Flowol 4 Control Systems and Robotics Software
Programming visually with a flowchart allows the student to focus on the logic of their
solution rather than the syntax of a written program. Flowol supports many
programming elements:
Sequences of instructions
Branching using decisions
Loops (infinite, or based on a condition or count)
Variables and simple variable manipulation
Sub-procedures (parameters optional)
Multiple parallel threads
Core Symbols
The left toolbar shows those symbols which can be dragged onto the workspace. To
keep the toolbar clean and uncluttered, only the symbols which are currently relevant
are shown. An example of this is with variables. If you want to assign a value to a
variable, first add the Variables to the Status Panel by clicking on the X/Y button.
Start/Stop/Sub Symbol
Use the Start symbol at the beginning of the flowchart program. Multiple Start
symbols can be placed, and their programs will run in parallel.
Use the Stop symbol to end a program. Or use the Stop symbol to end a subroutine.
Use the Sub symbol to head a subroutine. Note that you will need to define
subroutines before they can be called from the main program.
Output Symbol
Use the Output symbol to turn a digital output on or off. Or turn a motor to the
forward, reverse or off state. The motors on the mimics and some interfaces can also
have their speed defined as a percentage.
The VEX Cortex and fischertechnik Robo TX also support encoder motors which can
be programmed to turn a certain amount. See the Hardware Interfaces section for
more information.
The VEX Cortex also supports Servo motors which can be instructed to turn to a
particular angle and hold that position.
Delay Symbol
A Delay symbol pauses the processing of the flowchart for a given number of
seconds.
Let Symbol
A Let symbol assigns a numeric value to a variable. To use variables in the flowchart,
first click the button to add variables to the Status Panel.
Call Subroutine Symbol
This symbol will run a subroutine. When the subroutine is complete (reaches a Stop),
the program will return to the call subroutine symbol. Usually subroutines are called
once, but this symbol can repeat the subroutine a number of times. Before using a
call subroutine symbol, define your subroutine with a symbol.
Decision Symbol
Use the Decision symbol to branch the flowchart based on a condition. If the
condition is true (if YES) then proceed one way, if false (if NO), proceed another way.
Decision symbols can check the status of an input switch (Is Input 1 on?) or of an
analogue sensor (Is Temperature > 50°C?). A decision symbol is also used to check
the value of a variable (Is x = 10?). Every decision symbol must have both a YES
and a NO line proceeding from it.
Flowol 4 Bundled Mimics
Flowol 4 is bundled with a series of mimics. Some of these mimics show road and
traffic features.
Mimic Example
A Zebra Crossing
Set up a new Flowol workspace with the Zebra Crossing mimic:
1. If necessary, click on the New Document button:
2. Choose Use a Mimic:
3. Then select the Zebra Crossing mimic and click OK.
1. Drag a Start/Stop symbol from the left toolbar onto the workspace. If the
symbol outline is red, move it slightly and try again in order to place it in the
desired position. In the prompt box, click Start.
2. Drag an Output symbol and position it directly beneath the Start symbol. Use the
prompt box to select Turn Light on. Click OK.
3. Drag a Delay symbol and position it beneath. Use the prompt box to select Delay
5. Click OK.
4. Drag another Output symbol and position it beneath. Use the prompts to select
Turn Light off. Click OK.
5. Drag a Start/Stop symbol and position it last. In the prompt box, click Stop.
6. If when dragging the symbols onto the workspace they were dropped close
enough to the symbol above, a line will have automatically been drawn connecting
the two symbols. When this happens, the outline of the symbol will turn orange.
Otherwise, the lines can be explicitly added using the Line Tool:
a. Click on the Line Tool.
b. Then click on the Start Symbol. It will highlight green.
c. Then click on the symbol beneath it, Turn Light on, to draw the line.
d. Continue clicking on the from and to symbols to complete the rest of the lines to
match the flowchart shown above.
Running the Flowchart
Click on the Run button at the bottom-left to run this short flowchart. Notice the lights
illuminate in the mimic and the state of the Light output is shown in the Status Panel.
Running the Flowchart
Click on the Run button at the bottom-left to run this short flowchart. Notice the lights
illuminate in the mimic and the state of the Light output is shown in the Status Panel.
