Release PropellerIDE


gadgetoid

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Ahoy! It's been a looong time since I tried packaging anything for the Pandora, but I've compiled and packaged Propeller IDE , which is a SPIN-language IDE for the Parallax Propeller (P8X32A) Micro-controller.

The codebase has recently changed hands from the original authors and has been reinvigorated with a new spurt of development as part of Parallax's push to open-source their Micro and all the software needed to program it. ( And Brett, the current developer, wants the IDE ship-shape for his own project, LameStation )

It's built from release 0.25.0 - https://github.com/parallaxinc/PropellerIDE/releases/tag/0.25.0

The SPIN language is a purpose-built language specifically for the Propeller, there are loads of code libraries and counterpart examples available at: http://obex.parallax.com/

Due to logistics ( all my Propeller stuff is at work ) I haven't tested the uploader functionality yet but, famous last words, it should work!

I don't know if anyone will use this; but we have the Arduino IDE, so why not one from the guys who basically started the hobby micro-controller movement!

Enjoy!

Edit: Tested upload and serial communication with a Propeller ASC+ board. Works a treat. I use a Sparkfun Cerberus cable, which has a built-in USB hub and is almost magical: http://shop.pimoroni.com/products/sparkfun-cerberus-usb-cable-6ft

Edit: Updated with screenshots and description.
 
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How does this compare to Brad's Spin Tool (the old tool for cross-platform spin)? http://www.fnarfbargle.com/bst.html
Good question. Since I haven't actually used BST for more than a couple of minutes I don't think I can give you a properly informed answer. But the key feature of PropellerIDE is that it's presently in active development, and that means it's continually improving. 

There's still a lot of out-with-the-old to get through before new features are taken into consideration, but if there's something about the SPIN workflow that bugs you ( I can list a dozen such things ) then there's a chance it could change.

Are you a fellow Propeller fanatic? I'm a fresh convert- as of a few months ago when I picked up some of their boards and decided to base a product ( Raspberry Pi HAT ) around the Propeller.
 
I have propellor experience because it's been used in DEFCON badges. SPIN is weird, but the ability to do 8 pins of realtime IO is awesome.
 
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SPIN is definitely weird. It's also under threat of extinction. OpenSpin hasn't been maintained for a while, and bstc is very vehemently not open source :(

These are problems I want to help overcome by making more noise about the Propeller. Like you say, 8 pins of realtime IO *is* awesome and it holds its own against modern micros while being simpler ( no peripheral features like ADC or interrupts ) and thus easier to understand.

Compiling PropellerIDE for the Pandora was more a why-the-hell-not experiment, though. It works, though. Reminds me, I need to update the thread!
 
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