Overview
C++ is a programming language. It most of the applications you use are written in C++ or a similar language. You will write the programs to control your robot in C++. Like a spoken language, a programming language has a vocabulary and grammar rules. A C++ program can be thought of as a list of instructions, in order, for the computer to carry out.
Note: If you are already well-versed in programming, please complete the tutorials anyway. You should be able to do them quickly. For those of you who are new, please do not worry. You will be able to get through this material and program your robot!
To program, first create a step-by-step plan for how the computer will do what you want it to do. This plan is an algorithm.
For example, an algorithm for making a bowl of cereal might be:
- Take a bowl from the cabinet
- Place it on the counter
- Take out a box of cereal from the cabinet
- Open the box of cereal
- Pour the cereal from the box into the bowl until it almost reaches the top of the bowl
- Close the box
- Put the box back in the cabinet
- Open the fridge
- Take the milk from the fridge
- Open the milk
- Pour milk into the bowl until the cereal reaches the top of the bowl
- Close the milk
- Put the milk back into the fridge
- Take a spoon from the silverware drawer
- Put the spoon into the bowl
Algorithms are detailed and exact. When you program, the language will enforce this.
Next Step
Proceed to “First Program: Hello World”