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
Cons
• 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
• 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-OrientedProgramming
• 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-OrientedProgramming
• Structured
• Easier to pass references
C++
• Text-based
• Syntax is similar to that of
Java
• Fast Compiling
• Object-OrientedProgramming
• 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-OrientedProgramming
• 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-OrientedProgramming
• 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