Difference between revisions of "Main Page"

Revision as of 09:33, 4 March 2014

**Flowcode 6**


Developer	Matrix Multimedia
Initial release	3rd September 2013
Development status	Active
Written in	C++
Operating system	Windows XP Windows Vista Windows 7 Windows 8
Platform	IA-32 and x86-64
Available in	Over 20 languages
Type	Advanced graphical programming software
License	Proprietary
Website	www.matrixmultimedia.com
Blog site	www.matrixmultimedia.com/blog

Welcome to the Matrix Multimedia wiki, here you can find out and learn all you need to know about Flowcode 6 (and more!), from easy to follow exercises such as creating and saving a flowchart to technical API functions.

From this page you can navigate the wiki and follow the base learning structure which has been set in place for your benefit, you can also search for articles to find out specific functions or components for useful information to help you get the most out of Flowcode 6.

There are links to our official Youtube videos throughout the wiki to help you learn about Flowcode, these videos are a few minutes (1 minute - 4 minutes) long and show you how to use features and functionality in Flowcode, these resources are very useful and can help you further understand Flowcode.

These videos can also be found on the Flowcode Help Videos page at the Matrix Multimedia website.

For more information about Flowcode as well as news, announcements and events including our general activity at Matrix see our blog site www.matrixmultimedia.com/blog, which is updated regularly and consists of various articles from different staff, from information and events in the new building to new additions to the team as well as new projects and applications.

Flowcode Help

Flowcode Basics

Learn how to use Flowcode 6 and participate in practical exercises to improve your skills and knowledge of Flowcode. This explains the basics of Flowcode and how to use it effectively and efficiently. All users should at least skim through this section to learn about new features and methods integrated into Flowcode 6. New users are advised to start here to learn Flowcode from the base up.

Concepts

Complex methods, techniques and functionality used in Flowcode explained in a robust and practical manner, with reference to conventions used outside of Flowcode as well as information linking to functionality directly integrated within Flowcode.

Exercises

List of all exercises including the exercises used in Flowcode Basics section as well as additional exercises to further improve your skills, the exercises are set in a practical and informative structure. Advanced users can start here and use these exercises to familiarize themselves with the new interface, features and functionality.

Component Help

List of components which provide detailed information about individual components as well as examples of them in use, the information provided includes component and simulation macro references as well as property references and component functionality.

Simulation Events

Structured overview of Events providing technical information for individual functions, each article contains information of the parameters and return value, a detailed description and an example of the Event.

Simulation API

See also API Reference

Structured overview of Simulation API explaining individual functions and technical information, the API reference page also provides a similar purpose although in a more open and expanded list to show each individual function under its class.

Features

This section lists the articles about features in Flowcode 6 which are structured into the Flowcode Basics section so you can easily find information on specific features and learn how to use them effectively and efficiently. This section helps accompany other content to provide extra information to help you use the features correctly and understand them enough to use them to their full potential.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently asked questions (FAQ) regarding Flowcode 6, including changes from version 5, new features and altered functionality. Commonly asked questions feature general information regarding component properties, local, constant and global variables and exporting macros.

Upgrading from previous versions

Migrating to V6

A mix of important information for migrating/upgrading from version 5 to version 6 of Flowcode including practical changes such as the positioning of components on the panels, technical changes such as the software & hardware channel selection changes and other information e.g. a table listing the status of component migration to Flowcode 6.

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 <br />__NOTOC__<br />
-==Flowcode Methodology==
-===Design===
-Design your system by starting off with a blank canvas and dragging on the functionality you require. From a simple [[Component:_ID_a7b05886_784c_48c8_a6f6_cc371c7728e1|LED]] or [[Component:_ID_953a042a_b2aa_4f2e_94e2_ee2979cfc92e|switch]] to an [[Component:_ID_7aad74d6_b24e_4dab_91eb_5d72a973f12d|analogue input]] or even advanced [[Component:_ID_0d02ccfd_4cda_42b8_91d8_5392f491f9af|GSM modem]] Flowcode comes with built in components allowing you to design complex systems quickly and easily. To facilitate design simplicity we have added features like the [[Project_Explorer|Project explorer]], [[Find_and_Replace|Search and replace]], an updated [[Dashboard_Panel|2D panel]] and a new [[System_Panel|3D panel]] all of which are designed to reduce the amount of time to develop a project.
-===Simulate===
-The simulation is designed to provide a test bed for your code to not only allow you to gain familiarity with how to program but also to allow you to build confidence in your routines before getting anywhere near embedded hardware. The simulation is also capable of communicating via [[Component:_TCP_Base_(Comms)|Ethernet]], [[Component:_Bluetooth_(EB024,_Generic_AT)_(Wireless)|Bluetooth]], [[Component:_USB_Serial_(Comms)|USB]] or via a [[Component:_COM_Port_(Advanced)|COM]] port allowing extensive support to connect to existing hardware. Also included is the ability for the simulation to execute macros in an [[DLL_Support|external DLL]] allowing for expansion and integration with existing libraries of code. Finally the simulation has a large library of functions to allow you to do things like read/write a file on the system, manipulate panel properties and positions, parsing through the [[Component:_FCD_helper_(Advanced)|chip definition file]], etc. Many of these inbuilt functions have been included in components to allow simulation for example the [[Component:_FAT_(SD,_SDHC)_(Storage)|FAT SD card]] component. These features come together to allow systems like [[SCADA|S.C.A.D.A]] to be employed where a single computer can both survey and control the systems connected to it.
-===Test===
-As well as testing your code using the simulation and various panels there are additional features built into Flowcode designed to aid in the testing of both your code and your hardware. The Console window allows some of the more advanced components to automatically pass data to text fields that can easily be seen and edited by the user, [[Component:_FAT_(SD,_SDHC)_(Storage)#Reading_data_from_a_text_file|console demo]]. The Scope window allows analogue and communications components to automatically pass data to graphical traces which again can aid understanding of a system or a bug, [[Component:_Control_(DSP)#Proportional_.26_Integral_Control|scope demo]]. The [[Using_the_Data_Console|Console]] and [[Using_the_Data_Scope|Scope]] can also be used directly by your program allowing you to easily add your own debug routines.
-E-blocks allow for an easy way to plug together various combinations of hardware allowing you very fast and simple prototyping. Once you have a system up and running you can use the schematics in the E-block datasheets to generate your own custom circuitry using only the specific pieces you require. Saying this Flowcode is designed to work with almost any hardware peripheral setup so E-blocks are in no way a must have.
-Coming soon: Ghost Hardware Support. Ghost hardware is a chip with USB communications that connects itself to all of the pins of your target microcontroller allowing you to create a snapshot of the activity external to the microcontroller. Combined with in circuit debug this provides a very powerful way to debug your hardware and software at the same time. Currently the only Ghost compatible hardware is the version 9 EB006 PIC Multiprogrammer E-block.
-===Deploy===
-Flowcode supports a range of Matrix products directly but also comes with built in support for programmers such as [[Supporting_Third_Party_Programming_Tools|PICkit 2]], [[Supporting_Third_Party_Programming_Tools|PICkit 3]], [[Supporting_Third_Party_Programming_Tools|AVRISP vII]] and [[Supporting_Third_Party_Programming_Tools|Arduino]]. In truth Flowcode can work with any embedded programmer that can either be driven via a command line call or can manually be passed a compiled binary file e.g. projectname.hex.
-Also available from Matrix are ECIO targets which are low cost project boards and MIAC which is a rugged PLC type controller. Both platforms consisting of a microcontroller with built in USB programming and [[Component:_MIAC_USB_Slave_(MIAC_Module)|USB communications compatibility]], allowing the Flowcode simulation to communicate directly with the hardware.
-<br />
 ==Flowcode Help==