Storing Data#

Storing Data

This tutorial covers how to create and use variables in VEXcode IQ (2nd gen). By the end, you’ll know how to create a variable and use it in a project.

Variables let you store data during a project, such as a number, a true/false value, or a list of items.

Go to the Logic - Variables category in the toolbox, and select Make a Variable.

Screenshot of the toolbox with the Logic - Variables category open, and the Make a Variable button highlighted.

Select the type of variable you want to create.

Screenshot of the Create a Variable dialog, showing the Variable, Boolean, List, and 2D List type options.

Numeric variables can store text or a number.

A numeric variable.#

    (my_variable)

Booleans store true or false values.

A Boolean variable.#

    <my_boolean>

Lists store a sequence of text and/or numbers.

A list variable.#

    set [my_list v] to (0) (0) (0)

2D Lists store a sequence of text and/or numbers, organized into rows and columns. These are useful when you want to store a lot of data at once and keep all the values organized.

A 2D list variable.#

    set [my_2d_list v] to ([0][0]) ([0][0])

Type a name for your variable.

Screenshot of the Create a Variable dialog, with the New variable name field highlighted.

Select Create to add your variable to the toolbox.

Screenshot of the Create a Variable dialog, with the variable named drivingDistance and the Create button highlighted.

Along with your variable, there will also be blocks in the toolbox you can use to change its value in the middle of a project. For example, numeric variables include a reporter block, along with the set numeric variable and change numeric variable blocks.

The my_variable reporter block.#

    (my_variable)

The set numeric variable block.#

    set [my_variable v] to (1)

The change numeric variable block.#

    change [my_variable v] by (1)

Select a variable block’s dropdown to choose a different variable, or to rename or delete the currently selected variable.

Screenshot of the set numeric variable block's dropdown open, showing the my_variable option along with Rename the 'my_variable' variable and Delete the 'my_variable' variable options.

In this project, pressing the Brain’s Check button will add 1 to a variable named count and display it on the Console, while pressing the Brain’s Left button will reset it back to 0.

A project that counts Brain Check button presses, and resets the count when the Left button is pressed.#

    when started
        set [count v] to [0]
        forever
            if <Brain [Check v] button pressed?> then
                [Add 1 to the count.]
                change [count v] by (1)
                print (count) on console ◀ and set cursor to next row
            else if <Brain [◀ v] button pressed?> then
                [Reset the count back to 0.]
                set [count v] to [0]
                print (count) on console ◀ and set cursor to next row
            end
        end