Programming an FRC Robot Choosing a Language 1

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 2

THE PROGRAMING LANGUAGES AND THEIR ENVIRONMENTS 3

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

Java with the NetBeans IDE 5

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 } 6

Java IDE Interface 7

C++ with the Windriver Workbench IDE 8

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); 9

C++ IDE Interface 10

Graphical Programming with the LabView IDE 11

LabView Basic Structure 12

LabView IDE Interface 13

LabView IDE Interface 14

LabView IDE Interface 15

PROS AND CONS FOR EACH LANGUAGE 16

Java Pros 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 Cons Does not use the standard LabView Dashboard 17

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

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

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

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

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

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 23