Exercises

This page contains structured exercises used throughout Flowcode Help section, and further exercises which are not featured in the Flowcode Help structure, these additional exercises range from expanded exercises on camera control and panel navigation to creating, testing, exporting and importing components.

We recommend going through the Flowcode section of the Introduction to Microcontrollers course which has been updated for the latest version of Flowcode and is available for free at the learning center section on the main www.matrixtsl.com website.

A set of videos are available showing some projects using Flowcode as well as talking you through some example programs. Flowcode video playlist

Getting Used To The Flowcode Environment

• Setting Up the System Panel - Set up the system panel to your preference following instructions
• Controlling the Camera - Learn how to control the camera on the system panel
• Setting Up the Dashboard Panel - Learn how to use and configure the dashboard panel effectively
• Creating a Flowchart - Preparing and and planning a program by adding icons to a flowchart to be expanded into a program.
• Configuring Icons and Variables - Configuring the flowchart icons and variables to effective operate a program using components.
• Adding Devices to a Program - Adding, configuring and manipulating components for suitable and effective use in a program.
• Simulating a Program - Testing and simulating a program in Flowcode using various methods and techniques of simulation.
• Transferring a Program to the Microcontroller - Testing and running a program on hardware, compiling to a chip and the process required to do so.
• Documenting a Flowchart - Using comments to explain and describe your Flowchart and the process of the program.
• Expanding a Program - Expanding your program further to increase functionality, effectiveness and efficiency.
• Using Component Macros - Creating and expanding a program by using icons and components, specifically Component Macros.
• Using Simulation Macros - Creating and expanding a program by using icons and components, specifically Simulation Macros.
• Using Macros - Using Macros and local variables to effectively create and organise a program including components.
• Inserting Code Into Flowcode - Adding custom code into a program and integrating it into the flowchart for use with components.
• Using Interrupts - Using interrupts, custom interrupts and timers to call macros and configuring interrupt properties.
• Using Analogue Input Devices - Creating a functioning program consisting of an LED and an analogue (ADC) dial to drive the system.

Using The Component Panels

• Adding Objects to the System Panel - Using the System Panel with components and configuring options for suitable use with components.
• Controlling Shapes on the System Panel - Manipulating and displaying components on the System Panel and controlling the camera and views.
• Adding Objects to the Dashboard Panel - Configuring the Dashboard Panel to manipulate components and component properties accordingly.
• Controlling Multiple Objects - Using the Dashboard and System Panel together to effectively program and simulate a system.
• Controlling Collisions on the System Panel - Configuring the System Panel to display and control object collision using different methods.

Component Creation

• Create an LED Component - Creating a flowchart revolving around an LED component driven by simulation macros and functions.
• Exporting the LED Component - Exporting and saving the component, including simulation macros and properties and variables.
• Importing the LED Component - Importing the component into a new flowchart and preparing it for testing in simulation.
• Testing an Imported Component - Testing the imported LED by creating a flowchart program to run in simulation to test the component.
• Building a Complex Component - The Traffic Cone - Building and programming a component by grouping multiple elements on the System Panel.
• Exporting the Traffic Cone - Exporting and saving the component, including simulation macros and properties to prepare for testing.
• Importing and Testing the Traffic Cone - Import the component and test it in simulation by calling the previously programmed simulation macro.