Unit 4: Computer Engineering Technology: Networking & Programming

Unit 4: Computer Engineering Technology: Programming and Networking

This unit will focus on computer networks, IP addressing, data routing protocols, services, programming languages, and concepts.

Course Units and Descriptions

Use this table for an overview and navigate to each of the course unit pages.

Unit	Description
Review course outline for more details
1	Safety & Career - Intro, computers, organization, safety, careers, and custom proposal
2	Computers & Components - Electronics, operation, design, troubleshooting, and maintenance
3	Digital Logic & Circuits - Binary, boolean, logic gates, counters/register ccts., calculations, design, & build
4	Networking & Programming - IP addressing, data routing protocols, services, languages, and concepts
5	Hardware Interface & Control - Student designed custom project
6	Showcase & Web Portfolio - Testing and presentation

Unit Content Activity Quick Links, Click to Jump to Specific Activity!

Unit 4, Act. 1: Programming

Situation:

Looking at digital logic supports programming languages used with computers. Taking a look at a programming language to create a set of instructions to complete custom tasks, learn more about programming will help students with their Arduino and Raspberry Pi projects.

Problem/Challenge:

Students will familiarize themselves with Arduino and Python language basics, practice some coding, start working with the Arduino, Raspberry Pi, kits along with inputs and outputs devices. The 11's will focus on Arduino while the 12's will focus on Raspberry Pi getting different programming experiences. .

Investigation/Ideas:

General Overview

Computer programming languages begin with the intent to make programming concepts easier for people to learn and write. As we have learned that computers think in binary code, so all instructions have to be broken down into a "yes" or "no" questions. Claude Shannon, known as "the father of information theory" realized that analog radio signals which fade in and out was very unreliable for important information to be stored or processed by a computer. Anything in binary code, for example a simple letter, will take up a byte or 8 bits of binary code, so writing straight binary code for computer programming would take forever and be very boring, hence different programming languages representing binary code. Languages that use a lot of plain English words making it easy to read is know as "verbose." Macros are commonly known as reusable bits of code that save time while objects orientated programming is known for its modularity. Code variations are usually designed to suit the style of the writer and then compiled back to a base code. With a lot happening with "cloud" computing, traditional locally run programs that tend to be static, online web apps run dynamically on a server, use a lot of computing power and bandwidth to deliver "software as a service", and use programming specific to this purpose, for example Node.js

Programming General Resource links

Safety

Safety is always the number one concern and therefore some issues you should keep in mind when working with your controller.

Static charges from body can kill electronics and controller chips, ground yourself first
Handle controller board by outside PCB board edges
Don't place board on metal support
Turn off power when not in operation
Do not operate in a wet environment
Power down when making any hardware changes
Use caution when working with bare wires, better though is don't use them
Secure controller, bread board, other electrical components

Organization and Coding Standards

The source code for programming Tetrix projects should always be organized and written with the future tasks of testing, debugging and maintenance (possibly by others) kept in mind. These tasks will be easier if the project is well organized and the source code is written in a clear and consistent fashion. It is always good to get into the habit of coding with basic standards in mind. In addition, the future possibility of porting the program to different environments (portability) should be a consideration. Here is a student suggested page on The Zen of Python.

Organization

Each program should be in it's own folder with appropriate file naming convention and include a READ-ME text file representing an overview of the program.

Documentation

The ``public'' documentation of your written source code should inform the reader of who wrote the code and describe what it does. It is common to write these public comments before you write your code. (This also allows you focus and plan your what you really want your program to do.)

/* 2020 Jane Smith (jsmith@tdsb.on.ca) */

/* Hello World - flashing green and red LED */

Indentation and Spacing

For all programming languages including C, indentation and spacing is important to apply as a good habit. Source code lines should be longer than 80 characters as a general rule and recommend using spaces, not tabs, for indentation. Generally by using spacing and indentation, it is easier to follow/read the code, easily shows levels of nesting, scope of the code, and it is better programming sense.

Arduino

Board Pin-outs

Arduino is an open-source electronics hardware platform with hardware inputs and outputs. Inputs can use a wide range of sensors and switches. Outputs can control LED's, relays, servos, motors, and many more. Whether your a beginner or advanced user, the microcontroller board offers a nice easy to use package that is inexpensive, works across multiple platforms, simple programming environment, web and IDE, is open sourced and expandable software and hardware wise. Arduino has one of the most common and easy to learn languages (C++). Arduino even offers an exam certification for a small cost that can be done from any computer. Here are some resource links to help you with this hardware.

Arduino General Resources

Assorted Projects

Electronics and Arduino Related Project Resources

Arduino Coding Tips and Info

Ardublockly is a graphical code editor that shows and defines code in a convenient manner which is great for beginners, where Arduino IDE is a strictly a text/syntax coding editor with built in compiler.

Ardublockly

Entry level basic graphics based coder, IDE suggested below though
The Ardublockly graphical code editor saves in an .xml file
To find out what the code is doing in Ardublockly, hover over the coloured graphical coding pieces, and pop-up will show a quick definition
Because of Ardublockly's graphic coding blocks, it is easy to see how the code interacts and is easy to understand
Once code is completed, Ardublockly uses Arduino IDE's compiler and loader to upload code to the microcontroller
Download link: Ardublockly

COM Ports

The COM port is a open switched connection to communicate to a specific device that needs to be configured prior
When initially connecting your microcontroller to your computer, you need to check Arduino's com port addresses prior, then once connected, you should see a new COM port open up, and that is the one you need to select/point your Arduino to, for it to be successful, loading your code to your microcontroller

Sample - Folder, Ardublockly, and IDE

Complier

The Complier is a program that translates one programming language into another lower level machine language to create an executable program
Low level machine language/code is a set of binary instructions consisting of 1's and 0's called bits, grouped together in 8 bit combinations called bytes, which send various signals to the transistors (millions) containing logic gates in the CPU, opening and closing allowing you to control your computer, or in this case microcontroller

Arduino IDE

The Arduino IDE text code editor saves a .ino file and wants the coding file saved in a folder named the same
To find out what the code is doing in Arduino, copy the code command, click on the help menu, for Reference, Ctrl F, paste copied text, will bring up a detailed description
You can not open an .ino in Ardublockly as it is a different file and needs the .xml structure
Saving your code in its own folder is a common practice in coding for organization
Use // two forward slashes to comment after your code, in-line with your code, on the same line - great for defining what that line of code is doing
Use /* to put multi-line comments, then close with */ - great for beginning documentation for the code creation date, your name, section number and what your code does
Download link: Arduino IDE

TinkerCAD Introduction

Tinkercad Circuits allows anyone to virtually create and program Arduino projects without the need for physical hardware. This will be used while we are full virtual to simulate hardware and programing for the Arduino controller.

You will have to learn how to use TinkerCAD. It is a virtual online electronics control board and circuit simulator. Instead of doing your programming for the Tetrix prime controller board, you would use the Arduino Uno R3 with a breadboard.You would need to build your circuits (add LED's, servo's, etc and wire them up) virtually before programming them, then write the code.

For our hardware and coding projects, you will have to set-up a new project with the Arduino board with a breadboard, and add your components on the breadboard as needed (you are limited with the components they have, but they have a fair bit), wire up, then write the code, and finally simulate the circuit and coding to see if it works.

Resources

Making a Great Report

Making a great report about a project you completed is all about sharing your experiences, the learning process, the highlights, the challenges, and documenting what you completed and showcasing it in a professional structured format.

How to Write an Effective Project Report in 7 Steps
In depth Guide to Technical Report Writing
Title page will usually include a picture related to project reporting on, a main title, sub-title, report creator name, date, and any other relevant information
Overview will give the reader a quick simple preview (intro) of the report's contents allowing the reader an understanding of the project, key info, main points and/or components in your report
Body of the report is where you will show your documentation from your project in a neat organized manner including titles and sub-titles if necessary
Summary/conclusion talk about what you accomplished, your experiences and highlights, what you found challenging, what you would change if you could do it again, what you liked most, and anything else you feel important to recap
Resources and references usually are included in the end, crediting information sources, guides, equipment, tools, and support partners arranged in order of importance

Python

Python language is multi-paradigm powerful-high-level , general purpose programming language that is proficient, fast, and broad. It allows for imperative, functional, and object-oriented programming (OOP), along with procedural styles, all-inclusive standard libraries, automatic memory management, and attributes in active type systems. In other words, it is a flexible, easy to learn overall general use programming language with a lot recommending this as a great language to start programming with. When writing code, take some time to get into the habit using the correct conventions and standards. Generally watch your indents with loops - 4 space indents, limit line lengths to 79 characters, comment just above your block of code/statements with a short description.

Local Code Editors/IDE's

Although our focus is using it with the Raspberry Pi, you can learn/practice Python on any system. For quick commands, use the Python shell /terminal, for more substantial coding, the IDLE (Integrated Development Environment or Integrated Development and Learning Environment) and for more editor environments there are several available to review and use such as little known Visual Studio Code, why switch, (best of) and many other popular editors.

Online Coding & Interpreters

For convenience, there are online in-browser editors (not just for Python) that are commonly used in education because they allow you to program interactivity. This can be very valuable when learning code by seeing how it works line by line and allowing you to breakdown the code operation. The following are some related resources that you should check out in helping you understand what is happening as the computer runs each line source of code:

** Repl.it is a great online programming solution that is easy to use with programming window and output window on the same page - Sample coding below for assignment done with this.
Pythontutor will allow you to visualize each of your programming steps, no log-on required - take a look at sample intro program
Register for a free account at Pythonanywhere.com to get access to multiple console shells and support.
Trinket also allows you to write, run, and share code on any device.
Python.org has an interactive online programming shell
A list of some online linked python interpreters and ** Best Tools with a quick review of each

Git Repository Management Services

Git and repository management are tools and part of a code development process to start from scratch and eventually get to an end program/application result. Git is software that keeps track of changes through git commands in your files and folders of your coding project and also known as SCM or Source Code Management, i.e. managing different versions of source code. When installing Git software, 3.17, (Learn Git in 20 minutes), 17.52 on your windows PC, you are given three choices to pick a command line tool preference. Git Bash for windows is generally your best option and considered your mainstream option as it is a Unix shell and command language also distributed widely as the default shell on major Linux distros and contains a collection of *nix utilities like ssh, scp, cat, etc that are useful when working with Git.

Git repository management services are hosting services that are used to manage projects (repository or repo for short) on the cloud. Because it is on the cloud, it can be worked on from anywhere, have built-in collaboration, and project code tracking, and integrate with your your program editor. Most popular is Github which is a hosting service, 11.42 with VCS (version control system) and useful functionality such as pull request. A free option is available to install, 21.17 with unlimited users, but all work must be publicly shared. Bitbucket for small teams (also for PC) and GitLab Community Edition (for Linux) are two similar repo management services that can also be used. Bitbucket does allow private repo's but only 5 users, so this may be an option if you are working on some private projects.

Cheat Sheets

Python Resources

There are a lot of resources to use when learning the Python language. Directly below are some related links to help you with learning Python. Remember what to code with will depend on your situation whether it be a local code editor, shell, or an online interpreter. With the Raspberry Pi, it will need to run on a lightweight platform, while a desktop can handle a more robust coding platform.

Resources Specific to Raspberry Pi

Raspberry Pi model B - Top and Bottom

Remember there are more links from unit 1 that you can also refer to. Here are some Raspberry Pi set-up and Python code related links:

Create/Construct:

Students will follow steps based on their grade level to familiarize themselves with their coding language. Grade 11's will focus on Arduino while 12's will focus on Python. Both will start with review questions to complete and later review as a class. Students will practice their coding skills and knowledge with a kit by following tutorials Arduino Uno controller board and create custom functions while 12's will start preparing their Raspberry Pi and code, on a browser based coder to start. See directly below for 11's and further down for the 12's.

A) Arduino Programming Basics (11's)

To get familiar with Arduino, background, and programming code, review the Arduino resources above including Arduino Programming Language and Arduino Programming and Syntax to answer the following review questions: Arduino Programming Basics.

B) Arduino Component Interface Coding Practice(11's)

Creatron Arduino Starter Kit

This Arduino Project Kit has several different components ranging from resistors to sensors. It includes the Arduino Uno Rev3 and breadboard compatible components which allows you to prototype hardware components without soldering and practice your programming!

Step 1: Using the Arduino Kit Parts Review, research and fill in what each of the components listed are and their general purpose and/or function.

Box Cover

Parts listed

Parts shown

Kit

Back of Box

Step 2: Using the Arduino Inventory sheet, identify and confirm all parts in the kit before you start working with it, then get it checked by your instructor. Ensure larger components are all numbered with box kit number. Be prepared to identify electronic components for full marks on your inventory sheet.

Step 3: Review the Arduino for Beginners page to refresh yourself with the basics, and if more information is needed - support e-book. The Arduino component interface coding project to using the following Arduino tutorial, as a starting place to complete the following projects below. You will need to download the given code, set-up your connections, then customize the code with three additional code functions.

Arduino Board and Sample Project

Push Button (10)
Potentiometer (10)
Fade an LED (10)
RGB LED (10)
Photo-resistor (10)
Temp. Sensor (10)
Tone Melody (10)
Servo (10)

You will be responsible to set-up each project, test it, customize with 3 new functions for each, document as you go with picture, code (both given and custom), and learning, to be added to a Google Doc report. Here are some key points to keep in mind when completing this project:

Report to include your own custom title page, contents (update with refresh before submitting), with each project section to include a related project picture, description, original code, custom code, and 3 learning points
Each project documentation (10 marks total) requires a title, description, 1/3 page picture (1 mark), given code (1 mark), custom code (5 marks)
3 Learning points (3 marks) for each project to be new and detailed in the form of either K,S, or V (ideally one of each in that order) that have had the most impact on you, from that project
Custom coding to have proper documentation and commenting on all new code added throughout projects
Custom coding functions you add, to be in the realm/scope of the project itself in terms of the programming and components, up to that project
Project pictures to be taken with good lighting, in-focus, giving best field of view of connections and components after custom project code has been successfully tested, and sized to fit 1/3 a page in portrait format
Text sized to 11 point for normal text entries and coding to be 8 font single spaced, no paragraph spacing with an easy to read font like Open Sans, Arial or similar (given in template)
Ensure overall report feedback is detailed and specific to earn full marks and if your peer feedback is not done will cost you marks and you loose an opportunity to possibly improve your report before submitting

TinkerCAD Virtual Exploring

1) Virtual Intro

Instead of working directly with the Tetrx kit, we will experiment with some virtual electronics and hardware with the built-in coder offered by TinkerCAD. You can get started by following these instructions using your school G mail account and your class link given by your teacher:

Go to your class link, link attached in the Google Classroom assignment
Log in using your school email account

When you join up, go to circuits, and you will go through a "Getting Started" set of tutorials (for practice and get familiar with the circuit simulator) to complete. There are 4 tutorials for you to complete that include:

Start Simulating
Editing Components
Wiring Components
Adding Components

Using a Google doc, you are to create a one page report that includes the following:

Create a header with title (to the left), name, date, section (right side), then create a page title (header 1) "TinkerCAD Intro" in body
take a screen-shot of your favorite completed project from the four that you have done, sized to fit about 1/3 of the top of the page (4)
for the rest of the page, create subtitles (header 2's) for each project
a short description of each (4*2=8)
list three things you learned in each tutorial in point form (3 bulleted points, 2*4=8)

2) Virtual Component and Coding

For this project in TinkerCAD, (remember to join your class, class code name was given in email join invite) you will be building a virtual electronic hardware project, adding some code, testing to see if it works, then modifying with 3 new coding functions which may include additional hardware. Each project will require a report showing your final project with new components and coding. Your custom coding will show the coding syntax (text) with multi-line documentation at the beginning and in-line comment explanations for new code not yet used before. Using a Google doc (template supplied in Google Classroom), fill in a report for each project completed, which is to include the following:

Header with Project name, Your Name, Date, Section & Footer with file name and page number
Title of your project
A screen shot of your final custom completed project, sized to fit about 1/3 of the top of the page (6)
Description of project (2)
List of the technical names of all electronic hardware components used in project (2)
Original code used to test initial cct and function (1)
Custom code with 3 modifications to code and components (highlighted) (6)
Three bulleted points, detailing what you learned (3)

Below are the projects to be completed in chronological order, once you have finished project, create report and submit for review while you start on the next one. Ensure you check your feedback on your previous project report before submitting your next report.

Original Cct Build

Original Cct Code

Flex Project - TCAD Sensors and Actuators

For a "Flex" project, you can improve your mark by doing this TCAD Sensors and Actuators project, but if you don't, it will not count towards your mark. This way students can choose to work on finishing up term work or work on this project to improve mark. This project will be out of 40, to include the usual custom code with 3 function modifications, documentation, highlighting, and 3 detailed learning points. For your convenience, you have images of the original build and code along with the video tutorial provided.

You will be responsible to set-up each project, test it, customize with 3 new functions for each using your Uno and prototyping bread board with project components, document as you go with a picture, code (both given and custom), and new learning, to be added to a Google Doc report. Here are key details to keep in mind when completing this report with your projects::

Report to include a main title page with a project related image and updated table of contents of whole report(3 marks),
Each project section (total 10 marks each) to include a picture of finished project clearly showing wiring & components (2), description of finished custom (1), original given test code (1), finished custom code with the 3 new (hardware & coding) functions (4.5), and your detailed learning points/proof (1.5)
Finished custom project pictures to be taken with good lighting, in-focus, showing wiring and components, cropped and sized to fit maximum 1/3 the page height or 7 cm high and as wide as want to fit width of page
Text sized to 10 - 12 point for both code and normal text entries with an easy to read font like Arial or similar
Custom coding to show coding standards including multi-line block comment documentation, and in-line comments for all new code used
New coding commands and functions to be highlighted and must be with-in the scope of the project itself - components and code
Overall feedback to include top 2 detailed learning points expanded and 3 overall summary/conclusion points on what you liked, what was the most challenging and why, and if you could do it again what would you do differently (5 marks)
Overall Peer feedback giving one practical positive comment and one critical point to get a better mark with Peer marker name (2 marks)

A) Python Programming Basics Summary (12's)

You can work with Python from several different systems and editors. As you will be using the Raspberry Pi, your focus is to use it with your programming, but you can program anywhere including home or school using a desktop, laptop, tablet, and/or your Pi to continue working on your code. The focus in this exercise is to familiarize yourself with the code basics, to better prepare you for your custom projects with the GPIO's later. To start, reviewing the basics of Python using Tutorials Point's Quick Guide with the following key areas below, complete a Python Programming Basics summary sheet stating the key areas with a description/explanation for later review of context, code, and/or operation.

01) Python Overview
02) Identifiers
03) Reserved Words
04) Lines & Indentation
05) Comments
06) Variable types
07) Standard Data types
08) Numbers
09) Strings
10) Lists
11) Dictionaries
12) 8 Basic Operators
13) Operator Precedence
14) If, else, elif
15) While & for Loops
16) Break/continue/pass
17) Functions
18) Modules
19) Object & classes
20) File I/O

B) Raspberry Pi Set-up (12's)

Supplied Materials

Raspberry Pi Poster

Sparkfun Kit

Part of starting to use the Raspberry Pi and components, it does need some initial set-up. This can be done while starting your Part C below on a browser coding platform Replit If you are starting from scratch, you will need to get your Raspberry Pi set-up, otherwise you can use the current set-up done previously. Note a fresh setup will reduce any possible glitches, but you should be fine with a previous set-up in general.

With your Raspberry Pi Model B, revision 2 board and a the SparkFun kit complete the Part Descriptions Research and Hardware Parts Check sheet
Download “New Out Of Box Software (NOOBS)”
You will need to format your SD card you will be using with your unit using for example SD Card Association. By selecting your SD Card drive, options, set "Format Size Adjustment" to ON, then format
Extract your "NOOBS" zip file onto your formatted SD card
Insert SD card into your Raspberry Pi
Plug in your Raspberry Pi into your desktop station area - HDMI, mouse, keyboard, network, and micro power last
Pi will boot up, give you a list of operating systems (install recommended) you can install
Once installed, you can access your Python through the shell, IDLE, or just install your own preferred IDE.

You can use Python from both an IDE (Integrated Development Environment) and/or from the terminal, depending on your comfort level. IDLE is the standard Python development environment. Its name is an acronym of "Integrated DeveLopment Environment". It works well on both Unix and Windows platforms. It has a Python shell window, which gives you access to the Python interactive mode. Python 3.x is the latest version recommended by the Raspberry Pi Foundation, although legacy 2.x is still currently also used.

C) Python in Action (12's)

Using the above Python Programming Basics assignment with the key areas (omitting object & classes), write sample code representing each area and use the print to screen command for an output to demonstrate coding areas completed. Each of your blocks of code should represent information from or about Python, related to what you are showing, to show and demonstrate your new knowledge and experience of the code. For example you could:

make a list of the key features of Python you answered in the first definition, then print them to the screen
create a separate file of a key Python list, then open that file, read into memory, then print
show operator precedence of arithmetic using some comparative number calculations
create a dictionary of the standard data types and/or the different number types in Python, then print

Include a multi-line comment at the beginning with a title project, name, Python version and description - overview of your Python program. Using the hash tag, comment on sections of code representing key areas using the line space above. Although less common and should be generally used sparingly, a short comment on the same line, on the tail end of your statement in this project, is to be used for each "new" code statement with a short explanation/description.

At the end of your program print a columned list, built by appending to a master list each time you have demonstrated a key area, and have it sorted in alphanumeric order with a final total count of entries/areas. Also, you will find yourself using new specific commands not covered directly by the master list, so you will create a secondary append list to keep track of and print as your very last printed list with the same formating as the previous list.

Once program is able to demonstrate all key areas with no errors and includes all required commenting, submit your project folder with files into the drop off folder with tej4_j-joe_python-in-action folder naming convention. (Sample to view)

Evaluation:

For the Arduino projects, remember to include picture of each project and the given and custom code. If you have not already done so, work on your summary sheet while you are getting your Pi loaded up and running, then you can focus on the Python in Action programming project.

Evaluation Breakdown Component Descriptions	Marks
Always double check that you have completed all components for full marks.
Arduino Basics Rev - Complete questions on Arduino basics	40
Arduino Kit & Parts- Inventory and part definition and exploration	30
Arduino CIC - Report with pictures and code of each project	90
Python Code Rev - Completed Python Programming Basics Review	40
Pi Kit & Parts - Inventory and part definition and exploration	30
Pi Set-up - Operational ready for Python programming	30
Python in Action - Working sample code showing key areas	60