LCD command memory use

[paulhuxley@tgs.kent.sch.uk]

Hi there,

Several of my pupils are using the 14M chip but finding that they can use no more than about 4 LCD commands before the memory use display indicates in escess of 100%.

Is there any way of reducing the memory use in logicator when using the LCD command?

Thanks,

Paul

 

[Technical]

Each text character takes one byte of memory. So assuming you use both lines that is 4x32 = 128 bytes just for the characters without any PICAXE program!

You may well be able to reduce the usage by using SerOut cell instead of LCD. They are basically the same thing but the LCD automatically adds the newline commands etc. The LCD command also always automatically outputs 16 bytes (even if they are spaces). This is to ensure any existing message is overwritten. However, if you only use, for instance, the first 5 characters on a line serout would be more efficient.

If you convert a LCD command to BASIC you can see the structure of how it works in relation to serout. You may also just edit the BASIC converted and download that.

 

[Technical]

Also the memory use is just an estimate, use the Flowchart syntax check for the exact value.

 

[paulhuxley@tgs.kent.sch.uk]

Thanks Technical.