Programming Guide

Learn by trying. Play with your code, see how changing aspects of it changes the outcomes, and toy with it to learn. It's much easier to learn by testing things yourself than by just reading and copying.

Start with the basics. Trying to code like a 4 year coding student feels impossible when you first start learning. Start by coding wheels and drives, learning how to code motor movement, and then move up to more complex systems. Empires aren't built in a day and you'll get there!

Write down notes and ideas so you don't forget and you have a reference. This can be a lifesaver when coming back to code you haven't seen for some time.

Commenting in code is helpful. Make comments as you go. This can help you include code in your engineering notebook as well.

Don't be afraid to ask for help! It's not shameful to need help. Code can be tricky and older students might have insight on what the issue is. Important information can be shared between robotics generations. Ask for help from parents, coaches, teachers, fellow students, and others.

Find online resources. The VEX forums and VEX unofficial discord server can be valuable tools to seeing different styles of code and ideas. It also can help create friendships across schools for the future.

Don't just read through sample code and other's code. Use it. Change values to see what changes. Play with it to find what works and what doesn't. Otherwise, you likely won't remember or gain much knowledge from it.

Take breaks to de-stress. Going crazy is the last thing you want to do while coding. Come back to difficult parts with fresh eyes and take time to not stress too much.

Read books and find other resources on the code that you're writing to help further your understanding.

Learn from the bugs in your code and keep going. Try to make less mistakes each time you code, so you perpetually learn and improve. It's important not to give up! Perfection isn't a requirement.

Coders are amazing and bring life to robots. Keep going! Learn, Progress, and have fun!