Setting Up Your Computer for FRC Java Programming

1. Install Java SE 8

Make sure the correct version of Java SE 8 is installed. You will need the JDK (Java Software Development Kit); the current version is JDK 8u65.

The installation can be found on ​Oracle's site. Make sure to accept the license agreement, or it won't let you download.

2. Install Eclipse

For best performance and to avoid compatibility errors, download the latest version of Eclipse for Java Developers, currently ​Eclipse Mars.

​Eclipse Luna also works.

Troubleshooting

I downloaded a zip file, but no installer. How do I get Eclipse?

For versions before Eclipse Mars, Eclipse is actually a Java program, not an executable. To use, simply find the program file inside the folder hierarchy and open. As long as Java has been installed correctly, the application will start up successfully.

For ease of operation, it is usually beneficial to move the folder containing the Eclipse program files to a more appropriate place and/or create a shortcut to the program.

"No compiler/jdk found" - JAVA_HOME not set correctly

This error usually occurs when the Eclipse reference to the JDK is not set to the right location on the local computer.

To fix this, go to Window (Eclipse on Macs), Preferences, Java, and under the Java hierarchy, select Installed JREs and in the menu, make sure there is a valid link to a JDK on the local computer.

See ​here for more detailed instructions not covered here.

3. Install the Java FRC Plugins

These plugins will allow you to be able to program the roboRIO.

1. In Eclipse, select the Help menu in the top menu bar.
2. Select Install new software....
3. In the site field, enter in

   http://first.wpi.edu/FRC/roborio/release/eclipse/
   

4. In the menu below, check the box Show only software applicable to target environment.
5. Then select only the Java Plugins and click Next.
6. Accept all license agreements when they come up.
7. Click Install.
8. After installing, restart Eclipse. The plugins will continue to install when Eclipse starts back up. This is normal operation.

4. Creating a FRC Java Project

1. In Eclipse, right-click in the open space in the Package Explorer and select New >, and then inside the sub-menu that pops up, select Project.... Selecting Java Project... will not work.
2. Under WPILib Robot Java Development, select Robot Java Project.
3. After clicking next, if creating a FRC Java Project for the first time, there will be a prompt for team number. Enter

   2537
   

4. In the next screen, specify a unique, identifiable project name, preferably one that will not be confused with other, similar projects. Enter in a new, custom package hierarchy or leave the default.
5. Choose a project template:
   1. Iterative - cyclic program execution; your code is repeated every 20 ms
   2. Command-Based - event-driven program execution
   3. Simple - DO NOT USE (unless you're wilde lake)
6. Click Finish.