No 'Screen' option and Keyboard icon in online IDE?

[domenico]

Hi,

I'm implementing Memory chip of Project 5 using the online IDE. In the test script, there are instructions of selecting 'Screen' option and clicking the Keyboard icon. However, I don't see them in my IDE. There are only three parts in the hardware simulator, i.e., HDL, Test, and Chip Memory. I don't see any setting options that can change this.

Am I using it wrongly? Do I need to use the desktop version to do the project? Thank you.

[99nubbins]

This made me crazy too. I found your question when I was stuck with the same problem and searching for help and was so disappointed there were no replies. I just figured it out so here it is for you and the fine people of the future who get stuck on this too.

You have to use the builtin chips called Screen and Keyboard. To use them, in the IDE hardware simulator just type "Screen"; don't type "BUILTIN Screen." The IDE will autopopulate the inputs and outputs for the Screen chip, just like it does with the chips that you design. Go ahead and fill them in. Keyboard works exactly the same, but notice that there's no input to the Keyboard chip because the input comes from the physical keyboard, not from the CPU or RAM. When you use the Screen and Keyboard chips and run the program, the IDE will automatically display the screen simulation and the button to enable the keyboard scan functionality. Add your other chips just like normal, and away you go!

So don't do like I did and try to connect two of your RAM4K chips to make the screen memory map or use your Register chip to create the keyboard memory map. You won't get the screen or keyboard functionality on the IDE. But you know that already! You got this 🤩

[song]

You saved my time. Thank you!!