Have Java Experience, Haven't Programmed Robot

[FRC_Team_7235]

I have used Java for 4 years, but I haven’t programmed a robot before… I am the lead the programmer for my team since I have the most experience. Please help me

I have the following questions :

What software application should I use?

Best Resources?

Things I should know?

Thanks

[vargoose84]

Start here:

Your Team Sucks At Programming: Here's Why

For people looking to get started programming this is one of the best tutorials I have seen so far. I have started having some of my students work through it. Thanks to team 3255 for putting it together.

[gerthworm]

Definitely recommending starting here: https://docs.wpilib.org/en/latest/

There are specific, supported pieces of software that you should be using.

[FRC_Team_7235]

Thank you !

[vargoose84]

Nm I’m wrong start there

Definitely recommending starting here: https://docs.wpilib.org/en/latest/

[ExploitSage]

Definitely recommending starting here: https://docs.wpilib.org/en/latest/

I’ll third this. As well as add: In particular, you’ll want to go through most of the “getting started” stuff, and the “Basics” section, then likely move on to the Command-Based section (not required to use Command Based, but its a pretty nice framework for organizing your robot code) under Advanced Programming. The JavaDocs are also linked on the site, as well as tons of examples to show practical application/methodology of the Command Based Framework.

Just know that there was a re-write of the Command Based Framework released for this season, so many 3-rd party resources haven’t caught up and will show examples/application of the older framework.

[64bitGPU]

I defiantly recommend looking at other teams code, but start with the WPILib documentation.

[GeeTwo]

I agree with all above. If you go command based (which I heartily recommend), approach it like it was a high-level GUI toolkit, with commands tied to button clicks through descriptive calls, rather than trying to lever-and-stick the links between conditions and actions. No loops (except perhaps iterators over a limited set of objects) in your callback methods!