Console

Introduction

VEXcode VR includes a Monitor tab that can display Console output, monitor variables, and monitor sensor values while a project is running.

Console methods can display text, numbers, and variable values. They can also move the Console cursor to a new row, clear the Console, and set the color of text printed after the color is changed.

Below is a list of all methods:

Print — Output text or clear the Console.

• print — Displays text, numbers, or variable values in the Console.

• new_line — Moves the Console cursor to the start of the next row.

• set_print_color — Sets the color used for text printed in the Console.

• clear — Clears all rows in the Console.

Monitor — Monitor a sensor’s or variable’s value during a project in VEXcode’s Monitor tab.

• monitor_variable — Adds one or more predefined variables to the Monitor tab.

• monitor_sensor — Adds one or more sensor values to the Monitor tab.

Print

print

print displays text, numbers, or variable values in the Console using the current cursor position.

Use custom string formatting when you want a printed message to include values from your project, like a score, timer, or sensor reading. See the String Formatting page for more information.

Use new_line when you want the next printed value to start on a new row.

Usage:
brain.print(value, precision)

Parameters	Description
value	The text, number, or variable value to display in the Console.
precision	Optional. The number of decimal places to display when printing a number. The default is 0, so numbers print with no decimal places.

def main():
    # Display a message in the Console
    brain.print("Hello, robot!")

# VR threads — Do not delete
vr_thread(main)

def main():
    # Print a number with 5 decimal places
    brain.print(math.pi, precision=5)

# VR threads — Do not delete
vr_thread(main)

new_line

new_line moves the cursor to column 1 on the next row in the Console. The next value printed will appear on that row.

Use this method when you want the next printed value to start on a new row.

Usage:
brain.new_line()

Parameters	Description
	This method has no parameters.

def main():
    # Print on two lines
    brain.print("Row 1")
    brain.new_line()
    brain.print("Row 2")

# VR threads — Do not delete
vr_thread(main)

set_print_color

set_print_color sets the color used for text printed in the Console after this method is used. At the start of a project, the Console text color is set to BLACK.

Usage:
brain.set_print_color(color)

Parameters	Description
color	The color to use for text printed in the Console: BLACK BLUE GREEN RED

def main():
    # Print text in different colors
    brain.print("Default text color")
    brain.new_line()
    brain.set_print_color(RED)
    brain.print("Red text color")

# VR threads — Do not delete
vr_thread(main)

clear

clear clears all rows from the Console.

Usage:
brain.clear()

Parameters	Description
	This method has no parameters.

def main():
    # Display text, then clear it after two seconds
    brain.print("This will disappear...")
    wait(2, SECONDS)
    brain.clear()

# VR threads — Do not delete
vr_thread(main)

Monitor

monitor_variable

monitor_variable adds one or more predefined variables to the Monitor tab in VEXcode. This lets you watch a variable’s value change while a project is running.

Variables must be global for monitor_variable to monitor them successfully. Provide each variable name as a string.

Usage:
monitor_variable(“variable”)
monitor_variable(“variable1”, “variable2”)

Parameters	Description
variable	The name of a predefined global variable to monitor, given as a string. To monitor more than one variable, separate each variable name with a comma.

def main():
    # Monitor the amount of loops
    global loops
    monitor_variable("loops")

    # Drive in a square 3 times
    for loops in range(12):
        drivetrain.turn_for(RIGHT, 90, DEGREES)
        drivetrain.drive_for(FORWARD, 150, MM)

# VR threads — Do not delete
vr_thread(main)

actions = 0

def main():
    # Monitor the amount of loops and actions
    global loops, actions
    monitor_variable("loops", "actions")

    # Drive in a square 3 times
    for loops in range(12):
        drivetrain.turn_for(RIGHT, 90, DEGREES)
        drivetrain.drive_for(FORWARD, 150, MM)
        actions = actions + 2

# VR threads — Do not delete
vr_thread(main)

monitor_sensor

monitor_sensor adds one or more sensor values to the Monitor tab in VEXcode. This lets you watch sensor values change while a project is running.

If a sensor can return data in different units, the Monitor tab will display the returned data in each available unit. Provide each sensor value as a string.

Usage:
monitor_sensor(“sensor”)
monitor_sensor(“sensor1”, “sensor2”)

Parameters	Description
sensor	The sensor value to monitor, given as a string. To monitor more than one sensor value, separate each sensor value with a comma. This can be any sensor method that returns a value, such as “drivetrain.rotation”.

def main():
    # Monitor the distance in MM and inches
    monitor_sensor("front_distance.get_distance")
    drivetrain.drive_for(FORWARD, 400, MM)

# VR threads — Do not delete
vr_thread(main)

def main():
    # Monitor the rotation in the Monitor tab
    monitor_sensor("drivetrain.rotation", "drivetrain.heading")
    drivetrain.turn_for(RIGHT, 450, DEGREES)

# VR threads — Do not delete
vr_thread(main)