Programming and Motors

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Now is a good time to save your program to disk. Experienced programmers save their programs often - every few minutes when they are making changes. That way they don't lose everything if the computer crashes or RoboLab locks up. Inexperienced programmers don't always save often enough, until they get experience losing their work!

Use File > Save to save your program. Give your program a descriptive name so you know what it is next time, like foward2sec. You can save your program to any of the places below. Ask your coach which is best for your site.

file server - A file server is a central computer that stores files for users anywhere on a network. If your site has a file server and you have a personal directory there, this is the best place to store your program files, because they are safe and you can access your files from any computer on the network. You may need to log in with a username and password to access the file server. From File > Save, choose the file server disk in Save In:, choose your personal directory, name your file, and click Save.

floppy disk - If your computer has a floppy disk drive, you can store your programs on a floppy disk. That way you can take the floppy disk to whatever computer you are using each day, and your programs will be safe between club meetings. Write your name on the floppy label, and have your coach keep your floppy in a safe place between club meetings. Make a second floppy once in a while for backup, because sometimes floppies go bad. From File > Save, choose the floppy disk in Save In: (for example "3 1/2 Floppy a:"), name your file, and click Save.

local hard disk - You can also save to your computer's local hard drive. This is fine for your own personal computer, but has some drawbacks for a club. First, you have to use the same computer each club meeting, because you can't read your files from any other computer. Second, there is a chance that another user will accidentally delete your files between club meetings. Ask your coach where is the best place to store your program files on the local hard disk. Many sites have a special directory for student files. From File > Save, go to the student directory and create a new folder just for your files. Name your personal folder with your name or initials. Select your personal folder, name your file, and click Save.

For the three options above, use File > Open in the Diagram window to open your program file the next time you need it. Navigate to the correct directory.

RoboLab Program Vault - RoboLab has a special place on the local hard disk you can use for program files. This is the default location for saving files with File > Save. You can save your programs there, but other club members who use this computer may save files in the same directory, which will be confusing. You can open files from this directory from the Pilot and Inventor screen you pass through when starting RoboLab. Select Inventor Vault and My Programs.

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