Programming Languages used in High School Robotics

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the programming languages commonly used in high school robotics clubs, particularly in the context of preparing for participation in such clubs. Participants share their experiences and recommendations regarding programming languages that may be beneficial for robotics and general programming skills.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses interest in learning Java due to an upcoming camp, seeking advice on programming languages used in high school robotics.
  • Another participant suggests that assembly language or Arduino (C programming) might be commonly used, recommending the purchase of an Arduino for practice.
  • A different participant mentions that if a Raspberry Pi is used, Python would be the programming language, highlighting the availability of introductory books and starter kits for both Arduino and Raspberry Pi.
  • One participant argues that Python is the easiest language for robotics, but also suggests C++ as a more challenging alternative.
  • A participant notes that FIRST robotics uses a National Instruments cRio controller, primarily programming in Labview but allowing for C or Java as alternatives.
  • Another participant shares their experience with VEX robotics kits, stating that they used C and found similarities with Java, suggesting that learning Java or C would be more beneficial than Python.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of opinions on the most suitable programming languages for high school robotics, with no clear consensus on a single language. Some advocate for Java or C, while others support Python, indicating a variety of preferences and experiences.

Contextual Notes

Participants' recommendations depend on specific robotics platforms and personal experiences, which may not universally apply to all high school robotics programs. There are also differing views on the relevance of Python compared to Java and C.

intellect7
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Hey everyone, because I have lots of free time over the summer, I have decided to take up learning a programming language. (I have never programmed). I am leaning toward Java, because the ID Tech camp I am going to teaches primarily in Java.

However, in the next academic school year I plan to join the robotics club at my high school. I know that in robotics clubs, you do not only build robots, but you program them to do tasks.

I would like to know what programming languages are used in your/most high school robotics clubs when competing. Also any other suggestions for programming languages to learn that have nothing to do with robotics.


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Though I don't have direct experience in high school robotics, my guess would be that their either using assembly language or arduino, which is C programming. If you want to know exactly what they're using, call your school.

I would recommend buying an arduino and working through the many beginner projects over the summer. Even if this isn't what the school is using, the skills you learn will be valuable and will translate well.
 
If the controller is a raspberry pi then the language would be python.

Both platforms arduino and rpi have good intro books by Orielly pubs in the Getting Started series.

Also both platforms have starter kits arduino osepp kit $50 on amazon and rpi starter kit $104 on adafruit.com
 
Yeah, Python's probably the easiest to learn and apply to robotics, as jedi pointed out. However, if you find yourself wanting to get really hardcore and want a more difficult challenge, C++ would probably be my second choice.
 
FIRST robotics, the high school robotics organization, uses a National Instruments cRio controller. While they encourage the use of Labview for programming it is possible to use C or Java,
 
In our high school we used VEX robotics kits and those were running C. But when I was in that class I was also in a java programming class and found the two languages to have many similarities so it was a lot easier to program in robotics even though they were using a different language.

I doubt that your school would use raspberry pi but it could use arduino which is similar to java and C. So I don't really think you should learn python

I would go Java or C
 

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