I wrote up a document of small beginner tasks for our coding team. For each task, I provide a link to the api and/or a page from the wpilib screen steps. Sometimes I also included more detailed instructions if I thought a beginner programmer would need more than just the api and the screen steps. Tasks will depend on what your team has in terms of sensors and other things for the coders to test, but here are some examples:
- code drive base with arcade drive
- code drive base with tank drive
- drive in a square in auto
- drive in a square using the gyro sensor
- read values from the sonar and convert them to inches
- display the feed from a USB camera
- write and then tune a PID controller using the gyro to drive straight
- code a servo motor
- code a pneumatic piston
- read values from the encoder and convert them into inches
- use the SmartDashboard to display data from the sensors
- use the SmartDashboard to set robot preferences
So far this has worked well for my team! While making the list did take me a bit of time, it's helped our practices be much more productive because people know where they can find something to work on. I also feel like it has done a good job of bringing our new programmers up to speed with the basic skills it takes to program a robot. Good luck!