Difference between revisions of "Robocode/System Requirements"

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== 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 installed on your system. The current version of Robocode requires at least Java 5 (aka Java 1.5.0) or newer. Java can be downloaded for free, and will run on most operating systems. Also note that, when we refer to Java, we mean Java SE (Standard Edition).
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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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Before downloading and installing Java, you should first check if you have a sufficient Java installation already. You can check this from this page: http://www.java.com/en/download/installed.jsp
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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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You can choose between installing:
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== Choosing the right version of Java ==
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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 JDK (Java Development Kit), which contains a bundle of software for developing Java programs, including the JRE.
 
  
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The JRE is the core part of Java - it typically takes up less space on your system and is faster to download. Robocode requires just a JRE; if you are new to Java and just want to have a quick look at Robocode, it is recommended that you get this smaller version. If you are already used to programming in Java, you might prefer the JDK. Note that you can always install the JRE first and the JDK later on if you want to. Also, if you have a JRE but no JDK, Robocode will automatically set up the [http://jikes.sourceforge.net/ Jikes] compiler.
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=== JRE vs. JDK ===
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You may choose between installing:
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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 [[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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=== 32-bit vs. 64-bit Java ===
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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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If you do not have a 64-bit operating system, 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, it is recommended that to stick to the normal (32-bit) versions of Java if you are running Robocode on Windows, since currently you'll need to set up stuff manually in order to get a 64-bit Java to 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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=== Making sure Java is configured properly ===
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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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95% of the problems people run into when installing and running Robocode are due to a faulty Java installation, wrong Java configuration, bad Java VM implementation, etc. Please read and follow the installation notes for how to install and configure 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 less Java Runtime Environments you have installed, the better, as your system is less likely to get confused when it has to choose which Java version to use.
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=== 32-bit vs 64-bit Java ===
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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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If you must choose between Java versions from different vendors, you should prefer the versions from Sun Microsystems. They are the official Java providers and, in general, have the least buggy Java implementation.
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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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=== 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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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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=== 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]]
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
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* [[Robocode/Download]]
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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|Robocode System Requirements]]
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[[Category:Robocode Documentation]]

Latest revision as of 21:13, 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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