0E: How to use Blockly

Blockly is available at robolink.com/blockly-cdm.

In this lesson you will be introduced to the coding web application you will use to fly CoDrone Mini! This lesson is very important as it goes over the operating system requirements to be able to run Blockly, as well as the interface and how to use it.

Blockly is an online application that you can access right from Google Chrome. Click here to check it out! With Blockly, you can pair to your drone as well as program it in three modes:

• Junior: Simplified block-based coding for beginners.
• Senior: For intermediate coders who have some familiarity with block coding
• Master: Text-based coding in Python for advanced students. This is currently not available. Check back for updates!

Note: If you haven’t completed the previous lesson, please go back and check that your device meets the requirements and that you have completed the setup process. If you skip that lesson, Blockly will not work.

To write your code, drag blocks from the menus on the right to the workspace in the middle of the page. If you want your CoDrone to fly, you need to include takeoff and land blocks from the flight commands menu.

To delete blocks, separate what you want to get rid of from your code and drag them to the trashcan in the lower righthand corner. If you want to delete your entire program, you can drag the whole thing to the trashcan.

To see what your program looks like in Python or Javascript, click on one of the coding language icons on the right side of the workspace.

Make sure you save! You can do this by going to the menu in the upper lefthand corner of the workspace and clicking on “Save”. To open a saved program, go to the same menu and click on “Open…”.

Your drone should have come pre-paired, but you have to pair again in Blockly. Once you’re ready to run your code, plug your battery into your CoDrone Mini and use a micro USB cable to plug your remote into your computer. A list of ports should come up. It may take some trial and error to find the works for you, but once you have one, make sure to take note of it!

Click on “Run code” in the upper lefthand side of your workspace to get your drone flying with your code! If you need to stop your drone for any reason during its flight, click on “Stop”, which is right next to the “Run code” button.