BlocklyProp Solo is a visual online programming tool. It works with robots and development boards that have a Propeller 1 Multicore Microcontroller brain, such as the ActivityBot 360° and Propeller FLiP module.
BlocklyProp lets you build Propeller programs graphically, piece by piece. Specialized blocks support sensors, servo motors, displays, and more, making it quick and easy to learn programming for new hardware and create complex projects.
NEED HELP? Email support@parallax.com. Teachers can call the Educator Hotline (916) 701-8625.
*The Launcher allows a USB connection for downloading code to your Propeller board. BlocklyProp Solo and the Launcher do not require any login, and do not collect any user data at all.
Even though BlocklyProp Solo is an online programming tool, it nees a utility on your computer to make the USB programming connection with your Propeller board.
BlocklyProp Launcher Downloads [4]
You can also get the latest Launcher for your system through BlocklyProp Solo itself, by making your first project - just follow the steps below. If you have the launcher installed, just skip what doesn't apply.
The BlockyProp Solo editor pane will open up. If you have not installed the Launcher ahead of time, you will see a pink alert bar with the message "BlocklyProp Launcher not found. Click here for instructions."
A download instruction window for BlocklyProp Launcher will open. Under Download the Installer, you should see options for your operating system.
Now you have BlocklyProp Solo open in Chrome and the Launcher and drivers installed. It's time to connect your hardware and run your first project.
BlocklyProp programs are also called "projects." In the Edit pane, you build a project by making selections from the gray block menu to the right of the Edit pane.
A terminal should open up, showing the "Hello!" messsage.
There are two basic places where you can save the BlocklyProp projects you create: on your computer, and on your Propeller board's EEPROM memory. Let's look at the latter first.
When you used the green arrow to run your project, you were loading into RAM. You may have seen the flyover text when you clicked the button (left), or you may have noticed the Load Into RAM popup before the Terminal (right)
RAM, or Random Access Memory, is volatile, meaning it does not retain data if power is interrupted. If you run a project in RAM and then turn your board off and on again, the project will not run again because it is erased from the Propeller microcontroller's RAM.
The Propeller Activity Board WX, Propeller FLiP, and similar development boards have an EEPROM chip connected to the Propeller microcontroller. EEPROM, or Electrically Erasable Read Only Memory, is non-volatile. When you load a project into EEPROM, it stays there even if the power is cycled, until you write over it with new data. Let's try it.
Notice the message now says Load into EEPROM briefly before the terminal opens.
Each time you press the button, the message will reprint in the Terminal.
It is good practice to save your BlocklyProp projects to your computer frequently while you work. In fact, a message will pop up every 20 minutes to remind you. Once you load a project to your Propeller board EEPROM, you cannot get the project out and back into BlocklyProp.
Links
[1] https://www.parallax.com/product/32600
[2] https://www.parallax.com/product/32912
[3] https://www.parallax.com/product/32123
[4] https://www.parallax.com/package/blocklyprop-solo-launcher-and-faq-for-schools-downloads/
[5] https://solo.parallax.com
[6] https://learn.parallax.com/tutorials/language/blocklyprop/getting-started-blocklyprop-solo/connect-and-program