10 Things You Need

to Know about

Programming

Robots?

1. A robot is an autonomous device that is able to perform complex tasks using sensors to adjust to its environment and to its mission. The current generation of robots is capable

of learning, that is, they can apply information to modify their response based on defined

parameters.

2. A program is a set of behaviors to follow in order to reach a goal or to complete a task. Programming involves the arrangement of specific behaviors to accomplish a task and

reach a goal.

3. A behavior is an action. It must be measurable and discrete.

4. A function is a defined behavior. This means that it has a beginning and an end state.

5. Values that modify a function are the parameters. A parameter is a boundary. In RoboLab, parameters are located in the Modifiers Menu. When the boundaries of a

function are unique, the function is bounded. It is defined. Motor A forward at Power

Level 3 is a bounded function.

6. A statement is a set of functions. Motor A forward at Power Level 3 for three seconds is an example of a statement.

7. A program runs, or executes, when it is operating. During this stage, the program performs all the specific steps to return a value. A true value is your goal.

8. Pseudocode is the short hand for upper level code that describes the major functions in a program. Pseudocode is text based and organized in vertical lines. Each line describes a

single function.

9. The first computers were huge machines that used thousands of vacuum tubes. Insects would be attracted to these tubes and short out the circuit. Often, fixing a broken

computer was as simple as removing the dead bugs that clogged the circuits. Today,

debugging is the process to find and fix errors in the code.

10. A robot must be dynamically stable. This means that it is engineered so that it will perform as expected under all conditions.