Some things software folks should know - quasics/quasics-frc-sw-2015 GitHub Wiki

For competition support

  • How to check out code from the repository (minimally on Windows)
  • How to update code on a laptop to the current version
  • How to build the code for the robot
  • How to deploy the code to the robot
  • How to bring up the driver's station software
  • How to configure one or more cameras on the robot to stream to the Smart Dashboard
  • How to read the console log to look for problems

From an IT standpoint

  • How to reprogram a radio to work stand-alone (i.e., not as a bridge to the FMS)
  • How to update the firmware on the radio
  • (Advanced) How to update the firmware on the Rio
  • (Advanced) How to update the firmware on a CAN motor controller

For coding

  • Understand the core parts of the software infrastructure:
    • WPILib
    • Robot, subsystems, and commands
    • Main "Command" interface functions (how they interact, timing, etc.)
  • Version control basics
    • What is version control? Why use it?
    • Repository vs. local copies
    • How to do an initial check-out of code
    • How to check in your changes
    • How to update your code
    • What's a conflict, and how to resolve one
    • OK, how to check in your changes safely
  • Writing code
    • How to write a simple command
    • How to write a timed command
    • How to write a new subsystem
    • How to add debugging output