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There are a number of different ways to program the VEX microcontroller.  

== MPLabs ==

[http://www.microchip.com MicroChip] gives away to students and sells the [http://www.microchip.com/stellent/idcplg?IdcService=SS_GET_PAGE&nodeId=1406&dDocName=en019469&part=SW007002 MPLabs IDE].  The IDE supports programming in both C and assembly.  

== Easy-C ==
[http://www.intelitekdownloads.com/easyCV2/ Easy-C] and Easy-C Pro is the best drag and drop VEX programming tool out there.  It allows beginning roboteers to drag motors, sensors and transmitters to the code stream.  There is a pretty decent interactive debugger.

== RobotC ==
In 2008 [http://www.robotc.net/ RobotC] was released.  It is positioned between the MPLab compiler and the drag and drop of Easy-C.  The advantage of RobotC is the interactive debugger.  It's far more detailed and has more features than Easy-C.  

RobotC also works with the Lego Mindstorms system.

We have a number of [[RobotC Resources]] that you may find of use.

== WPILibrary ==
At the center of Easy-C is a linkable library that can be used to do robot functions.  The library makes the MPLabs C compiler easier to develop code with.

== Cortex ==
In 2009 VEX brought out the new, faster, bigger, more powerful ARM based conroller family.  You need either EasyC Pro or RobotC for Cortex to program it. 

[http://content.vexrobotics.com/docs/Cortex_UserGuide_1010.pdf  The latest Cortex User's Guide, it has all of the color codes for the status lights]

== Code Resources ==

One of the most popular robots to build is an Omnibot.  We have a sample of [[Omnibot Code]] for teams to use.