University of Limerick1 Computer Applications CS 4815 Robocode

University of Limerick2 Module Objectives u This module will enable students to –Define what is meant by a framework –Define what is meant by an API –Define what is meant by event driven programming and callbacks –List several examples of events for a given system –Give examples of how the use of a particular framework implementation »and how it helps to achieve desired qualities –Lots and lots of programming experience

University of Limerick3 Contact Details u Chris Exton u Department Computer Science and Information Systems u Room: CSIS Building, Room 126 u u

University of Limerick4 Flexibility u Questions and discussion as we go u Slides, Exercises, Links etc available on the web

University of Limerick5 Assessment u Multiple choice exam 30% (week 7) u Competition 10% (week 9) –Cup »10 winning team (teams of 3) »8 second third fourth »6 next level »4 next level »2 for being a participant u Bonus 2 mark for cup officials 4 – (must be from different teams) u Assignment 25% (week 10) –Marks will be given individually u Final exam 35%

University of Limerick6 Time Management u You are expected to invest a significant amount of time outside the scheduled class hours in order to obtain good grades in this module u Proper time management is extremely crucial

University of Limerick7 Assignment Interviews and Feedback u The program you have written will be subject to face-to-face interview u The main purpose of the interview is two fold –to assess your comprehension of the work you have submitted and related course content –to provide an opportunity for you to receive timely face-to-face feedback on your work and progress during the semester

University of Limerick8 Assignment Interviews and Feedback u Your assignment grade will be determined by correctness, coding style, appropriate use of language constructs and your understanding of the code and ability to explain it in an interview u Your assignment will only be marked if you have attended the interview u It is your responsibility to make an interview appointment

University of Limerick9 Assessment u The ability to understand the fundamental principles of programming is an essential foundation to many future modules 30%D2 35%D1 40%C3 48%C2 52%C1 56%B3 60%B2 64%B1 72%A2 80%A1

University of Limerick10 Robocode u Robocode is a fun, easy to use battle simulator u Originally Robocode was developed by IBM (2001) u But is now opensource – u In short you create a robot using Java, put it onto a battlefield and let it battle against opponent robots created by others u Each Robocode participant creates his or her own robot using elements of the Java language, enabling a range of developers, from beginners to advanced to participate

University of Limerick11 What is a Robot ? u Can consists of one or more Java classes u Can be archived into a JAR package u Packager available from the Battlefield GUI u Robots can range from simplistic to extremely complex u They can work in teams –For example Droid have no scanner, but an extra 20 life –Droid robots can act as decoys, battering rams but need to communicate to others for information on battle field

University of Limerick12 Battle field u This houses the main simulation engine u It allows you to create, save and open new or existing battles u You can terminate, pause or resume a battle u Lets you obtain statistics on any robot using controls available in main arena u activate the IDE (Interactive Development Environment)

University of Limerick13 Assignment Summary u Create your own robot –I requires you over the next few weeks to develop and submit your Robocode robot as a team –Give it some form of intelligence »Lots of hints and tips on the web –Assessment will be carried out in the lab »So make sure you attend –You are not allowed to use the advanced robot features for you assignment

University of Limerick14 Other possabilities u I am intending winner(s) to go on to national competition to represent UL – –There will also be a bus willing supporters

University of Limerick15 The IDE … u The Robocode editor is a customised text editor for Java source files that make up a robot. u It is integrated with the Java compiler u It contains a customised Robot packager u You may of course use any other editor

University of Limerick16 The robot u A robot has a gun that rotates u A radar on top that also rotates u robot, gun and radar may rotate independently u The default is all aligned u This is all documented in the Javadoc of the Robocode API –An application programming interface (API) is a set of definitions of the ways one piece of computer software communicates with another. –In Robocodes case it lets you know how what methods/functions you are required to call to make your robot move, shoot, turn etc