XpdWiki: RoboCode

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+ Describe RoboCode here. Please ;-)

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+ RoboCode is a simple game created by the IBM folks to help people learn OO programming. [anon]

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+ * http://robocode.alphaworks.ibm.com/ (IBM provide this clone of the game)

+ * http://robocoderepository.com/

+ * http://robocode.net/

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+ I'm told the licence is freebeer-ware, and that the most likely reason it isn't proper FreeSoftware is that they're shy about the quality of the code inside. I can't see anything about licensing on their site though.

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+ See also RealTimeBattle (GPL; robot programs can be written in any language, all communication with the main program is done via stdout/stdin).

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+ Sorry, I got this confused with GnuRobots when talking to folks at the RoboCodeWorkshop.³host³³date³November 20, 2002³agent³Mozilla/5.0 (X11; U; Linux i686; en-US; rv:1.1) Gecko/20020913 Debian/1.1-1³RoboCode

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+ On April 7th 2005 Robocode tanks roll into Tipperary Institute for the annual Robocode Programming competition. Students from third level colleges around the country will battle for the Irish Computer Society RoboCode Challenge Trophy. On the day of last year’s competition, motorists driving past the Tipperary Institute Thurles campus had to do a double take, as a Scorpion Tank, supplied by the Irish Defense Forces, posed menacingly at the competition entrance.

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+ This year’s event will feature a display from the Irish “Robot of Destruction” team, who will be exhibiting both the full size and miniature robots. Unlike the real-life destruction machines, RoboCode is a game where teams use Java, a programming language, to control robot tanks that battle with each other. The little graphical tanks need to be cleverly programmed to avoid being hit and smart enough to move around an arena without any kind of manual control. All of their intelligence is part of a single Java file, designed by the students. The arena is a large computer monitor that is projected onto a wall. Everyone can see the ruthless robots at work, including information about the energy level and radar scanning capability of each robot.

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+ During the past three months, third level colleges and university students have made perfect “battle bots” with on-board intelligence to maneuver and fire on screen. The RoboCode competition appeals to first year programming students. “It is intended as an opportunity for fresher years to demonstrate their programming abilities,” said James Greenslade, Director of ICT Department at Tipperary Institute. The best Robot Tanks from colleges and universities will battle to the finish in Thurles in an event sponsored by the Dell, Sun, the Irish Computer Society, PC Realm, Gamestop, Micromail and Stakelum’s Office Supplies.

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+ This year's exciting competition will feature “Pit Tanks” developed by special guests Patrick Collison, ESAT Young Scientist 2005 and Peter Benilov's "Robocode Targeting" project. Both Patrick and Peter attended Robocode 2004 as part of a school trip organised by their Castletroy College teacher Lisa Kiely. Secondary level schools are welcome to attend as part of the audience at this years event and should pre-book by contacting Rita Clohessy, in the ICT Department, on 0504 28250 or email [email protected] as places are limited. Full details for the event can be found on the Robocode website located at http://www.robocode.ie. Schools attending on the day will be included in a number of the competitions and draws taking place during the event.

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+ When the RoboCode final is played out in front of a cheering audience on April 7th, it will provide the National Showcase for Irish third level programming students, with the smarts to qualify for the finals. So “Let’s get ready to RUMBLE!!” in Tipperary Institute at the Robocode 2005 Programming Competition.