3.2 KiB
Run Code in your Browser
Run scripts in a web browser.
While you're writing and testing your scripts, you'll mostly be running scripts in your browser by clicking the run button. Both the Microsoft Block editor and the Touch Develop editor have a run button above the coding area.
Note: in the Touch Develop editor, the button actually is named run main, reflecting the fact that execution of a Touch Develop script always beings in the main function
When you click run main in the Touch Develop editor, your code executes and the results are simulated on-screen, using an image of the @boardname@ device, like this:
In the picture above, plot image create a heart image that appears on the @boardname@ simulator.
The @boardname@ simulator let's you...
- write and test code, even if you don't have a @boardname@ device
- test your code throughly before downloading and running your script on the @boardname@
What does the simulator support?
The @boardname@ simulator supports the Touch Develop functions and Microsoft blocks, including those related to the LED screen, input buttons, the compass, accelerometer, and the digital I/O pins.
- LED screen: the LED screen that appears on-screen shows you what you'll see on the @boardname@ device
- input buttons: when running code with button is pressed or on button pressed functions, click the on-screen A or B button
- compass: when running code that includes compass heading, click and drag the on-screen compass needle to change the heading
- accelerometer: move your mouse over the on-screen @boardname@ device to simulate acceleration. The x and y axis values are shown on-screen.
- digital pins: you can click the on-screen digital pins (0 , 1, or 2) to turn them on or off (see digital write pin and digital read pin for more info).
Can't see the red LEDs on the simulator?
If you click on the white THEME button in the top right corner of the simulator, it will switch to an accessible version of the simulator, where the LEDs are displayed in blue on a white background.
All done?
Once you're done writing and testing your code on the simulator, compile and run your script on your @boardname@ device. To find out how to do this, see run scripts on the @boardname@.
Simulator vs @boardname@
Running your scripts in a web browser is a simulation of how your code will run on the @boardname@ device. When you run your script on your @boardname@ device, the results may differ slightly. For example, the timing may be subtly different when your script runs on the @boardname@ device (you may need to adjust your pause functions). For this reason, be sure to test your scripts on the @boardname@ device.
See also
run scripts on the @boardname@, Microsoft Block editor, Touch Develop editor