Getting Started

The folowing set of instructions is to help one get ready to download code to a cRio robot controller.

Installing the required software

  1. Download:
    a.) Netbeans (Get the JavaSE version)
    b.) FRC Java Plugins for Netbeans
    c.) Utilities Update
    d.) Driver Station Update
  2. Now that you have those items downloaded, install items a, c and d
  3. Earlier you downloaded a zip archive (2012JavaUpdate3077.zip), locate it and extract its content somewhere you can remember.
  4. Open Netbeans, once its installed (It may take a while depending on your computer.)
  5. go to: Tools > Plugins > Downloaded (tab)> Add Plugins (button)
  6. Locate the plugins you extracted in step 3. add them all to the install list.
  7. Press the Install button
  8. You may get a message or messages saying that the plugins aren't signed, just next through those and agree to the licence terms.

Now you are ready to create your first FRC Java project.

Setting your team number

(on pc) Tools > options > Miscellaneous(tab) > FRC Configuration(tab) > Enter your team Number

Creating your first FRC Java Project

  1. Open Netbeans
  2. File > New Project
  3. FRC Java (If Missing makes sure you followed the Installing the Required software section above.)
  4. Choose SimpleRobotTemplateProject
  5. All the fields are fairly straightforward, with a few exceptions:
        a. You should change the name of the project.
        b. I would recommend also changing the project package to: edu.teamxxyy (xxyy is your team number)
        c. Robot Class: MyRobot (You can use a different name.)
    NOTE: if you are importing someone else's code, you will need to change the Robot Class field to whatever  they called it, you can find it in the code as the part of the opening statment, something like "public class LunacyBot". In that case, Robot Class would be LunacyBot.
  6. Click the Finish button. Netbeans will now create your robot project.
  7. On the left side of your screen you should see the project you just created with two things under it. src and build.xml
  8. Click the small plus next to src
  9. Then the plus next to edu.team2648
  10. Now you should see MyRobot.java : Double click it (Open for editing)
  11. You should now see the default code that is provided for you as a basis for simple robot projects. 
  12. Now you can begin developing your code.

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Downloading code

So you are ready to download your code to your cRio and test it out!
  1. Right click on the project you wish to download to your robot
  2. Choose Set as Main Project 
  3. Make sure your Robot is turned on and connected to your computer with an Ethernet cable.
  4. Your computer will need to have an IP address on the same subnet as your robot. (ie. 10.26.48.5) Directions
  5. If there were no problems with the download you should see an output window that says Build Successfull

Troubleshooting

As with any complex task there are many hundreds of thousands of things that could go wrong. Below I have listed a few common ones Symptoms and Cause. If your problem isn't listed here the next step in your trobuleshooting adventure is to ask the intelegent people on Chief Delphi or on the FiIRST Forums. 

Symptom

Build Failed Message in the Output window


More to come...

Cause

Most commonly you have some code that is incorrect, missing a semicolon or is trying to used a port already used.
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