Flow Blocks

Flow Blocks Help

Summary

Flow Blocks is a work in progress. This page is developed with the intention of introducing programming via a traditional flow chart. A flow chart allows connecting blocks that have different shapes for different purposes.

Blocks

Assign allows creating equations like SUM = A + B.
Choose allows choosing a path to take based on comparing variables.
Display (to be implemented) allows printing to the device output.
Input (to be implemented) allows getting characters from the device input.
Label is a place holder for connecting multiple blocks.
Library (to be implemented) allows calling built-in library functions.
Method (to be implemented) allows creating and calling user defined functions.
Set allows setting the value of variables.
Start is the start point of a program and allows adding variables being used.
Stop is the stop point of a program and allows setting an exit code variable.

Tab Controls

Block Tab

Choosing the Block tab will allow adding, deleting, and connecting blocks.

Adding blocks: Click and drag a block from the left side into the workspace. When other blocks are in the workspace, match the top circle (input) of the new block with the bottom (output) of an existing block.
Deleting blocks: Click and drag an existing block to the black garbage can.
Connecting blocks: Click and drag match the top circle (input) of a block to the bottom circle (output) of another block.

Edit Tab

Choosing the Edit tab will allow changing the properties of blocks. Blocks and property descriptions are listed below.

Assign Block:

Allows assigning expressions to a variable. An expression is like 1 + 2. Any expression can be seen in the form "A operator B" where A and B are numbers or variables. Assign produces an equation of the form "V = A operator B".
- The assign top left list box allows setting the variable to assign. If there are no variables listed, then use the Start Block to add a variable.
- The assign top right list box allows setting the operator to use in the expression. For example select "+" to set V = 1 + 2.
- The assign middle left list box allows setting the expression A side type or variable.
- The assign middle right value box allows setting the value of the A side.
- The assign bottom left list box allows setting the expression B side type or variable.
- The assign bottom right value box allows setting the value of the B side.
The rules for numbers are the same as mentioned in the Set Block below. Type selectors will show ERROR if there is a problem with the input. Any ERROR must be corrected before the properties box can be closed. Variables must be added to the Start block before they will show on this block.

Choose Block:

Allows making decisions based on comparing the contents of variables. A choice is made based on the form "A comparison B".
- The choose top left list box will set the left side variable used in the comparison. If the list is empty, variables should be added to the Start Block.
- The choose top right list box sets the condition for comparison.
- The choose bottom left list box will set the right side variable used in the comparison. If the list is empty, variables should be added to the Start Block.
- The choose bottom right list box sets the path to take if the comparison is true. The "Yes" path should be connected to a Label Block or some other block.
The type selector will show ERROR if there is a problem with the input. Any ERROR must be corrected before the properties box can be closed. Variables must be added to the Start block before they will show on this block.

Label Block:

Allows connecting more than one block to a path. The label block does not have any properties. It is typically the destination of a Choose Block.

Set Block:

Allows setting a single variable to a value or another variable. Variable types are VALUE, FLOAT, LETTER, STRING, and ERROR. Selecting a new type will cause the value to be cleared. Types are set automatically based on the value entered.
- A VALUE is an integer like 14 or -2 or a HEX value like 0x1b. Hex values must have 0x plus one more character. Other characters will show an ERROR.
- A FLOAT is a decimal floating point number such as 3.14. Other characters will show an ERROR.
- A LETTER is a character like a,b,c,A,B,C, etc.... A LETTER can also be a symbol like !,@,#,$,%, etc....
- A STRING is a series of LETTERs enclosed in quotes (") such as "Hello, World". Just one quote is not good enough and will show an ERROR.
The type selector will show ERROR if there is a problem with the input. Any ERROR must be corrected before the properties box can be closed. Variables must be added to the Start block before they will show on this block.

Start Block:

Allows adding variables to the program and deleting variables. If no variables are provided, the other blocks will not be of any value. A Start (and a Stop) block must be added to the workspace before code can be created.

Stop Block:

Allows setting the return code for the program. If no variable is selected, the return code will be the "rc" variable, A Stop block must be added to the workspace before code can be created.

Code Tab

Displays the result of a Flow Blocks chart. This lets a user "Select All" then Copy/Paste to their IDE. Theoretically any language can be supported, but C is the only one at the moment. It would be very useful to integrate this with programming a device.

Help Tab

Choosing the Help tab shows this page.

Future Enhancements

Would like to:

Add functionality to the blocks not yet implemented.
Define a way to save and load block descriptions.
Document the block action - code generator interface.
Add customized libraries for different use environments.
Add a simulation of micro-controlled devices.
Add more code generators for more languages.
Finish the help description and make it easier to read.

Flow Blocks Help

Summary

Blocks

Tab Controls

Future Enhancements

Copyright