Chosing a Programming Language

[daniel_dsouza]

There are dozens of other threads out there, some discussing the finer points between languages. But to answer your question:

We use Java. If we were to pick a second, we'd pick C++, and Labview last. Our mentors are fluent in Java, so we use Java. Personally, the write, debug, repeat cycle is much faster for me on Java, but I haven't used too many of WindRiver's amazing features yet.

JAVA:
- Quick code deploy
- easy to read
- not as much image support, but its enough for many teams' needs
- free programming platforms (netbeans, eclipse), no license, year round development
- Java ME (the software on robot) is older
- For FRC purposes, is just as fast as C++
- great for that AP test
- easy to teach...very important

C++:
- Quick code deploy
- options to choose permanent, or stay-till-robot-reboots deploy
- there is a windriver license, and you need discs
- provides an opportunity to use Python
- C++ is used for a wide variety of everything
- a great excuse to take advantage of MS dreamspark (if you want to explore Visual Studio), who gave us vouchers in the KOP.

Labview:
- can't give you much here, haven't used it much
- very visual - take that as you wish
- takes way longer to install than a java environment
- installs from USB and runs "well" on netbooks (what runs well on netbooks anyway)

The easiest way to conclude, is to say that there is no BEST programming language. As with life, you use whichever language gets you the maximum yield with the resources you have.