Rookie team in need of desperate help with programming!

[ChiHopeRookies]

Hello, we are a rookie team that have had the unfortunate events occur: we entered the competition 2 weeks behind everyone else, no one on our team knows how to program, and we have a team of 4 people... We have built the frame and wired up and tested our electronics board. We made a direct connection to our battery to test it out and our electronics and wheels are working. Our main problem is the programming of our robot. No one on our team knows how to program (we're in the learning process) and we cant figure out how to install the Labview program on the 2go PC that was provided, which has no CD Drive. We tried to download it from online and it kinda worked. We are also planning to use Java to program our robot. What I'm asking is: 1) What exactly does Labview do? I know it's also a programming language so do we even need it to program if we're using Java? 1) What do we need to do to start off? 2) Are we required to use the 2go PC that was provided? 3)Does anyone have a video of some sort that can point us in the right direction? We have found some code online and have found someone to help us programming but we really want to have everything installed and ready to go so that we can start writing code. We would really appreciate ANY form of help we can get. Even if it's just a link to a YouTube video that can help us get started. Thanks!!

[z_beeblebrox]

Take a look at the documentation here:

http://wpilib.screenstepslive.com/s/3120

[Pault]

1) The driver station (the program which communicates between your computer and the robot) runs on LabVIEW, so unfortunately your required to download it.
1) The link above is exactly what you need.
2) Nope. In fact, I would strongly recommend that you try to find a different computer to program on.
3) I would suggest this, especially if you plan to eventually add something extra to your robot besides the drivetrain.

Also, calm down. You have 3 weeks. There is no reason that you shouldn't manage to get the robot programmed by then, considering you already have it built and wired. And if you don't, there will be about 100 smart, friendly people willing to help you get it functioning at your competition.

Good luck!

[SuperBK]

If you know java, I would suggest go straight to that. Don't even install the Labview DVD, its not necessary. Instead download and install the "FRC 2014 Update suite". https://decibel.ni.com/content/docs/DOC-34731. This is required no matter what language you use and includes the imaging tool and drivers station program. At the minimum the driver's station needs to be installed on the 2GoPc. I agree that its good to put your development environment on another computer, maybe one with a little more horsepower. As you discovered, to install programs on the classmate, you have to put them on a USB stick.

As for java, Here's the link for getting started with java: http://wpilib.screenstepslive.com/s/3120/m/7885

The tutorial there will get you a driving robot.

[Ether]

Originally Posted by ChiHopeRookies

we are a rookie team...

Reach out to teams in your area that might have the resources to help you. There are probably many in the Chicago area.

Here's a list of all registered teams in Illinois. Click on the "team number" link to take you to a page which has contact info.