Moving onto greener pastures!

[brad]

Hello fellow programmers!

I am actually going to do it - I am learning a new programming language for pic microcontrollers.

BASIC!

I was actually thinking of programming in C but I have looked right into basic and think that's for me. It's amazing how much more powerful the language is compared to ASM.

I am really looking forward to it and for starters I think I will look at porting my old projects over to picbasic code.

If anyone wants to join me in my endeavor then feel free, otherwise I'll just let you know how it is coming along for me.

[sdudley]

TRAITOR!

[brad]

TRADER!

do you mean traitor?

c'mon - it's just a new programming language!

[sdudley]

TRADER!

...do you mean traitor?

Huh?

[brad]

I now realize that I have given you too much power...

But on another note. I really have hit a wall with assembly so I would like to see if I can make bigger and better things with a language that can help me achieve that.

This program I am using is great. You code in basic and when you compile it, it actually gives you the hex and also asm output. It's interesting to see how 10 lines of basic turn into about 100 in assembly

[sdudley]

...I really have hit a wall with assembly so I would like to see if I can make bigger and better things with a language that can help me achieve that...

WOW, what an ego! I can't believe your arrogance. Personally, I don't believe you have even scratched the surface of what assembly can do mister!

Ok, just kidding! Really. <--- There's a smiley picking his teeth to prove it.

On a serious note, would you consider dedicating a forum topic to discussing basic code, etc. It's interesting you note this because I have taken one class in "Visual Basic" and really enjoyed that. There are two more classes available at the community college I attend. At one time I was planning on taking them but decided not to because I am drowning in projects (and work) as it is!

Also, we had discussed doing that little "C" course together so I figured that might be the way to go.

However... Now that I see someone else is interested in basic, then I might drum up more interest myself (yes, I am a follower not a leader).

With all that said, I really enjoy assembly and have not felt the need to move on just yet. There is still MUCH MUCH more for this young Jedi to learn and to become a master are many light years yet away!


Stacy

[Chuckt]

What kind of Basic?

[bitfogav]

I now realize that I have given you too much power...

But on another note. I really have hit a wall with assembly so I would like to see if I can make bigger and better things with a language that can help me achieve that.

This program I am using is great. You code in basic and when you compile it, it actually gives you the hex and also asm output. It's interesting to see how 10 lines of basic turn into about 100 in assembly

What is the name of the program that you are using for BASIC?

[brad]

Yesterday basically confirmed it for me.

I was programming a 24 x 24 led matrix that I had made for work and I wanted to try and manipulate some graphics. (I.E. make the turn around or morph a little bit etc...) but it is just so hard in assembly. (so, so hard!)

I was looking into C, but from what I have seen - Basic is a far better way to go.

The program I am using is called swordfish, you can either get the free version or the paid version (which is around $150)

Having said that, the only difference between the two is that the free version has a variable limit of 200. But that is ALOT of variables! I don't think I would ever need to use 200 variables.

Take this for example - Here is a Basic program that will display "Analog input AN0" on one of those 16x2 LCD displays.

Code: Select all

Define LCD_BITS = 8  'allowed values are 4 and 8 - the number of data interface lines
Define LCD_DREG = PORTB
Define LCD_DBIT = 0  '0 or 4 for 4-bit interface, ignored for 8-bit interface
Define LCD_RSREG = PORTD
Define LCD_RSBIT = 1
Define LCD_EREG = PORTD
Define LCD_EBIT = 3
Define LCD_RWREG = PORTD  'set to 0 if not used, 0 is default
Define LCD_RWBIT = 2  'set to 0 if not used, 0 is default
Define LCD_COMMANDUS = 2000  'delay after LCDCMDOUT, default value is 5000
Define LCD_DATAUS = 50  'delay after LCDOUT, default value is 100
Define LCD_INITMS = 2  'delay used by LCDINIT, default value is 100
'the last three Define directives set the values suitable for simulation; they should be omitted for a real device

Dim an0 As Word

AllDigital  'configure all pins for digital use
ADCON1 = 0x0e  'configure AN0 input for analog use
Lcdinit 1  'initialize LCD module; cursor is blinking

loop:
	Adcin 0, an0
	Lcdcmdout LcdClear  'clear LCD display
	Lcdout "Analog input AN0"  'text for the line 1
	Lcdcmdout LcdLine2Home  'set cursor at the beginning of line 2
	Lcdout "Value: ", #an0  'formatted text for line 2
	WaitMs 1  'larger value should be used in real device
Goto loop  'loop forever

Once compiled, it also gives me the equivalent assembly code:

Code: Select all

; Compiled with: PIC18 Simulator IDE - Evaluation Copy v2.76
; Microcontroller model: PIC18F4520
; Clock frequency: 8.0 MHz
;
;       The address of 'an0' (word) (global) is 0x014
	an0 EQU 0x014
; Begin
	R0L EQU 0x000
	R0H EQU 0x001
	R1L EQU 0x002
	R1H EQU 0x003
	R2L EQU 0x004
	R2H EQU 0x005
	R3L EQU 0x006
	R3H EQU 0x007
	R4L EQU 0x008
	R4H EQU 0x009
	R5L EQU 0x00A
	R5H EQU 0x00B
	R6L EQU 0x00C
	R6H EQU 0x00D
	R7L EQU 0x00E
	R7H EQU 0x00F
	R8L EQU 0x010
	R8H EQU 0x011
	R9L EQU 0x012
	R9H EQU 0x013
	ORG 0x000000
	BSF RCON,IPEN
	GOTO L0002
	ORG 0x000008
	RETFIE FAST
	ORG 0x000018
	RETFIE FAST
; Begin of program
L0002:
; 1: Define LCD_BITS = 8 'allowed values are 4 and 8 - the number of data interface lines
; 2: Define LCD_DREG = PORTB
; 3: Define LCD_DBIT = 0 '0 or 4 for 4-bit interface, ignored for 8-bit interface
; 4: Define LCD_RSREG = PORTD
; 5: Define LCD_RSBIT = 1
; 6: Define LCD_EREG = PORTD
; 7: Define LCD_EBIT = 3
; 8: Define LCD_RWREG = PORTD 'set to 0 if not used, 0 is default
; 9: Define LCD_RWBIT = 2 'set to 0 if not used, 0 is default
; 10: Define LCD_COMMANDUS = 2000 'delay after LCDCMDOUT, default value is 5000
; 11: Define LCD_DATAUS = 50 'delay after LCDOUT, default value is 100
; 12: Define LCD_INITMS = 2 'delay used by LCDINIT, default value is 100
; 13: 'the last three Define directives set the values suitable for simulation; they should be omitted for a real device
; 14: 
; 15: Dim an0 As Word
; 16: 
; 17: AllDigital 'configure all pins for digital use
	MOVLW 0x0F
	MOVWF 0xFC1
	MOVLW 0x07
	MOVWF 0xFB4
; 18: ADCON1 = 0x0e 'configure AN0 input for analog use
	MOVLW 0x0E
	MOVWF 0xFC1
; 19: Lcdinit 1 'initialize LCD module; cursor is blinking
	BCF 0xF83,3
	BCF 0xF83,1
	BCF 0xF83,2
	BCF 0xF95,3
	BCF 0xF95,1
	BCF 0xF95,2
	CLRF 0xF93
	MOVLW 0x02
	MOVWF R0L
	MOVLW 0x00
	MOVWF R0H
	CALL W001
	MOVLW 0x33
	CALL LC02
	MOVLW 0x33
	CALL LC02
	MOVLW 0x33
	CALL LC02
	MOVLW 0x38
	CALL LC02
	MOVLW 0x0D
	CALL LC02
	MOVLW 0x01
	CALL LC02
; 20: 
; 21: loop:
L0001:
; 22: 	Adcin 0, an0
	BSF ADCON2,ADFM
	MOVLW 0x00
	MOVWF R0L
	CALL A001
	MOVF ADRESL,W
	MOVWF 0x014
	MOVF ADRESH,W
	MOVWF 0x015
; 23: 	Lcdcmdout LcdClear 'clear LCD display
	MOVLW 0x01
	CALL LC02
; 24: 	Lcdout "Analog input AN0" 'text for the line 1
	MOVLW 0x41
	CALL LC01
	MOVLW 0x6E
	CALL LC01
	MOVLW 0x61
	CALL LC01
	MOVLW 0x6C
	CALL LC01
	MOVLW 0x6F
	CALL LC01
	MOVLW 0x67
	CALL LC01
	MOVLW 0x20
	CALL LC01
	MOVLW 0x69
	CALL LC01
	MOVLW 0x6E
	CALL LC01
	MOVLW 0x70
	CALL LC01
	MOVLW 0x75
	CALL LC01
	MOVLW 0x74
	CALL LC01
	MOVLW 0x20
	CALL LC01
	MOVLW 0x41
	CALL LC01
	MOVLW 0x4E
	CALL LC01
	MOVLW 0x30
	CALL LC01
; 25: 	Lcdcmdout LcdLine2Home 'set cursor at the beginning of line 2
	MOVLW 0xC0
	CALL LC02
; 26: 	Lcdout "Value: ", #an0 'formatted text for line 2
	MOVLW 0x56
	CALL LC01
	MOVLW 0x61
	CALL LC01
	MOVLW 0x6C
	CALL LC01
	MOVLW 0x75
	CALL LC01
	MOVLW 0x65
	CALL LC01
	MOVLW 0x3A
	CALL LC01
	MOVLW 0x20
	CALL LC01
	MOVF 0x014,W
	MOVWF R2L
	MOVF 0x015,W
	MOVWF R2H
	CALL LC21
; 27: 	WaitMs 1 'larger value should be used in real device
	MOVLW 0x01
	MOVWF R0L
	CLRF R0H
	CALL W001
; 28: Goto loop 'loop forever
	GOTO L0001
; End of program
L0003:	BRA L0003
; Division Routine
D001:	MOVLW 0x10
	MOVWF R3L
	CLRF R2H
	CLRF R2L
D002:	RLCF R0H,W
	RLCF R2L,F
	RLCF R2H,F
	MOVF R1L,W
	SUBWF R2L,F
	MOVF R1H,W
	BTFSS STATUS,C
	INCFSZ R1H,W
	SUBWF R2H,F
	BTFSC STATUS,C
	BRA D003
	MOVF R1L,W
	ADDWF R2L,F
	MOVF R1H,W
	BTFSC STATUS,C
	INCFSZ R1H,W
	ADDWF R2H,F
	BCF STATUS,C
D003:	RLCF R0L,F
	RLCF R0H,F
	DECFSZ R3L,F
	BRA D002
	MOVF R0L,W
	RETURN
; Waitms Routine
W001:	MOVF R0L,F
	BTFSC STATUS,Z
	BRA W002
	RCALL W003
	DECF R0L,F
	NOP
	NOP
	NOP
	NOP
	NOP
	BRA W001
W002:	MOVF R0H,F
	BTFSC STATUS,Z
	RETURN
	RCALL W003
	DECF R0H,F
	DECF R0L,F
	BRA W001
W003:	MOVLW 0x0C
	MOVWF R2H
W004:	DECFSZ R2H,F
	BRA W004
	NOP
	NOP
	MOVLW 0x26
	MOVWF R1L
W005:	DECFSZ R1L,F
	BRA W006
	RCALL W007
	RCALL W007
	NOP
	NOP
	RETURN
W006:	RCALL W007
	BRA W005
W007:	MOVLW 0x0D
	MOVWF R2L
W008:	DECFSZ R2L,F
	BRA W008
	NOP
	RETURN
; Waitus Routine - Byte Argument
X001:	MOVLW 0x05
	SUBWF R4L,F
	BTFSS STATUS,C
	RETURN
	BRA X002
X002:	MOVLW 0x03
	SUBWF R4L,F
	BTFSS STATUS,C
	RETURN
	BRA X002
; Waitus Routine - Word Argument
Y001:	MOVLW 0x08
	SUBWF R4L,F
	CLRF WREG
	BTFSS STATUS,C
	ADDLW 0x01
	SUBWF R4H,F
	BTFSS STATUS,C
	RETURN
	BRA Y002
Y002:	MOVLW 0x05
	SUBWF R4L,F
	CLRF WREG
	BTFSS STATUS,C
	ADDLW 0x01
	SUBWF R4H,F
	BTFSS STATUS,C
	RETURN
	BRA Y002
; Adcin Routine
A001:	RLCF R0L,F
	RLCF R0L,F
	MOVLW 0x80
	ANDWF ADCON2,F
	MOVLW 0x3C
	ANDWF R0L,W
	IORLW 0x01
	MOVWF ADCON0
	MOVLW 0x03
	IORWF ADCON2,F
	MOVLW 0x14
	MOVWF R4L
	CALL X001
	BSF ADCON0,GO
A002:	BTFSC ADCON0,GO
	BRA A002
	BCF PIR1,ADIF
	BCF ADCON0,ADON
	RETURN
; Lcdout Routine
LC01:	BSF 0xF83,1
	BCF 0xF83,2
	MOVWF 0xF81
	RCALL LCX1
	MOVLW 0x32
	MOVWF R4L
	CALL X001
	RETURN
LCX1:	BSF 0xF83,3
	NOP
	NOP
	BCF 0xF83,3
	NOP
	NOP
	RETURN
; Lcdcmdout Routine
LC02:	BCF 0xF83,1
	BCF 0xF83,2
	MOVWF 0xF81
	RCALL LCX1
	MOVLW 0xD0
	MOVWF R4L
	MOVLW 0x07
	MOVWF R4H
	CALL Y001
	RETURN
; Lcdout Decimal Conversion Routine
LC21:	BSF R3H,7
	MOVLW 0x27
	MOVWF R1H
	MOVLW 0x10
	RCALL LC22
	MOVLW 0x03
	MOVWF R1H
	MOVLW 0xE8
	RCALL LC22
	CLRF R1H
	MOVLW 0x64
	RCALL LC22
	CLRF R1H
	MOVLW 0x0A
	RCALL LC22
	MOVF R2L,W
	BRA LC23
LC22:	MOVWF R1L
	MOVF R2H,W
	MOVWF R0H
	MOVF R2L,W
	MOVWF R0L
	CALL D001
	MOVF R0L,W
	BTFSS STATUS,Z
	BCF R3H,7
	BTFSC R3H,7
	RETURN
LC23:	ADDLW 0x30
	CALL LC01
	RETURN
; End of listing
	END

That's alot of code!

[sdudley]

MikroElectronica has some nice resources and offer free "online" books.

Here is a book on programming in basic:
http://www.mikroe.com/eng/products/view ... sic/#order

You can read the entire book online for FREE, or purchase a hard copy for $24.00!

They have several books available and all their books are very well explained, easy to read, and have FANTASTIC detailed graphic illustrations.

Here is the link to a book called PIC Microcontrollers:
http://www.mikroe.com/eng/categories/vi ... lications/

Here is the link to all the books they have available and several are free to read online. A wealth of knowledge at your finger tips!

http://www.mikroe.com/eng/categories/vi ... lications/

Stacy

[brad]

Thanks for the links!

I was actually looking into using their compiler but it was a bit expensive.

The good thing is that they have alot of resources freely available.

I think I will go and make a new forum dedicated to Basic programming.

I will post in there my findings and little tips and tricks to the new language.

[sdudley]

...I think I will go and make a new forum dedicated to Basic programming...

Basically, I think that's a good idea!

[brad]

One day you too will turn to the basic side, young sky walker.

[Garth]

I really have hit a wall with assembly so I would like to see if I can make bigger and better things with a language that can help me achieve that.

Without speed and memory penalties, you can advance a lot by using macros, including to make program structures like you would find in higher-level languages (although a lot of BASICs don't even have much in the way of program structures). I have an article and code for doing this in 6502 assembly at http://wilsonminesco.com/StructureMacros/index.html which I will be adding to and then do a similar thing for PIC16 assembly [Edit: done] since, after doing a lot of PIC projects for products we've sold, I'm just now finally doing the first one with the program-structure macros and I want to make sure they all work right before posting code. I have gone as much as two to three pages in the application with no labels, because the structures take care of it. The indentation and somewhat English-like code make it quite clear what you're doing, unlike regular assembly. No spaghetti code. You can have for example lots of variations of IF...ELSE...ENDIF, BEGIN...WHILE...REPEAT, FOR...NEXT, CASE statements, etc., and nest the structures.

[brad]

After leaving Assembly for Basic and C I have since discovered ways that I could have done in ASM what I wanted without to much difficulty. At the time though I had no idea!