Constants from a text file
 

What are the advantages of getting constants from a text file?

Re: Constants from a text file
 

Off the top of my head

1. No redeploying every change
2. Easy to change settings from non-programming computer
3. Less buggy than Smartdashboard or Preferences
4. Easy to delete, reset, change

Re: Constants from a text file
 

How do you move your changes to the cRIO without redeploying?

Re: Constants from a text file
 

If you use an FTP client like FileZilla, you can easily edit the constants file from the driver station and upload it to the cRIO. Then you have a method in your code that reads the new values from the file and updates your program accordingly. No recompiling necessary.

Re: Constants from a text file
 

Also, if you're interested, I made a tool in C# for managing a Constants file fairly easily. It has the ability to parse a Constants file using the Cheesy Poofs format (each key and value on a new line delimited by an =) and can upload to the robot via FTP.

Re: Constants from a text file
 

Also, Windows has built-in support for FTP network locations.

You can add a ftp location (like ftp://10.xx.yy.2, your team's cRio) to the Computer (the location that comes up when you press WinKey+E, then just right click in empty space and select "Add a network location") so you can just browse and edit files through the standard explorer interface, no special client needed.

Re: Constants from a text file
 

Was not aware of this. Thanks for the tip!