WPILib on macOS

[Aaron-Flack]

so I recently got a MacBook (intel version) and I’m wondering if its possible to run WPILib on visual studio code or do I need a different code editor.

I have the extensions and it all works fine other then a few issues:

1. it keeps saying I need java 11 even though I already installed it
   

   

2. on windows when ever there is an error in subsystems (for example) the specific subsystems file turns red. on Mac that is not the case
   

   
   
   in this screenshot there are examples of mistakes but the file name doesn’t change color.

I followed the WPILib website instructions for Mac but I can’t figure out why it still has errors.
for anyone using or tried macOS to code for FRC I would really appreciate help figuring out if I am doing something wrong or if it is just macOS and if there is anyway I can code for FRC on my MacBook.

[Peter_Johnson]

It’s important to use the WPILib installer installed copy of Visual Studio Code, and not just try to install the WPILib extension yourself into some other copy. This configures a number of things so that it works properly (eg points to the WPILib installed copy of Java 17). Re-run the installer if necessary, and when prompted to install Visual Stufio Code, do so, and then run that version.

[jepperson]

I was doing this when I started FRC as I had a macbook. I ended up just buying a external harddrive and putting windows on it and booting from there as it solved a lot of the problems I was having and gave me plenty of space for software

[Joe_Ross]

Can you click the wpilib icon and select WPILib: Open Project Information and post that here?

This will provide all the versions of the extensions and jdks being used and can help determine what isn’t installed correctly.

[Backlash]

I used WPILib with the Apple Silicon Mac on VS Code before. I didn’t really meet the bugs you had above.
But my team uses a Windows PC for all the testing and serving as driver station. Mac is just for temporally checking and debugging.

[Aaron-Flack]

when installing java 17, does it matter from where? I see 2 options (oracle and Temurin) or is there another place to download it?

[Peter_Johnson]

Use the WPILib installer to install everything. It bundles the JDK. Download link and instructions are here: WPILib Installation Guide — FIRST Robotics Competition documentation

[Aaron-Flack]

thank you so much it works great now

[Joe_Ross]

What instructions did you follow the first time?

[Aaron-Flack]

WPILib Information:
Project Version: 2023.4.3
VS Code Version: 1.74.2
WPILib Extension Version: 2023.4.3
C++ Extension Version: 1.13.8
Java Extension Version: 1.14.0
Java Debug Extension Version: 0.47.0
Java Dependencies Extension Version 0.21.1
Java Version: unknown
Java Location: undefined
Vendor Libraries:
KauaiLabs_navX_FRC (2023.0.3)
PathplannerLib (2023.4.3)
CTRE-Phoenix (v5) (5.30.4+23.0.11)
WPILib-New-Commands (1.0.0)

[Fake_Name131]

I use IntelliJ on my macbook for WPIlib and havent had any problems, but then again I also use IntelliJ on the laptop my team uses for robot programming so i’m used to it.

[Aaron-Flack]

that one.
I don’t know why it didn’t work before but deleting it and reinstalling it worked