Programming an FRC Robot

1. Programming an FRC Robot Choosing a Language

2. INDEX • The Programing Languages and their Environments • The Three Major Enviroments • Java with the NetBeans IDE • C++ with the Windriver Workbench IDE • Graphical Programming with the LabView IDE • Pros and Cons for each Language • Java • C++ • LabView • Side-by-Side Comparisons • Thanks

3. The Programing Languages and their Environments

4. There are three major programing environments available to FIRST Robotics Teams • Java – NetBeans • C++ - Windriver Workbench • Graphical Programming - LabView

5. Java with the NetBeans IDE

6. Java Basic Structure package edu.wpi.first.wpilibj.templates; import edu.wpi.first.wpilibj.SimpleRobot; public class RobotTemplate extends SimpleRobot { //Declare Global Variables here public RobotTemplate(){ //Initialize Global Variables here } public void autonomous() { //Autonomous code goes here } public void operatorControl() { //Teleop code goes here } }

7. Java IDE Interface

8. C++ with the Windriver Workbench IDE

9. C++ Basic Structure #include "WPILib.h" class RobotDemo : public SimpleRobot{ //Declaration of components go here public: RobotDemo(void): //Initialization of components goes here { //Startup routines go here } void Autonomous(void){ //Autonomous code goes here } void OperatorControl(void) { //Teleop code goes here } }; START_ROBOT_CLASS(RobotDemo);

10. C++ IDE Interface

11. Graphical Programming with the LabView IDE

12. LabView Basic Structure

13. LabView IDE Interface

14. LabView IDE Interface

15. LabView IDE Interface

16. Pros and Cons for each Language

17. Java Pros Cons Does not use the standard LabView Dashboard • A well known language • Many Resources • Similar to C++ in style and syntax • Fast Compiling • Easier to pass references between functions • Object-Oriented-Programming • Text-Based language • Structured/User Friendly • Used in Computer Science Courses

18. C++ Pros Cons Requires a Windows PC Allows for free reign Less user-friendly • A well known language • Many Resources • Similar to Java in style and syntax • Fast Compiling • Object-Oriented-Programming • Text-based language

19. LabView Pros Cons Hard to navigate in the functions menu Requires Windows PC • A well known language in the First FRC community • Many Resources • Graphical • Popular with First Teams

20. Side-by-Side Comparisons Java C++ Text-based Syntax is similar to that of Java Fast Compiling Object-Oriented-Programming Many Resources Available Not Structured • Text-based • Many Resources Available • Syntax is similar to that of C++ • Fast Compiling • Object-Oriented-Programming • Structured • Easier to pass references

21. Side-by-Side Comparisons LabView C++ Text-based Syntax is similar to that of Java Fast Compiling Object-Oriented-Programming Many Resources Available Not Structured • Graphical • Hard to locate specific functions • Popular with First Teams • Well Documented

22. Side-by-Side Comparisons LabView Java Text-based Many Resources Available Syntax is similar to that of C++ Fast Compiling Object-Oriented-Programming Structured Easier to pass references • Graphical • Hard to locate specific functions • Popular with First Teams • Well Documented

23. Thanks to • Team 1279 ColdFusion • The Chief Delphi Community • The WPI Robotics Libraries • Sample Programs Provided by First For providing information that was used in this presentation