Understanding the VEX DEVICE INFO in VS Code – VEX Library

After installing the VEX VScode extension, you can access the DEVICE INFO. The DEVICE INFO view provides an overview of the connected VEX Device (a VEX Brain or a VEX Controller), which can help us to make sure that the devices are working properly.

Accessing VEX DEVICE INFO in VS Code

VEX Robotics Extension icon in the VS Code side menu is highlighted.

Launch Visual Studio Code on the computer. Click on the VEX icon on the VS Code Activity Bar.

The VEX Robotics Extension has been opened and the VEX Device Info category is shown, with a list of all connected devices and specific info about each one. In this example, the Brain, its downloaded programs, and a Controller are shown.

The VEX view will open in the Side Bar. The VEX DEVICE INFO category is in the middle of the VEX view. All of the connected devices' information will be displayed in this category.

VEX DEVICE INFO Overview

VEX Device Info section with the VEX Device Indicator folder highlighted. In this example, the VEX Device Indicator folder reads IQ 2nd Generation Brain (VEX_IQ).

The VEX Device Indicator

The VEX Device Indicator indicates which type of the VEX Device is connected to the VEX VS Code Extension. The VEX Device Indicator is under VEX DEVICE INFO including the icon and the type of the connected VEX Device followed by the Brain name.

If a VEX Brain is connected, hover the mouse over the VEX Device Indicator, a Camera Icon and an Event Log Icon will appear next to it.

Note: If a controller is connected to the computer, but does not have a radio link to a brain, no brain name will be displayed next to the Controller Icon.

Camera icon is highlighted next to the VEX Device Indicator folder title.

Camera Icon

When clicked, the VEX Extension will take a screenshot of the VEX Brain Screen.
For instructions on taking a screenshot of the VEX Brain Screen in VS Code, check out this article.

Event Log icon is highlighted next to the VEX Device Indicator folder title, to the right of the Camera icon.

Event Log Icon

When clicked, the VEX Extension will upload the Event Log of the VEX Brain. For helpful information about how to upload the Event Log of the VEX Brain in VS Code, check out this article.

Brain

Brain folder is highlighted underneath the VEX Device Indicator folder.

Brain is the top-level category for all the device information related to the Brain.
The Brain Icon of the Brain category will indicate the following warning messages:

Brain folder icon and the VEX Device Indicator icon are shown in orange, and there is a hazard symbol next to the system's VEXos version. These signs indicate that the Brain's VEXos version is out of date.

VEXos Outdated Warning

When a VEX Brain’s VEXos version is out of date, the Brain icons turn yellow, and a Warning Message Icon appears next to VEXos under the system subcategory.

Cursor is hovering over the out of date Brain's folder and there is an Up Arrow icon next to it that is highlighted.

To update the Brain's firmware, hover the mouse over the icon or text of the Brain category. An Up Arrow Icon will appear next to it. Click on the Up Arrow Icon to update the VEXos for the VEX Brain.

For more information on updating firmware with the VEX VScode extension, go here.

Brain folder underneath the VEX Device Indicator folder has an orange icon and reads Brain, not linked. These signs indicate that there is no VEX Brain connected.

VEX Brain is not Linked

When a VEX Controller is connected to the computer but does not have a radio link to a Brain, the Brain icon will turn yellow, and the text indicates that Brain - not linked.

To resolve this warning, link the Controller to the IQ (2nd gen) Brain. For helpful information about pairing the Controller with the IQ (2nd gen) Brain, go here.

System

System folder and its contents are shown and highlighted underneath the Brain folder. The system folder has data about the Brain, and the data reads VEXos 1.0.8.0, name VEX_IQ, team 000000, id 2485690E, and Python 1.0.0.2.0.

System is a subcategory of the Brain category. The system subcategory provides information on the Brain’s VEXos version, name, team number, ID, and Python runtime version.

Cursor is hovering over the Name option inside the System folder, and there is a Pencil icon next to it that is highlighted.

Set the name of the Brain

To set the name for the IQ (2nd gen) Brain, hover the mouse over the text of the name information, click the Pencil Icon that appears next to it.

For more information on how to rename your IQ (2nd gen) Brain in the VEX VScode extension, go here.

Cursor is hovering over the Team option inside the System folder, and there is a Pencil icon next to it that is highlighted.

Set the team's number

To set the team number for the IQ (2nd gen) Brain, hover the mouse over the text of the team information and click the Pencil Icon that appears next to it.

For more information on how to set your team's number in the VEX VScode extension, go here.

Serial Port

Serial Port folder and its contents are shown underneath the Brain folder. The Serial Port folder has data about the Brain's wired connection. This data reads Communication COM68, User COM69.

Serial port is a subcategory of the Brain Category. The serial port subcategory displays the device path for each serial port available for the IQ (2nd gen) Brain.

Note: The Communication serial port is used to download programs and control the brain functions. The User serial port is used to transfer data between the user app running on the Brain and the host computer connected via USB.

Programs

Programs folder and its contents are shown underneath the Brain folder. The Programs folder shows all of the downloaded VEX projects on the Brain. In this example, there is one C/C++ program and one Python program downloaded to the connected Brain.

Programs is a subcategory of the Brain Category. The programs subcategory displays a list of all the user programs downloaded on the IQ (2nd gen) Brain.

This category allows you to delete downloaded programs from the IQ (2nd gen) Brain or view detailed program information.

Cursor is hovering over a program in the Programs folder and there is a Trashcan icon next to it that is highlighted.

To delete a downloaded program from the IQ (2nd gen) Brain, hover the mouse over the text of the selected program item and click the Trashcan Icon that appears next to it.

Note: Once a program is deleted, it can not be recovered. Please be cautious when using this feature.

For more information on erasing projects from a IQ (2nd gen) Brain in the VEX VScode extension, go here.

Devices

Devices folder and its contents are shown underneath the Brain folder. The Devices folder shows all of the devices that are connected to the Brain. In this example, there is one Device listed and it reads Controller - linked.

Devices is a subcategory of the Brain category. The devices subcategory displays a list of all devices plugged into the IQ (2nd gen) Brain's Smart Ports and the battery that is currently connected to the IQ (2nd gen) Brain.

Devices folder and its contents are shown underneath the Brain folder. In this example, there are several connected Smart Port Devices listed. Each Smart Port Device folder can be opened to show information specific to that device. In this example, a Motor device has been selected and its contents reads Type Motor, Version 1.0.0.3.1, Boot 1.0.3.0.

To view the detailed information of a Smart Port Device or Battery connected to the Brain, select the expand icon next to the device item. Additional information about the connected device, such as the Smart Port number and device type, will be displayed.

Controller

Controller is listed underneath the Devices folder. This Controller reads Controller, linked.

Controller will show you whether or not a IQ (2nd gen) Controller is or is not linked to the IQ (2nd gen) Brain.

For information on how to pair your IQ (2nd gen) Controller with your IQ (2nd gen) Brain, go here.