View Single Post
  #3   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 07-02-2005, 22:18
RbtGal1351's Avatar
RbtGal1351 RbtGal1351 is offline
~La Reina de los Robots~
AKA: Stephanie
FRC #1351 (TKO)
Team Role: Programmer
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Rookie Year: 2004
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 166
RbtGal1351 is a splendid one to beholdRbtGal1351 is a splendid one to beholdRbtGal1351 is a splendid one to beholdRbtGal1351 is a splendid one to beholdRbtGal1351 is a splendid one to beholdRbtGal1351 is a splendid one to beholdRbtGal1351 is a splendid one to behold
Send a message via AIM to RbtGal1351 Send a message via MSN to RbtGal1351
Re: Software Development Process?

Quote:
Originally Posted by tcj103
I've recently stepped in as the software program manager, and was wondering what other teams do to develop software. Our current process is write code, load code, watch robot spin around, scratch head, re-write code, repeat.

I work on a military rotorcraft fly by wire flight control system, and have some background in software requirements management and design. We don't code, but are responsible for pseudo-code, system integration, and system testing. We are currently CMMI level 3, and trying to get to 5 this year. For those who don't know what I'm talking about, it's a system the government will soon require contractors to be certified to, and it shows that we document changes, measure our performance, etc.

I'm wondering what other teams do, ie does every change in code result in a new version number? Are old versions kept, no matter how small the change? Do teams perform specific tests once the robot is loaded with new software?

While this isn't the most exciting topic, I think it is important that the kids learn the importance of documentation, since it is part of what engineers do.

So what do other teams do for software development?

Ted
well, this is our 2nd year as a FIRST team, but this is my first year programming, and im the "manager" of programming.
we've created a couple (well, a lot) of documents on "desgin" of the programming. First we created the REQUIREMENTS document, which the whole team can, basically, edit (but they dont...), to tell us programmers what they need programmed. (So they cant say, the day before ship date, oh, btw, we want these switches programmed for the such-n-such so they limit this and that...)
then, we have the DESIGN document, which has everything from the REQUIREMENTS doc, (waterfall effect!), with IPO (inputs, processing and outputs) described in them. this only programmers can edit
finally, we have the TEST document, which lists how we're going to test to see if the code actually works. (for now, this will also serve as a test doc for the whole robot... simply because there's no other test doc and this one has little boxes saying "PASS" or "FAIL"...)

for autonomous dealings, we've made some flow charts, excel docs, and the like, as we found necessary..
we also have an online version control system, but... we don't yet have strict rules as when it's a new version. (however, we have unstable versions and stable versions)

hope that helps and other input accepted,
~Stephanie
__________________
2004 Founding member and Arm leader, 2005 Lead programmer, 2006 Controls leader, 2007 Project Manager/President
Thanks for making FIRST such a great experience for me. I'm no longer on 1351, and I'm not currently planning to mentor team 97, but FIRST has meant so much in getting me to where I am now, in life and at MIT, class of 2011.
I met Billfred! He recognized me!
SVR 04: 11th seed - Highest Rookie Seed - Semifinalists w/ 1120 and 568 - GM Industrial Design Award
SVR 05: Semifinalists w/ 8 and 766
SVR 06: 6th seed - Quarterfinalists w/ 368 and 1072
Davis 06: 1st seed - Quarterfinalists w/ 649 and 100 - KPCB Entrepreneurship Award
SVR 07: 36th seed
David 07: 4th seed - Semifinalists w/ 1280 and 692 - Johnson and Johnson Sportsmanship Award