Frequently Asked Questions
Getting Started
Where can I find the Propeller 1 Application Notes?
The Parallax Downloads page includes the Propeller 1 Application Notes. Search for AN0 to get all the available articles.
This is the direct link: https://www.parallax.com/download/?search=AN0
What is the Propeller Microcontroller?
The Propeller family of microcontrollers are multi-core realtime processors, designed to perform multiple tasks simultaneously and deterministically, without the need for interrupts or the dictates of an onboard operating system.
The Propeller 1 (P8x32A) has been in production since 2006, while the Propeller 2 (P2X8C4M64P) is a 2020 release.
Where can I find FREE support?
- Join us at our monthly Propeller Live forum and ask questions directly to the Parallax engineering team. Check our Events page and click on the Propeller 1 & 2 tab for the latest dates.
- Join our friendly community forum where you can ask your Propeller 1 or Propeller 2 questions. The IDE development guys hang out on the forums too, so it's a great place to get their attention!
- E-mail us at support@parallax.com
Where can I download the FREE programming tools?
Popular community supported IDE's include:
- SPIN Tools IDE : Supports SPIN/PASM & SPIN2/PASM2
- Visual Studio Code : Supports SPIN2/PASM2, BASIC, C
- FlexProp : Supports SPIN/PASM, SPIN2/PASM2, BASIC, C
Compiler (Typically included with the above IDE's)
- PNUT Compiler : Official SPIN2/PASM2 Compiler for the Propeller 2
Refer to our Propeller Programming Tools Comparison Chart for more details.
What hardware will I need to get started with the Parallax Propeller 2?
We recommend our Propeller 2 Developer Starter Bundle, available from the Parallax Shop here:
https://www.parallax.com/product/propeller-2-developer-starter-bundle/
- Bldc Smart-pin
- Max31855
- Port Expander
- Firmware
- Rfid Sensor
- Sprites
- Temperature Adc Sensor
- Ws2811
- 9dof
- Programmer
- Drone
- Serial
- Rotary Encoder
- Gps
- Spi
- Spin2
- Float Decimal Math
- Gateway
- Laserping
- Kicad
- Xbee
- Timi
- Quadrature
- Microvolts
- Pasm2
- Motor
- Flexprop
- P2
- 3d Model
- Encoder
- Clkset
- Protocol
- Muldiv64
- Fusion
- Bh1750
- Fat32
- Spin
- Jpeg
- Temperature
- Sram
- Click
- Fonts
- Filter
- Led
- X-band
- Ili9341
- Stepper
- Graphics
- Display
- Ds3231
- Sensor Health
- Url
- Pwm
- Pcb
- Ws2812
- Vl53l5cx
- Delay
- Parallax
- Can Bus
- Pause
- Gamma
- Timer
- Usb
- Servo
- Raspberry Pi
- Lcd
- Python
- Jonnymac
- Imu
- Qrcode Ssd1331
- Pca9685
- Matrix
- Schmitt
- Breadboard Mates
- Il-3820
- Eink
- Float
- Mac
- E-paper
- Vga
- Vrml
- Gui
- P2 Edge
- Dmx
- Menu
- Step
- Thermocouple
- Stack
- Control
- Mavlink
- Rtc
- Ping)))
- Serial Debug Terminal
- I2c
- Rmii
- Canbus
- String
- Ambient Light Sensor
- Motion
- Filesystem
- Motion Tracking
- Schematic
- Instrumentation
- Simpleide
- Fat16
- P1
- Pin
- Sd Card
- Pcf8575
- Ide
- Sk6812
- Dac
- Phy
- Wireless
- Ws2812b
- Bno08x
- E-ink
- Sensor
- Batch
- Proptool
- Pir
- Tof
- Pasm
- Hub75
- Gaming
- Spi Ram Emulation
- Iot
- Web
- Adc
- Flash
- Ssd1331
- Emulation
- Diptrace
- Smart-pin
- Ethernet
- Stepper Motor
- 1-wire


