Lego Mindstorms NXT-G Programming Guide (Technology in Action)

used it for a class, did not really need it it turned out since all the information that i needed was available searching on google but still good have it around.

Only for the serious programmer

This book covers a lot of ground on NXT-G programming and is a must have resource for anyone serious about programming in NXT-G as the on line help included with the NXT set is not adequate.As a professional programmer and a robotics hobbyist, I would recommend that anyone wanting to bring out the full potential of their NXT creations move to a text based language like Robot-C instead. While NXT-G is good for simple programs, it is just to difficult to create anything of any complexity as the graphical elements and all those connecting lines distract you from what you are trying to accomplish.I am giving this book 5 stars because it does well at what it is, a reference / guide to the NXT-G programming language. It is NXT-G itself that I would only give 2 stars.

I purchased this book for my 10 year old, who has had his lego mindstorms nt-2.0 for about two months. I thought that it would be a great way for him to advance his programming skills. However, after 1 day with the book, he said, "Dad there is nothing in here that I don't already know. Can we send this back?". That is what I did. The book is too basic, and does not cover anything beyond the basics that are provided with the user documentation that comes with the mindstorms robot. I was hoping it would cover more advanced programming concepts. It does not at all.

I bought this for my grandson to help him with the NXT 2.0. The book has helped him with programming terminology associated with the NXt. He is now posting new robots almost daily on Facebook. He absolutely loved the book.

I was VERY disappointed in this book. I have three examples, all of which arise from questions from an FLL team. This book answers none of them:1. What does the "control motor power" toggle do in the Motor block? -- You will never know, because inexplicably, this most basic block is never covered in this book.2. What does the "calibrate" block actually do? -- You will never know, because the author clearly doesn't, either. There is a "whole" chapter dedicated to it, but there is no information as to why you might want to use one, when to use one, etc.3. What does the little icon that looks like a balance do in the sensor blocks? -- It is never mentioned, covered or used.Don't bother. Keep looking. This book won't help.

Until I read this book, I had only a vague idea of the features of the NXT, especially from what I learned in the manual that comes with the kit. Being where I am with little time to figure things out, I was so blessed to be guided by this book in the principles of block wires and certain blocks that I never thought of using. Highly recommended for anyone of any programming level.

There's no other book out there that covers the NXT-G programming language. Jim Kelly covers the subject thoroughly, in a clear, friendly and encouraging style.The book not only covers NXT-G, it's also a primer on what programming is and how it works. With this book, teachers, students and beginners will have everything they need to understand how NXT-G works and how to use it. Advanced users will learn a thing or two as well, particularly with respect to some of the lesser known blocks within the NXT-G program.

This book is very readable and well presented. It has certainly helped me understand how to tackle some problems that I was stumped with using the NXT-G programming tool. It does a good job of covering all the obvious stuff about how each program node works. However, it would have been nice to have a more on the general layout approaches that can be used to tackle certain programming goals - a "10,000 foot" overview of the design patterns that work with NXT-G. This is the area that I most struggle with, and one that's difficult to find a good textbook for. It's easy to document the settings for each program node; it's easy to understand how to create a single-stream application. What I find difficult is finding out how NXT-G should be set up to operate several programming streams in parallel, waiting for an event to happen in any of the streams. For example, a car going forward until it either detects something close, or a loud noise, or a light is shone at it, or it bumps into something. Nevertheless, it's a useful book to refer to.

Hi,I received this book almost 2 months ago from now. I learned about this book when I was reading the "Mayan Adventure" of the same author Jim Kelly.Both books are very interesting and excellent written. However after reading the Mayan Adventure, I had the feeling I was missing something about the NXT-G programming language. I need a more indept review of all the NXT-G programming objects than described in the Mayan Adventure.I know you have the online reference, but it is not the same. So I bought NXT-G book and I liked it from the very beginning.If you like me to build your own creations (mechanically and program) this book is definatelly a must have. The explanations are very detailled and clear. Also it starts at beginner level. So everyone can benefit from it.The only very little comment I have to make is that some third party sensors (Compass Sensor - Accelleration sensor - color sensor) where not present in this book. I really regret that very much. However I can understand the reasons why those sensors are not included. But when you learn to master the basic in and outs of the NXT-G programming language, it is not that difficult for you to learn those other sensors as well.When you are using Mindstorms NXT-G programming language, don't hesitate and buy this book. It is a great reference and lay a very good foundation to make rock solid robotics programs.And when you have children or like exploring the unknown, I also advise you "The Mayan Adventure" which is about exploring a Mayan Tomb.Both books going hand in hand with each other. It will give you a funny way to learn about Robotics and how to solve daily life problems.Friendly greetings,Bad_Wolf