Stepping Through a Project in VEXcode VR using VIQC Pitching In

The Project Stepping feature provides the user with important visual that help users to troubleshoot or better understand a project's flow. When a project is run, Fling the Hero Bot will run as instructed, but it may not be how the user intended. Having the ability to see the blocks being executed one step at a time gives the user a better visual of which blocks may be causing the error.


How to Use the Project Stepping Feature

Screenshot of VEXcode VR interface showcasing the programming environment for the VIQC Pitching In (2021-2022) challenge, featuring block-based coding options and a virtual robot for educational purposes in STEM learning.

Select the step button located at the top right of the VEXcode VR toolbar.

Screenshot of VEXcode VR interface showcasing the block-based coding environment used for programming a virtual robot, part of the VIQC Pitching In (2021-2022) educational resources.

Once selected, a green highlight will appear around the {When started} block to indicate where the program is beginning, and then immediately moves to highlight the first block in the stack. The highlight will stay on the first block after {When started} until the step button is selected again.

Note: the highlight will immediately move past a [Comment] block, because [Comment] blocks do not change the project or blocks surrounding it.

Screenshot of VEXcode VR interface showing block-based coding elements for the VIQC Pitching In (2021-2022) challenge, illustrating the programming environment used for learning coding concepts with a virtual robot.

Select the step button again to run the block that is highlighted. Once the block has been executed, the next block will become highlighted.

Continue to use the step button to run through the project one block at a time.


Debugging with the Project Stepping Feature

Screenshot of a VEXcode VR programming interface showing an incorrect code configuration for the VIQC Pitching In (2021-2022) challenge, highlighting a common mistake in block-based coding for robotics education.

The Project Stepping feature slows down the flow of the project and provides immediate visual feedback. This allows the user to go through the project one block at a time to observe behavior and correct mistakes.

In this example, the intention is for Fling to intake a Ball and score the Ball in the High Goal. However the turn in the project is turning in the wrong direction, and thus the Ball will not be scored in the High Goal.

Image showing a highlighted mistake in VEXcode VR programming related to the VIQC Pitching In challenge for 2021-2022, illustrating a coding error for educational purposes in a virtual robotics environment.

Illustration depicting a common mistake in VEXcode VR programming, highlighting an error in the code logic related to the VIQC Pitching In challenge for the 2021-2022 season, aimed at helping users understand and correct coding errors.

Run the project step by step using the Project Stepping feature until a mistake is observed.

Screenshot of a dropdown menu in VEXcode VR, showing options for programming a virtual robot, relevant to the VIQC Pitching In (2021-2022) section, illustrating the coding interface for educational purposes.

Screenshot of VEXcode VR interface showing a corrected programming mistake in a block-based coding environment, illustrating coding concepts for the VIQC Pitching In (2021-2022) competition.

Correct the mistake.

The mistake in this example was that Fling was coded to turn left 155 degrees, however this direction does not put Fling at the correct angle for the Catapult to shoot the Ball into the High Goal. The turn direction should be changed from left to right.

Screenshot of VEXcode VR block-based coding interface showcasing the programming blocks used for the VIQC Pitching In challenge (2021-2022), illustrating the virtual robot's coding environment for educational purposes in STEM learning.

Screenshot of VEXcode VR interface showcasing the programming environment for the VIQC Pitching In challenge (2021-2022), featuring block-based and text-based coding options for learning coding concepts with a virtual robot.

Then run the project again from the beginning using the Project Stepping feature. Repeat this process until the project runs correctly.

For more information, help, and tips, check out the many resources at VEX Professional Development Plus

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