Difference between revisions of "Robocode/System Requirements"

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Page describing the system requirement for installing and running the [[Robocode]] game.
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This page describes the system requirements for installing and running [[Robocode]].
  
 
== Robocode requires Java ==
 
== Robocode requires Java ==
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In order to install and run Robocode [http://java.com Java<sup>TM</sup>] must be pre-installed on your system. The current versions of Robocode requires at least Java 5 (aka Java 1.5.0) or preferable a newer version. Please notice, that Java can be downloaded for free, and will run on most operative systems. Also notice, that it is the Java SE (Standard Edition) we mean when talking about Java in this context.
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To install and run Robocode, [http://www.java.com Java SE] must be installed on your computer. You should use the latest stable version of Java, which at the time of this writing is Java SE 8. Java can be downloaded for free, and will run on almost all operating systems.
  
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== Do I have Java already? ==
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'''TL;DR:''' Download and install [http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/jdk8-downloads-2133151.html this].
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Before downloading and installing Java, you should first check if you have Java installed already, and also if you have the required version of Java for installing and running Robocode.
 
  
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You can check this from this page: http://www.java.com/en/download/installed.jsp
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== Choosing the right version of Java ==
  
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== JRE or JDK? ==
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=== JRE vs. JDK ===
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You can choose between installing:
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You may choose between installing:
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* The JRE (Java Runtime Environment), which consists of the Java Virtual Machine used for executing Java programs.
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* The [[wikipedia:Java Runtime Environment|Java Runtime Environment (JRE)]], which is the Java Virtual Machine used to execute Java programs.
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* The JDK (Java Development Kit), which contains a bundle of software for developing Java programs, and which also includes the JRE.
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* The [[wikipedia:Java Development Kit|Java Development Kit (JDK)]], which contains a bundle of software tools used for developing Java programs. The JDK includes the JRE.
  
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The JRE is the core part of Java, and typically takes up less space on your system, and is faster to download. So if you are new to Java, and just want to have a quick look at Robocode, I recommend that you download the JRE. If you are already used to program in Java, you might prefer the JDK. Notice, that you can always install the JRE first, and then the JDK later on, if you want to.
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If you only want to run existing robots, install the JRE. If you want to develop Robocode robots, install the JDK.
  
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Robocode just requires a JRE and includes the [http://jikes.sourceforge.net/ Jikes] compiler, which can be used for compiling robots, if no other compiler is available.
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If you are not sure, install the JDK. Note that you can always install the JRE first and the JDK later on if you want to.
  
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== 32-bit or 64-bit Java? ==
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=== 32-bit vs 64-bit Java ===
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If your operative system is not designed for 64-bit (like e.g. Windows Vista x64), you should never install a 64-bit version of Java. If you are running 64-bit, then the normal Java versions will probably run just fine on your 64-bit system. In general, I recommend that to stick to the normal (32-bit) versions of Java if you are running on Windows. The reason being, that currently you'll need to set up stuff manually when installing a 64-bit version of Java for Windows in order to let it run properly without any problems. Also notice, that the 64-bit versions of Java currently lack of tools like the Java Plug-in or Java Web Start for Windows.
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If you are using a 64-bit operating system (all modern Macs and most PCs after 2008 do), you should install Java x64. If you happen to be in the minority of people who still run a 32-bit operating system, install Java x86. You ''can'' install both versions, but there really is not much point.
  
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== Make sure Java is configured properly ==
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To determine whether you are using a 32-bit or 64-bit OS, [https://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch001121.htm follow these instructions].
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In most cases, when people run into problems when trying installing and running Robocode, 95% of the problems is due to a faulthy Java installation, wrong Java configuration, bad Java VM implementation and similar. Therefore, please read and follow the installation notes for how to install and configurate Java for your specific system.
 
  
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In some cases, people have more than one version of the JRE and/or JDK installed in their system. This is not necessarily a problem as long as your system has been properly configured to handle all of them. So if you (or any of your programs) don't need an older version of Java, then should uninstall it. The lesser Java Runtime Environments you have installed, the better, as your system might not get confused when it have to choose which Java version to use.
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=== Multiple Java installations ===
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Some computers have more than one version of the JRE and/or JDK installed on them. This is not a problem as long as your system has been properly configured.
  
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If you must choose between Java versions from different vendors, you should prefer the versions from Sun, which are typically less buggy than the ones provided from other vendors. At least, that is my experience.
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Nevertheless, if you (and all of your programs) don't need an older version of Java, then should uninstall it. The fewer versions of Java you have installed, the better.
  
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[[Category:Robocode Documentation|Robocode System Requirements]]
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=== Java from Oracle is preferred ===
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If you must choose between Java versions from different vendors, you should prefer the versions from Oracle. They are the official Java developers, and, in general, have the least buggy Java implementation. If you use Java from other vendors, Robocode might not be as stable or performant.
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== Configuring Java ==
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Make sure Java is installed and configured properly. 95% of the problems people run into when installing and running Robocode are due to a faulty Java installation, incorrect Java configuration, etc.
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=== Setting environmental variables on Windows ===
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# Find the path of the <code>bin</code> folder in where you installed Java. E.g. <code>C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.8.0_144\bin</code>.
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# Copy all of that.
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# Right-click on This PC/My Computer, and select Properties. The System panel should appear. Click on "Advanced system settings" in the left sidebar.
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# Click on the "Environmental Variables" button at the bottom right.
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# Under the category "System variables" in the lower box, scroll down to "Path" and double-click on it. (If "Path" does not exist, create it with the "New" button).
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# Add the path you copied in Step 1, to the list, with the "New" button. <br /><br /> [[File:javapath.png|600px]]
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== See also ==
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=== Installation Notes from Oracle ===
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* [https://docs.oracle.com/javase/8/docs/technotes/guides/install/toc.html Java Platform Standard Edition Installation Guide]
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* [http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/certconfig-2095354.html Certified System Configurations]
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{{RobocodeDocsList}}
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[[Category:Robocode Documentation]]

Latest revision as of 22:13, 19 October 2017

This page describes the system requirements for installing and running Robocode.

Robocode requires Java

To install and run Robocode, Java SE must be installed on your computer. You should use the latest stable version of Java, which at the time of this writing is Java SE 8. Java can be downloaded for free, and will run on almost all operating systems.

TL;DR: Download and install this.

Choosing the right version of Java

JRE vs. JDK

You may choose between installing:

If you only want to run existing robots, install the JRE. If you want to develop Robocode robots, install the JDK.

If you are not sure, install the JDK. Note that you can always install the JRE first and the JDK later on if you want to.

32-bit vs 64-bit Java

If you are using a 64-bit operating system (all modern Macs and most PCs after 2008 do), you should install Java x64. If you happen to be in the minority of people who still run a 32-bit operating system, install Java x86. You can install both versions, but there really is not much point.

To determine whether you are using a 32-bit or 64-bit OS, follow these instructions.

Multiple Java installations

Some computers have more than one version of the JRE and/or JDK installed on them. This is not a problem as long as your system has been properly configured.

Nevertheless, if you (and all of your programs) don't need an older version of Java, then should uninstall it. The fewer versions of Java you have installed, the better.

Java from Oracle is preferred

If you must choose between Java versions from different vendors, you should prefer the versions from Oracle. They are the official Java developers, and, in general, have the least buggy Java implementation. If you use Java from other vendors, Robocode might not be as stable or performant.

Configuring Java

Make sure Java is installed and configured properly. 95% of the problems people run into when installing and running Robocode are due to a faulty Java installation, incorrect Java configuration, etc.

Setting environmental variables on Windows

  1. Find the path of the bin folder in where you installed Java. E.g. C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.8.0_144\bin.
  2. Copy all of that.
  3. Right-click on This PC/My Computer, and select Properties. The System panel should appear. Click on "Advanced system settings" in the left sidebar.
  4. Click on the "Environmental Variables" button at the bottom right.
  5. Under the category "System variables" in the lower box, scroll down to "Path" and double-click on it. (If "Path" does not exist, create it with the "New" button).
  6. Add the path you copied in Step 1, to the list, with the "New" button.

    Javapath.png

See also

Installation Notes from Oracle

Robocode API

Beginner Guides

External Editors

.NET Robots

Links

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