External Links

Creative Science Centre

 

IDE

FEATURES

  • Does not need installing
  • Uses PSPad program editor
  • Serial communication
  • TCP socket communication
  • Boot loader
  • Various utiltiies

Installation

Download the current version and unpack into a directory, double click on bvserial.exe. This will open BVSerial. Connect to a com port using COMnnn or connect to a socket using socket://<ip address>:<port>

Here we are connecting to a socket

In the screen area type .edit (dot edit). This will bring up the editor.

Add the above text or copy and paste from below, the press F4 which will transfer it to ByPic, in the back screen type hello.

// comment
function hello()
dim j
    for j = 1 to 10
        print "\r\nHello World"
    next
endf

Some Pointers:

  1. When pressing F4 the editor window needs to be active, i.e you have clicked in the window
  2. The focus normally transfers to the BVS windows when transfer is complete.
  3. To get rid of the project area on the left, nor shown in the images above press SHIFT+F2
  4. If it is not working then you may already have PSP installed

Editor Extras

Syntax Highlighter

The Syntax highlighter can be updated from the contents of the connected device. Use scripts and highlighter update. This will update the ByVac.INI file and changes will be made on the restart of PsPad.

Project files

Sometimes a file will be supplied as part of a project or it may be a library file that needs modifying for example:

http://www.byvac.com/mBlib/flb/Library/2016/lib_touch.bas

To use (see) this file, copy it by selecting and pressing CRTL+C then use the script menu in the editor, Open URL in clip.

Open file at cursor (F8)

This is useful for opening include or add files, place the cursor on the file name and press F8 or use the script menu

Include & Add files

A file may be included or added to the current file, or any other files.

// #include "this file will be saved to Flash"
// #add "this file will be saved to RAM"

Example

// #include "http://byvac.com/mBlib/flb/Tutorial/PIC32MX1_Family/01_Start/project_2.bas"

Notes:

  • Partial file names can be used if the file is open in the editor
  • The include or add must be at the start fo the line exactly // #include or // #add
  • The name of the file must be in double quotes
  • Include or add can be nested
  • An add file cannot be part of an include file
 

FAQ

1) There is no script menu on my copy of PsPAD?

This is because you are using an existing version of PSPad you have previously installed. The easiest solution is to not use it. Simply run BvSerial first then type .edit in the black terminal window. See also  question 3.

2) Is it possible to use the editor without BvSerial?

Yes: in the install directory, go inside the edit directory and double click on PSPad.exe

3) I already have PSPad installed can I use that instead of the one that comes with BvSerial?

No need, simply type .edit when BvSerial is open and that will open a correct version of PsPad

4) The script menu looks different?

There are updates within the same BVS version so the version may be out of date, simply download again. The uploaded date is in on the download table.

History

Version 16_b July 2016

  • Scripts are no longer required as BVS noe supports // #include
  • This text only now includes F4 details, the other commands still exist but are not deemed to be useful.

Version 17 August 2016

This is a complete re-write. It now uses include or add files (no scripts anymore) also the syntax can be dynamically updated.

BvSerial

This documentation is for BvSerail only and is only needed for troubleshooting or reference. Linux users should run from the Python source code, the latest version is 14 as from 15 on there are specific items for Windows that stop it working for Linux.

Dot commands

The terminal is purposely 'low tech' so that it can be used on several platforms and so to anything typed that begins with a dot '.' is interpreted as a command. dot h ('.h') is the main help command and the more complex commands have additional help by typing the command after the .h. So for example to get more help on text load then type .h tl

     Console Commands

  • .port - changes the com port
  • .baud - to change the Baud rate
  • .stop - sets the number of stop bits
  • .esc 0,1,2,3 - shows different output, i.e .esc3 will show only hex
  • .lf, .cr or .crlf determins how line ends are handled
  • .rts - sets and resets
  • .info - shows the current port, baud rate etc.

     Extended Commands

  • .r - this asserts the DTR which will reset most ByPic devices
  • .tl - text load - (with dialog) for loading ByPic Programs
  • .tll - reloads last ByPic program
  • .tlf - as .tl but specify start and file name on command line
  • .clip - loads program in clipboard (used with editor)
  • .scr - loads a script file
  • .edit - starts the program editor
  • .upm - uploads a media file
  • .upf - uploads a file or directory to an SD Card on a ByPic device
  • .bl - (with dialog) invokes the boot loader for updating ByPic firmaware
  • .loopbreak - breaks a continuous loop on an MX1 device
  • .sv3 - various sv3 commands

Version Information

Version 07

Fixed handling of #include

Version 08 7 March 2014

  • Removed automatic port select that prevented multiple instances
  • Added socket format reminder

Version 09 13 March 2014

  • Added command (.upf) to transfer files directly from the com port to SD Card on systems where an SD card is available
  • Added [rgb] order section to config file for displays that have different RGB order, order = 0 is RGB, order = 1 is BGR
  • Last port used can be selected by pressing enter.
  • Fixed .tl command when loading include files from current directory.

Version 10 23 March 2014

  • Added dialogs for .upm and .upf (uploading files)
  • Added version indicator

version 11 21 August 2014

  • Added .bl (boot loader) option, requires p32bl.exe, included in zip file

Version 13 9 September 2014

  • Added an editor
  • Added a named pipe for external communication
  • Added .clip command
  • Added .tlf command
  • Added .scr command
  • Editor has VBScrips that can communicate with BvSerial for better workflow

Version 14 14 September 2014

  • Clip extended to include scripts
  • Fixed config file
  • Default Baud rate is now 115200

Version 17 10 August 2016

  • Now supports, along with the editor // #include, // #add (script not now needed)
  • Dynamic highlighter update from constants and functions in flash on connected device