program Basic stamp in C/C++?

You don't need, nor would you want, to convert one high-level language to another, which then internally compiles to some object code run under and interpreted language runtime embedded on the BASIC Stamp. You merely replace microcontrollers rather than go through all that trouble.

For Java, Parallax themselves makes a 24-pin Stamp, called the Javelin Stamp. There are other Java-embedded products, some of which are pin-compatible with the BASIC Stamp -- so you can use it directly on the BOE board -- and some that aren't.

C++ is fairly unnecessary for a small microcontroller that only has 1-2K of RAM in it to begin with; C is your better choice. Some people like the PIC, but for C programming I personally believe the Atmel AVR is the better choice. These are not pin-compatible with the BASIC Stamp, so you need to devise a carrier if you plan to continue to use the BOE board.

-- Gordon

A simple PIC or AVR can be programmed on freely available C compilers. And you don't need much in the way of extra components to get them running.

I like the Muvium chips that run Java; actually they are a PIC with a special bootloader and a Java bytecode -> PIC machine code compiler.

ok then I think I will first get the normal boe bot with Basic Stamp and learn its language to learn basic electronics and stuff. And could you tell me what chips I can insert in the slot are going to work?

I'll probably also get the Mark III that looks pretty good and cheap. What version would you recommend for my needs? OOPic or preprogrammed-PIC?

Thanks!

D. Jay Newman wrote:

If i were you i would avoid the basic stamp all together. I went with the pic family and i love them, the avr's are another flavor, different flavors but its still ice cream. The basic stamp is a pic with an interpretor, which in my opinion serves no greater purpose than to strip the real power of the pic from your hands and charge way too much money in order to do so. In order to get started with pics youll have to buy a programmer a compiler can be found for free. Then you can get actual millions of instructions per seconds more program space more ram and the peripheral features that make these microcontrollers wonderful in the first place. Then each additional microcontroller will cost you

MicroMint sells a nifty little module called the MicroBolt, which is basically an ARM7 (which is programmable in C and C++) and which is pin compatible with the BASIC Stamp.

I never really payed too much attention to these 'user friendly' microcontrollers, but when i found out what i was missing out on i litterally just chucked my basic stamp in the garbage. If these items give you access to the features of the avrs, pics, etc and are reasonably priced by all means go along. However i cant understand the concept of paying more to lose your peripherals in order to gain a language so high level that many things arent possible to do Is it possible to do a timer bassed interrupt routine with a basic stamp? if it is maybe im underestimating them, regardless for 50 bucks it better dance and sing too what about the bolt thingy does it have an a/d converter i know im being prejudiced but rightly so your missing out on things thats why its user friendly