Page 66 - The Unofficial Guide to Lego Mindstorms Robots

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Now compile the source code using the nqc command:

C:\>nqc Hank.nqc

C:\>

If you made a mistake typing in the program, nqc gives you a list of errors. Otherwise, you're ready to download the program
with the -d option:

c:\>nq c -d Hank.nqc
Downloading Program:…..complete

c:\>

(If you need to specify a serial port different from the default, use the -S option.)

Go ahead and run the program. When you're done playing, come back and get some background on the software that runs the
RCX.

RCX Software Architecture

Writing a program for the RCX involves a handful of software layers, both on the development PC and on the RCX itself.
Figure 4-1 shows an overview of the important pieces.

Figure 4-1.
RCX software architecture

ROM

The RCX is a small computer that is based on a Hitachi H8/3292 microcontroller. The RCX contains two kinds of memory:
Read Only Memory (ROM) and Random