[Otaku]

FRC robot programming isn't too difficult (well, don't know about this year, but to give you an idea: I'm pretty much the drivetrain leader this year and I did chassis the past two years and I was able to grab the programming laptop and fix an issue we had in the code on our test bot), this year it's C++ instead of C iirc, but they give you a lot of tools to do it because they understand that we're high school students and probably don't expect us to know programming as well as say, the people that write code for a living.

If I were you I'd do a few things:

1. Ask lots of questions here on CD. There's lots of good information and helpful people here.
2. Read a lot about programming this year. Older information won't apply as much because of the new control system and different coding language.
3. Have fun. I can't think of many rookie teams that do outstandingly well their first year.

The biggest part of FRC isn't winning, it's about learning and having fun. I can honestly say that just being at a regional, nevermind competing or placing well, is one of the many experiences in my life that I'll remember. Team 100 getting pushed over in '07... like, twice or three times, at Davis, during the semifinal matches. The sheer volume from the crowd as their robot tipped over. The different teams all cheering their little chants. All the different colored shirts and people with interesting outfits. Stuff like that.


FRC is more than just robots. FRC is learning. FRC is growing. FRC is having fun, socializing, and changing how you look at challenges. FRC is probably one of the most interesting things you'll do in your life.


Welcome to the madness of it all.