PROGRAMMERS: WIND RIVER C++ vs LABVIEW vs JAVA

[Dkt01]

Wind River is fast to build, but has a bit of a learning curve for those who know little C. I like LabView. It is easy to get used to, but it takes FOREVER to build. I've never tried Java, but I've heard it runs slowly on the robot.

[davidthefat]

Originally Posted by Dkt01

Wind River is fast to build, but has a bit of a learning curve for those who know little C. I like LabView. It is easy to get used to, but it takes FOREVER to build. I've never tried Java, but I've heard it runs slowly on the robot.

IDK but I didnt think Java was slow as I thought it would be

[CVassos]

I've known C++ a lot longer than I have Labview, but when they introduced it to FRC I decided to try it and learn a new language. Which was great because it's just a new way of doing things. As for Labview not being a "real" language used in the "real" world, last summer I was doing research and while I was programming the device I was working on with a combination of Verilog(a hardware descriptor language) and C++ I had some friends in chip testing who were doing some "serious" programming using Labview. It's a language that is used widely by scientists and engineers. Although personally I prefer to code in C++

[SudoSammich]

Most teams just go with what they've got the most experience with from the conversations I've had with other programmers. Our team uses Java, but that's just because I've been the head programmer since the control system switched over, I've known Java for years and our programming mentor knows Java. That made it a relatively easy decision for us (though we did use LabVIEW for a year as well after the switch, didn't really like it). If you know C++, I'd say stick with that.

[Greg McKaskle]

All three Languages eventually do the same thing

I agree with this post, but have a few clarifications.

Java and C don't go through LV libraries. They call directly into NI libraries built for use with LabWindows CVI. This is NI's engineering oriented C development environment. There is often a glue layer or new set of entry points for LV to call into.

The FPGA program is written in LV.

Greg McKaskle

[grimmcoder]

Hello All,
I think I will be the lead programmer next year and want to decide on a good language to use. This year we used LabVIEW and I really liked how it worked and how easy it was to use. Another member in the club who does not program for the club is very fluent in Java but does not program for the club. I saw his code, and it was easy to read, but could not figure out how to write it. My Dad and this last years leads Dad both know C++ and if we decide to go with that they can teach Me and any other members that are interested in programming next year. There are a a few Mentors that want to use C++ and a few wanting to use LabVIEW. I can see where the mentors wanting to do C++ are coming from, but I personally would like to use LabVIEW and so would the 2 Senior Programmers that are moving on. Please reply with feedback on my LabVIEW vs. C++ dilemma.
Thank You,
grimmcoder

[lemiant]

Originally Posted by grimmcoder

Hello All,
I think I will be the lead programmer next year and want to decide on a good language to use. This year we used LabVIEW and I really liked how it worked and how easy it was to use. Another member in the club who does not program for the club is very fluent in Java but does not program for the club. I saw his code, and it was easy to read, but could not figure out how to write it. My Dad and this last years leads Dad both know C++ and if we decide to go with that they can teach Me and any other members that are interested in programming next year. There are a a few Mentors that want to use C++ and a few wanting to use LabVIEW. I can see where the mentors wanting to do C++ are coming from, but I personally would like to use LabVIEW and so would the 2 Senior Programmers that are moving on. Please reply with feedback on my LabVIEW vs. C++ dilemma.
Thank You,
grimmcoder

Its probably just my opinion (and the fact our programmer was really inexperienced), but C is REALLY hard to read, compared to Java (and I would assume labview as well).

[Alan Anderson]

Originally Posted by grimmcoder

Please reply with feedback on my LabVIEW vs. C++ dilemma.

What's the dilemma? As the lead programmer, your preference should be the one with the most weight. I know you said that some mentors have other preferences, but is there anyone who is actually arguing against what you want?

[grimmcoder]

Well I guess no one is arguing against Me, just what they want to use because it would be better in the future, which I understand. I just want to go with which one would be best for the team and for the future of the team. At this point i can go any way I want, LabVIEW, Java, C++, I have the resources available to Me to learn a lot about each, I'm just not sure which way I should go and was hoping for more opinions. One idea I had was to try all 3 over the summer in a robotics setting and see which i like best, but thats just one idea and I'm open to any.

[grimmcoder]

Any other ideas? I'm open to any!

[remulasce]

Python! Check the subforum, under programming.

[lemiant]

Originally Posted by remulasce

Python! Check the subforum, under programming.

You can program the robot in PYTHON?!?!?!?!?!?

[remulasce]

Originally Posted by lemiant

You can program the robot in PYTHON?!?!?!?!?!?

Ayup. http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=89185

[lemiant]

Originally Posted by remulasce

Ayup. http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=89185

Is there any good way of doing debugging with it?

[remulasce]

Print to NetConsole, or save a log to the CRIO.