Python Programming in Visual
Studio IDE
Lab Session for Automation &
Robotics Department
Instructor: [Your Name]
Objectives
• Learn to create and configure Python projects
in Visual Studio
• Write programs for Velocity & Wheel
Rotations
• Run, compile (interpret), and debug code
• Handle input/output for robotics applications
• 📸 Placeholder: Robot + coding diagram
Visual Studio IDE for Python
• Rich editor (syntax highlighting, IntelliSense)
• Built-in debugging tools
• Supports multiple Python environments
• Used in robotics for structured development
• 📸 Screenshot Placeholder: Visual Studio
'Create New Project' screen
Project Properties
• Choose Python interpreter
• Set startup file (velocity_calculator.py)
• Manage libraries (math, numpy, pyserial)
• 📸 Screenshot Placeholder: Python
Environment Selection window
• 📸 Screenshot Placeholder: Solution Explorer
with project files
Program Example: Velocity
Calculator
distance = float(input("Enter distance (m): "))
time = float(input("Enter time (s): "))
if time == 0:
print("Error: Time cannot be zero.")
else:
velocity = distance / time
• print(f"Velocity = {velocity} m/s")
Program Example: Wheel Rotation
Calculator
import math
wheel_radius = 0.05 # meters
distance_to_travel = float(input("Enter distance to travel (m):
"))
circumference = 2 * math.pi * wheel_radius
if circumference == 0:
print("Error: Wheel circumference cannot be zero.")
else:
rotations = distance_to_travel / circumference
• print(f"Wheel rotations required = {rotations:.2f}")
Running the Program
• Python is interpreted (no compile step)
• Run with:
• • F5 = Run with debugging
• • Ctrl + F5 = Run without debugging
• 📸 Screenshot Placeholder: Terminal showing
program output
Debugging the Program
• Breakpoints → pause program
• Step Into/Over → run line by line
• Watch Window → inspect variables
• 📸 Screenshot Placeholder: Breakpoint at
'velocity = distance / time'
• 📸 Screenshot Placeholder: Variables panel
showing values
Input & Output
• Input: via keyboard, file, or sensor (serial)
• Output: console, logs, motor controller
commands
• 📸 Placeholder: Diagram of Robot (sensor →
Python program → motor output)
Example Lab Workflow
• 1. Create project 'RoboticsLab'
• 2. Add velocity_calculator.py
• 3. Run & test with distance = 10 m, time = 2 s
• 4. Debug with time = 0
• 5. Add wheel_rotation.py
• 📸 Screenshot Placeholder: Step-by-step
sequence (project → run → debug)
Robotics Applications
• Velocity Calculator: controls robot speed
• Wheel Rotation Calculator: precise navigation
• Debugging: prevents runtime errors during
movement
• 📸 Placeholder: Robot wheel + motion diagram
Conclusion
• Visual Studio IDE → structured, safe Python
development
• Students learn programming, debugging, I/O
• Direct robotics relevance: motion control,
navigation, safety
