Walton Robotics · Team 2974
Learn to program
a real robot.
Two phases. Eight weeks of Java foundations, then eight weeks of FRC-specific training. By the end of this course, you'll own a subsystem.
Two Phases
Phase 1 — Summer
Java Foundations
Pure Java, no robot required. Build up from variables and logic to full OOP. The bridge week at the end puts your code on an XRP.
- Variables, types & operators
- Logic & control flow
- Loops (and why while loops get you yelled at)
- Arrays & methods
- OOP — classes & objects
- Inheritance & polymorphism
- Enums, interfaces, ArrayLists
- Bridge week — XRP + WPILib intro
Begin Phase 1 →
Phase 2 — Offseason
FRC Training
Git workflow, WPILib, command-based architecture, PID, autos, and hands-on subsystem ownership on Watergate, Oasis, and Shosty.
- Git & the team's GitHub workflow
- WPILib setup & project structure
- Command-based architecture
- Motor controllers & sensors
- PID control & tuning
- Autonomous & PathPlanner
- Subsystem ownership capstone
- Build season prep & SCRUM
Begin Phase 2 →
How This Works
Format
Read → Code → Quiz
Each week has content, interactive code examples, fill-in-the-blank exercises, and a quiz at the end. Do them in order.
Questions
Ask the team first
Ask Hrehaan, Sohan, or Alexandra before going to Google. Real humans > Stack Overflow.
Tools
VS Code + JDK 17
Install VS Code with the Java Extension Pack. WPILib installs its own JDK — use that once you're in Phase 2.
Rule #1
No while loops in robot code
You'll learn exactly why in Week 3. Don't forget it. Banks will yell at you.
New this year: The course now lives on GitHub Pages instead of Canvas. If you find a mistake or want to contribute a better explanation, open a PR on the course repo.