Join Our Programming Team: Master Java and Robotics Code

Programming is responsible for bringing life to the robot! As a programming member, your job is to add code that allows the robot to control its mechanisms, detect objects via sensors, and drive autonomously. A big part of being a programming member is being able to learn and solve problems independently while collaborating effectively with your teammates. Quality of software is what often one the determining factor of success within this competition.

Specifics: Our robot is programmed with Java using Android Studio as our development environment to write, execute, and upload code to the robot.

The Tools We'll Be Using (Get A Solid Understanding For Each!!!):

Important!!! Make sure to look up anything you don't know. If you still need help, feel free to reach out to us @ lohsroboticsftc@gmail.com

Android Studio

• Our main IDE for developing code in Java

• Originally designed for making Android apps, but we use it for FTC robot programming

• Learn the interface, how to create projects, and basic debugging tools

• Action Item: Download Android Studio

GitHub/Git

• Essential for collaborating on code with team members

• Version control system that tracks changes and manages code history

• What is GitHub? Research collaborative software development workflows

• Action Item: Create a GitHub account and learn basic Git commands (clone, commit, push, pull)

FTC Control Hub

• The "brains" of our robot - where all our code runs

• Study Resource: https://ftc-docs.firstinspires.org/en/latest/programming_resources/shared/control_system_intro/The-FTC-Control-System.html

• Understand how it communicates with motors, sensors, and driver station

Resources: Here are step-by-step resources to gain a head start in joining our team. An important part of being able to join our programming team is demonstrating you can work through and solve problems independently.

Step 1: Master Java for FTC Learn the basics of Java programming language, specifically in the FTC robotics context:

• Primary Resource: https://github.com/alan412/LearnJavaForFTC/tree/master

• Action Item: Work through the exercises within this guide - practicing these problems will significantly improve your programming skills

• Focus on understanding variables, loops, conditionals, and object-oriented programming concepts

Step 2: Explore Advanced FTC Programming Concepts Start scanning through the Tech Toolbox: https://ftc-tech-toolbox.vercel.app/docs/category/getting-started

• This website will deepen your understanding of various code implementations you'll use as a programming member

• Study topics like motor control, sensor integration, and autonomous programming strategies

• Pay special attention to PID controllers and state machines

Step 3: Understand Our Team's Codebase Take time to explore our actual robot code in our GitHub repository: https://github.com/par26/FtcRobotController-2425

• Don't worry if you don't understand everything initially - this is normal!

• Focus on identifying code structure, commenting, and how different files work together

• As long as you work through the previous resources, our team leads will guide you through our specific code during the season

Next Steps: Once you've worked through these resources, reach out to our programming leads to discuss joining the team. Come prepared with questions about concepts you found challenging - this shows us you're actively learning and problem-solving!