BASIC Programs and C Programs

Very early robots in the 1970s and 1980s used BASIC programming language. The programs usually incorporated robot motion statements such as POSITION MOVE, PICK, GRIP, DROP, UP, DOWN, OUTPUT ON, OUTPUT OFF, and TEST INPUT to make the robot operational. Since these early robot applications were rather simple, the BASIC program was an acceptable way to operate a robot. It was also a logical program to use because thousands of engineers and technicians already understood BASIC programming. As robot applications became much more complex and faster speeds were needed, the BASIC program became ineffective.

Today the programs will look more like a C or FORTRAN program for industrial robots, and like PASCAL or FORTH programs for research robots or robots that use complex mathematical interfaces to cameras and other complex sensors. Each robot manufacturer started with the type of program such as C and added the input and output statements and other statements required to make the robot function in a modern industrial application. Symbolic and proprietary (manufacturer-based) languages may also be used. Often, today, a friendly touch screen or PC-based interface -- using icons -- are all that's needed for most tasks.