New Mbot, compile error I can't figure out

Community General Discussion
1

Mbot shows as connected in the Mblock IDE, runs programs in Live mode, but when I try to upload I get this message:

start processing code......

processing code by middleware of arduino

avr-toolchain\bin\avr-g++ -c -g -Os -w -std=gnu++11 -fno-exceptions -ffunction-sections -fdata-sections -fno-threadsafe-statics -MMD -mmcu=atmega328p -DF_CPU=16000000L -DARDUINO=10605 -DARDUINO_AVR_UNO -DARDUINO_ARCH_AVR -I"C:\Users\Public\Programs\mblock\resources\ml\v1\external\arduino\avr-library\variants\standard" -I"avr-library/cores/arduino" -I"arduino-libraries/makeblock/src" -I"arduino-libraries/makeblock/src/utility/avr" -I"avr-library/libraries/Wire/src/utility" -I"avr-library/libraries/Wire/src/" -I"avr-library/libraries/EEPROM/src/" -I"avr-library/libraries/SPI/src/" -I"avr-library/libraries/SoftwareSerial/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/WiFi/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/SD/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/Bridge/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/Temboo/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/Servo/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/Ethernet/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/TFT/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/SpacebrewYun/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/LiquidCrystal/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/GSM/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/Adafruit_Circuit_Playground/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/Adafruit_Circuit_Playground/utility/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/Esplora/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/Firmata/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/Firmata/utility/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/Keyboard/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/Mouse/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/Robot_Control/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/Robot_Motor/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/RobotIRremote/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/Stepper/src/" "C:\Users\danho\mblock-avr\temp\build\src\demo.cpp" -o "C:\Users\danho\mblock-avr\temp\build\src\demo.o"

avr-toolchain\bin\avr-g++ -c -g -Os -w -std=gnu++11 -fno-exceptions -ffunction-sections -fdata-sections -fno-threadsafe-statics -MMD -mmcu=atmega328p -DF_CPU=16000000L -DARDUINO=10605 -DARDUINO_AVR_UNO -DARDUINO_ARCH_AVR -I"C:\Users\Public\Programs\mblock\resources\ml\v1\external\arduino\avr-library\variants\standard" -I"avr-library/cores/arduino" -I"arduino-libraries/makeblock/src" -I"arduino-libraries/makeblock/src/utility/avr" -I"avr-library/libraries/Wire/src/utility" -I"avr-library/libraries/Wire/src/" -I"avr-library/libraries/EEPROM/src/" -I"avr-library/libraries/SPI/src/" -I"avr-library/libraries/SoftwareSerial/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/WiFi/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/SD/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/Bridge/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/Temboo/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/Servo/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/Ethernet/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/TFT/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/SpacebrewYun/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/LiquidCrystal/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/GSM/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/Adafruit_Circuit_Playground/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/Adafruit_Circuit_Playground/utility/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/Esplora/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/Firmata/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/Firmata/utility/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/Keyboard/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/Mouse/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/Robot_Control/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/Robot_Motor/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/RobotIRremote/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/Stepper/src/" "C:\Users\danho\mblock-avr\temp\build\src\MMA7660.cpp" -o "C:\Users\danho\mblock-avr\temp\build\src\MMA7660.o"

avr-toolchain\bin\avr-g++ -c -g -Os -w -std=gnu++11 -fno-exceptions -ffunction-sections -fdata-sections -fno-threadsafe-statics -MMD -mmcu=atmega328p -DF_CPU=16000000L -DARDUINO=10605 -DARDUINO_AVR_UNO -DARDUINO_ARCH_AVR -I"C:\Users\Public\Programs\mblock\resources\ml\v1\external\arduino\avr-library\variants\standard" -I"avr-library/cores/arduino" -I"arduino-libraries/makeblock/src" -I"arduino-libraries/makeblock/src/utility/avr" -I"avr-library/libraries/Wire/src/utility" -I"avr-library/libraries/Wire/src/" -I"avr-library/libraries/EEPROM/src/" -I"avr-library/libraries/SPI/src/" -I"avr-library/libraries/SoftwareSerial/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/WiFi/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/SD/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/Bridge/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/Temboo/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/Servo/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/Ethernet/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/TFT/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/SpacebrewYun/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/LiquidCrystal/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/GSM/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/Adafruit_Circuit_Playground/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/Adafruit_Circuit_Playground/utility/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/Esplora/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/Firmata/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/Firmata/utility/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/Keyboard/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/Mouse/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/Robot_Control/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/Robot_Motor/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/RobotIRremote/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/Stepper/src/" "C:\Users\danho\mblock-avr\temp\build\src\rgb_lcd.cpp" -o "C:\Users\danho\mblock-avr\temp\build\src\rgb_lcd.o"

avr-toolchain\bin\avr-g++ -c -g -Os -w -std=gnu++11 -fno-exceptions -ffunction-sections -fdata-sections -fno-threadsafe-statics -MMD -mmcu=atmega328p -DF_CPU=16000000L -DARDUINO=10605 -DARDUINO_AVR_UNO -DARDUINO_ARCH_AVR -I"C:\Users\Public\Programs\mblock\resources\ml\v1\external\arduino\avr-library\variants\standard" -I"avr-library/cores/arduino" -I"arduino-libraries/makeblock/src" -I"arduino-libraries/makeblock/src/utility/avr" -I"avr-library/libraries/Wire/src/utility" -I"avr-library/libraries/Wire/src/" -I"avr-library/libraries/EEPROM/src/" -I"avr-library/libraries/SPI/src/" -I"avr-library/libraries/SoftwareSerial/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/WiFi/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/SD/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/Bridge/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/Temboo/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/Servo/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/Ethernet/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/TFT/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/SpacebrewYun/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/LiquidCrystal/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/GSM/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/Adafruit_Circuit_Playground/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/Adafruit_Circuit_Playground/utility/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/Esplora/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/Firmata/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/Firmata/utility/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/Keyboard/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/Mouse/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/Robot_Control/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/Robot_Motor/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/RobotIRremote/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/Stepper/src/" "C:\Users\danho\mblock-avr\temp\build\code.cpp" -o "C:\Users\danho\mblock-avr\temp\build\code.o"

Command failed: avr-toolchain\bin\avr-g++ -c -g -Os -w -std=gnu++11 -fno-exceptions -ffunction-sections -fdata-sections -fno-threadsafe-statics -MMD -mmcu=atmega328p -DF_CPU=16000000L -DARDUINO=10605 -DARDUINO_AVR_UNO -DARDUINO_ARCH_AVR -I"C:\Users\Public\Programs\mblock\resources\ml\v1\external\arduino\avr-library\variants\standard" -I"avr-library/cores/arduino" -I"arduino-libraries/makeblock/src" -I"arduino-libraries/makeblock/src/utility/avr" -I"avr-library/libraries/Wire/src/utility" -I"avr-library/libraries/Wire/src/" -I"avr-library/libraries/EEPROM/src/" -I"avr-library/libraries/SPI/src/" -I"avr-library/libraries/SoftwareSerial/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/WiFi/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/SD/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/Bridge/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/Temboo/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/Servo/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/Ethernet/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/TFT/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/SpacebrewYun/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/LiquidCrystal/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/GSM/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/Adafruit_Circuit_Playground/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/Adafruit_Circuit_Playground/utility/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/Esplora/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/Firmata/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/Firmata/utility/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/Keyboard/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/Mouse/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/Robot_Control/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/Robot_Motor/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/RobotIRremote/src/" -I"arduino-libraries/arduino/Stepper/src/" "C:\Users\danho\mblock-avr\temp\build\code.cpp" -o "C:\Users\danho\mblock-avr\temp\build\code.o" C:\Users\danho\mblock-avr\temp\build\code.cpp: In function 'void _delay(float)': C:\Users\danho\mblock-avr\temp\build\code.cpp:10:18: error: 'millis' was not declared in this scope long endTime = millis() + seconds * 1000; ^~~~~~

Failed to compile file code.cpp

arduino build failed.

arduino build failed.

processing code completed

parse code upload by driver

start uploading......
2

Hi @danhoskin !

The failure that leads to the error is mentioned in the error log:

error: 'millis' was not declared in this scope long endTime = millis() + seconds * 1000;

This usually points to a missing library ...

Check if this line of code is on top of your sketch:

#include <Arduino.h>

You can add it - if it is mssing - and try to compile and upload the code.

If you are lucky it will work.

Otherwise please post

  • the full sketch you are using (inside code tags as you did with the error log)
  • exact information about your
    • board/product and
    • Mblock IDE version

This will help forum members to analyse the cause of your problem.

Good luck!
ec2021

3

Thanks. I tried adding that line and it didn't seem to make a difference. I was using the Mblock IDE version 5.6.0, and the board is marked mCore. This is the Amazon link to the kit I'm working with:

I have a lot of experience with Visual Studio programming, but very little Python and Arduino, so please pardon the 'rookie level' questions.

4

No worries ...

Next step:

If you have a valid graphical MBlock sketch loaded in the MBlock IDE you should see this at the right hand side of the IDE window:

image
image331×292 11 KB

A click on the symbol it will open the Arduino Code preview:

image
image494×808 27.2 KB

Can you post the code you find there?

(I will not comment the code that is produced by the IDE, it does not reach the standard that is expected from human developers but may be sufficient for graphical coding for educational reasons ... as long as no one uses the .ino outcome to learn how to code in C++).

I'll have a look at the product page you posted ...

[Edit:] Is this the board (based on ATmega328) you have?

https://support.makeblock.com/hc/en-us/articles/4412894402967-mCore-Main-Control-Board-of-mBot

5

It is this quite "strange" function that produces the error:

void _delay(float seconds) {
  long endTime = millis() + seconds * 1000;
  while(millis() < endTime) _loop();
}

What it does:

  • When _delay() is called it uses the actual millis() counter and adds (seconds times 1000) milliseconds to it.
  • The following while-loop calls the function _loop() while the millis() counter is less than this value.

It means that everything in _loop() (which calls loop()) is processed until the end criteria has been reached but functions that are placed after the call to _delay() will be processed when the "delay" time has expired.

It seems to be a function "designed" to allow delays in setup() while keeping loop() alive, but not ment to be used in loop().

Just for the records: this version shows the usual way to handle a millis() controlled function

void _delay(unsigned long seconds) {
  unsigned long startTime = millis();
  while (millis() - startTime < seconds * 1000) {
    _loop();
  }
}

You store the actual counter value and compare the difference between the millis() counter and the start time against the intended interval/delay time. The variables are declared as unsigned long to take advantage of the behaviour in case of a millis() counter overflow.
(see here https://www.gammon.com.au/millis)

This is not the cause of your problem but probably good to know once you switch from graphical programming to C++ (e.g. the Arduino IDE or Visual Studio Code with Platformio extension or the like ).

P.S.: I will be "out of office" :wink: for today.
But I guess that after you provide the information I asked for there will be enough skilled members that may take over ...

6

Just to be on the safe side:

Check whether you have definitely chosen the correct product from the MBlock IDE device library.

That is essential for the (automatic) inclusion of the appropriate libraries!

7

The last long lines in the error report shows file code.cpp has a problem at 10:18 which is "line 10, character 18" (where the "m" in millis() is located) and will be (near) the problem.

It is possible, a previous line (1 through 9) was "correct enough" to let the compiler move to line 10 and declare millis() as the problem (which, it is not).

Show your <code> from your sketch, or examine lines 1 through 9.