Note This is a web-version of a tutorial chapter embedded right into the XOD IDE. To get a better learning experience we recommend to install the desktop IDE or start the browser-based IDE, and you’ll see the same tutorial there.

Uploading Programs

Screenshot of 101-upload

To make a program work XOD converts it to C++ code, then compiles it to a binary firmware compatible with the board of choice, then pushes the binary to the board itself.

The process is automated and runs behind the scenes once you hit “Upload”. However, many tools are involved and the initial XOD IDE installation can lack some of them. When you upload to a new kind of a board for the first time, a message will appear asking to Download & Install required tools. Confirm to setup them automatically. Keep in mind, it can consume 200 MB or so of Internet traffic and take up a few minutes.

Exercise #

Let’s upload this patch to the Arduino board to see the built-in LED blinking.

  1. Connect the Arduino board to your computer with a USB cable.
  2. Upload the program. To do this, hit Deploy → Upload to Arduino from the main menu.
  3. If some tools are missing, confirm the installation by clicking Download & Install in the message appeared.

See the on-board LED usually marked with the L letter blinking.

Change the IVAL value on the clock node and upload the program again. See how the blinking frequency of the LED changes.

👆 Shortcut #

You can click the button with a lightning icon in the deployment pane at the bottom of the screen instead of using the main menu.

Found a typo or mistake? Want to improve the text? Edit this page on GitHub and open a pull request. If you have a complex proposal or you want to discuss the content, feel free to start a new thread on XOD forum.