Editing BASIC Stamp

{{Short description|Microcontrollers}}
[[Image:BASIC-Stamp-2 eng.svg|right|thumb|200px|Diagram of a BASIC Stamp 2]]
The '''BASIC Stamp''' is a [[microcontroller]] with a small, specialized [[BASIC interpreter]] ([[PBASIC]]) built into [[read-only memory|ROM]]. It is made by [[Parallax, Inc. (company)|Parallax, Inc.]] and has been popular with electronics hobbyists since the early 1990s. 

==Technical specifications==
Although the BASIC Stamp 2 has the form of a 24 pin [[Dual in-line package|DIP]] [[integrated circuit|chip]], it is in fact a small [[printed circuit board]] (PCB) that contains the essential elements of a microprocessor system:<ref>[https://www.parallax.com/product/bs2-ic BASIC Stamp 2 Microcontroller Module; Parallax.]</ref>
* A Microcontroller containing the [[CPU]], a built in ROM containing the BASIC interpreter, and various peripherals
* 2kB of [[i²C]] [[EEPROM]] memory.
* A clock, in the form of a [[ceramic resonator]]
* [[Voltage regulator]]
* External [[input/output]]

The end result is that a hobbyist can connect a 9&nbsp;V battery to a BASIC Stamp and have a complete system. A [[Serial communication|serial connection]] to a [[personal computer]] allows the programmer to download software to the BASIC Stamp, which is stored in the onboard [[non-volatile memory]] device: it remains programmed until it is erased or reprogrammed, even when the power of the stamp is removed. If the power is reconnected the stamp immediately starts executing the program in slot 0 (of 8, numbered 0..7).

==Programming==
The BASIC Stamp is programmed in a variant of the [[BASIC]] language, called [[PBASIC]]. [[PBASIC]] incorporates common microcontroller functions, including [[Pulse-width modulation|PWM]], serial communications, [[I²C]] and [[1-Wire]] communications, communications with common [[LCD]] driver circuits, hobby servo pulse trains, pseudo-sine wave frequencies, and the ability to time an [[RC circuit]] which may be used to detect an analog value.

Once a program has been written in the 'Stamp Editor', an [[integrated development environment]] (IDE) in Windows, the [[syntax]] can be checked, [[lexical analysis|tokenized]] and sent to the chip through a [[RS-232|serial]]/[[USB]] Mini-B cable, where it will run.

==Versions==
[[Image:Basic Stamp 2.jpg|right|thumb|200px|The BASIC Stamp 2]]
There are currently four variants of the interpreter:
# (1992) BASIC Stamp 1 (BS1)
# (1995) BASIC Stamp 2 (BS2), with six sub-variants:
## BS2e
## BS2sx
## BS2p24
## BS2p40
## BS2pe
## BS2px
# (2002) Javelin Stamp
# (2006) Propeller\Spin Stamp

The BS2 sub-variants feature more memory, higher [[Execution (computing)|execution speed]], additional specialized PBASIC commands, extra I/O pins, etc., in comparison to the original BS2 model. While the BS1 and BS2 use a [[PIC microcontrollers|PIC]], the remaining BASIC Stamp 2 variants use a [[Parallax SX]] processor.  

The third variant is the Javelin Stamp. This module uses a subset of [[Sun Microsystems]]' [[Java (programming language)|Java]] programming language instead of Parallax's PBASIC. It does not include any networking facilities.

The fourth variant is the Spin Stamp. The module is based on the [[Parallax Propeller]] and therefore uses the [[Parallax Propeller#Built in SPIN byte code interpreter|SPIN programming language]] instead of PBASIC.

A number of companies now make "clones" of the BASIC Stamp with additional features, such as faster execution, [[analog-to-digital converter]]s and hardware-based PWM which can run in the background. 

The Parallax Propeller is gradually accumulating software libraries which give it functionality similar to the BASIC Stamp; however, there is no uniform list of which PBASIC facilities now have Spin equivalents.<ref>{{cite web |title=BASIC Stamp {{!}} Computer Informatics {{!}} 3069 {{!}} p2k.utn.ac.id |url=https://p2k.utn.ac.id/IT/en/3069-2966/BASIC-Stamp_5993_p2k-utn.html |website=p2k.utn.ac.id}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Electronics}}
* [[Arduino]]
* [https://www.coridium.us/ARMexpress.php ARM-based PCB pin compatible with Parallax BASIC stamp]
* [[ioBridge]]
* [[Make (magazine)#Make Controller Kit|Make Controller Kit]]
* [[OOPic]]
* [[PICAXE]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20050405124150/http://www.emesystems.com/BS2pbasic25.htm "Comparing PBASIC 2.5 control structures to the old PBASIC"] &ndash; By Tracy Allen, EME Systems, 2003
*[http://forums.parallax.com Parallax Forums] &ndash; Discussion Forum
*[http://www.parallax.com Parallax, Inc.] &ndash; Corporate website, home of the Basic Stamp and Basic Stamp 2
*[http://www.andybrain.com/extras/scribbler-robot-review.htm "Independent review of the Scribbler Robot, a programmable intelligent robot utilizing the BASIC Stamp 2 Microcontroller"] &ndash; By Andy Kaiser

{{DEFAULTSORT:Basic Stamp}}
[[Category:Microcontrollers]]
[[Category:Parallax, Inc. products]]
[[Category:BASIC interpreters]]