Program • 1
Running a Program
1. Make sure your VEX is turned on. Move the switch from
the OFF position to the ON position.
2. Make sure your robot is plugged in to the computer via
the Programming Module. The program will be loaded
onto the robot through this connection.
3. Click “Robot” on the top menu bar of the ROBOTC
window, and select “Download Program” or “Compile
and Download Program” (they’re effectively the same;
which one you see depends on whether you have made
changes since the last time you compiled).
4. You may be prompted to save your program. If so, save
it ........................................................in the same directory
as your other programs.
5. If there are errors in your code the compiler will identify
them for you and you will need to correct them before a
successful download can be completed.
Downloading places your program on the robot to be run on
command. You can run the program in two different ways.
• Run attached
If your robot is still connected to your computer you
can run the program which was just downloaded by
clicking “Start” in the “Program Debug” window which
automatically appears upon download. This will run your
program and because the robot is still connected to
the computer via its cable, you can obtain live variable
and sensor feedback by using such debug windows as
“Global Variables” and “Devices.”
• Run Independently
If you want to run the program while the robot is not
connected just remove the cable once the program has
been downloaded. On the back of the VEX, toggle the
power switch in the “Off” position, and then back to “On”.
The program will run immediately.
Once a program has been successfully written, it needs to be given to the robot to run.
The following steps will guide you through the process of downloading your program to the robot,
and then running it remotely or connected to your computer.
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