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Understanding Button and Joystick Names on EXP Controller

VEXcode EXP can access the data from an EXP Controller by referencing the buttons and joystick axes by their names.

Position and Names of Buttons and Joysticks

The image below shows the button and joystick names and locations. Buttons return values of:

  • 1 - Pressed
  • 0 - Not Pressed / Released

Two diagrams of the EXP Controller with its buttons and joysticks labeled. Above is a view from the front of the controller, with the left joystick's axis labeled as 3 and 4. The left joystick's center button is labeled L3. The two round buttons below the left joystick are labeled Up and Down. The right joystick's axis are labeled as 1 and 2. The right joystick's center button is labeled R3. The two round buttons below the right joystick are labeled A and B. Below is a view of the top of the controller to show the shoulder buttons. The two buttons on the left side of the controller are labeled L1 and L2, and the two buttons on the right side of the controller are labeled R1 and R2.

Each joystick axis returns a value between -100 to +100, and returns a value of zero when centered. View this animation to see an example of the joystick's values as it is moved on each axis.

Blocks that include Controller Buttons and Joysticks

When programming in VEXcode EXP, understanding the button and joystick names, as well as their position on the Controller, helps determine which block should be used. 

Screenshot of VEXcode EXP with the Devices menu open. A connected Controller is listed and highlighted in the Devices menu. The blocks Toolbox is open and the Controller input event blocks are highlighted.

Once the Controller is configured, Controller blocks will be visible in the Toolbox.

For more information on using the Controller, see articles in the Controller section of the STEM Library.

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

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