Difference between revisions of "Robocode/System Requirements"

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:

The Java Runtime Environment (JRE), which is the Java Virtual Machine used to execute Java programs.
The Java Development Kit (JDK), which contains a bundle of software tools used for developing Java programs. The JDK includes the JRE.

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

Find the path of the bin folder in where you installed Java. E.g. C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.8.0_144\bin.
Copy all of that.
Right-click on This PC/My Computer, and select Properties. The System panel should appear. Click on "Advanced system settings" in the left sidebar.
Click on the "Environmental Variables" button at the bottom right.
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).
Add the path you copied in Step 1, to the list, with the "New" button.

@@ Line 2: / Line 2: @@
 == Robocode requires Java ==
-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).
+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.
-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
+'''TL;DR:''' Download and install [http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/jdk8-downloads-2133151.html this].
-==== Java from Sun is preferred ====
+== Choosing the right version of Java ==
-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. If you use Java from other vendors, Robocode might not run stable.
-==== JRE and JDK ====
+=== JRE vs. JDK ===
-You can choose between installing:
+You may choose between installing:
-* The JRE (Java Runtime Environment), which consists of the Java Virtual Machine used for executing Java programs.
+* The [[wikipedia:Java Runtime Environment|Java Runtime Environment (JRE)]], which is the Java Virtual Machine used to execute Java programs.
-* The JDK (Java Development Kit), which contains a bundle of software for developing Java programs, including the JRE.
+* 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.
-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.
+If you only want to run existing robots, install the JRE. If you want to develop Robocode robots, install the JDK.
-==Installation and configuration==
+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.
-=== Making sure Java is installed and configured properly ===
-% 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. If something went wrong with this instructions please read and follow the installation notes for how to install and configure Java for your specific system.
-=== PATH must be set ===
+=== 32-bit vs 64-bit Java ===
-Note that it is really important that you point at the 'bin' folder, and not just JAVA_HOME. The PATH must be set so your system knows where to locate <code>java.exe</code>, which is used to start the Java VM that Robocode requires.
+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.
-====Set path on Windows====
-Add the path to your '''PATH''' environment variable, e.g. <code>PATH=%PATH%;JAVA_HOME\bin</code>.
-:# Find where you installed Java. The default position at: <code>C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin</code>
-:# Copy all that.
-:# Right click on My Computer and select Properties. The System dialogue should have appeared. On Vista, choose "Advanced system settings" in the sidebar. On XP, choose 'Advanced' tab.
-:# Now, click on "Environmental Variables" which is a button at the bottom right.
-:# Under the category "System variables" which is the lower box, scroll down to "Path" and double click on it.
-:# In "Variable value", go to the end of all that text and paste in the path of your java\bin directory. The one you copied earlier. Then put a semicolon <code>;</code> Here's what my Path value looks like: "set PATH=%PATH%%SystemRoot%\system32;%SystemRoot%;%SystemRoot%\System32\Wbem;C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\90\Tools\binn\;C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI.ACE\Core-Static;C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin;"
-====Set path on Linux====
-Add the path to your '''PATH''' environment variable <code>PATH=$PATH:$JAVA_HOME/bin</code> [http://www.troubleshooters.com/linux/prepostpath.htm].
-Please consult the manual for your distribution. For Gentoo you can find usefully information at the [http://www.gentoo.org/doc/en/handbook/handbook-x86.xml?part=2&chap=5 handbook].
-==Troubleshooting==
+To determine whether you are using a 32-bit or 64-bit OS, [https://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch001121.htm follow these instructions].
-=== 32-bit vs. 64-bit Java ===
-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 32-bit versions of Java on Windows x64, unless you need install the newest versions of Java 6 Update 12 (64-bit) or never. With older versions you migth need to setup additional stuff in order to run Java properly on your Windows x64.
 === Multiple Java installations ===
-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.
+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.
-== See also ==
+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.
-=== Installation Notes from Sun ===
-* [http://java.sun.com/javase/6/webnotes/install/index.html Java Platform Installation]: Find installation notes for Windows, Linux, and Solaris.
+=== Java from Oracle is preferred ===
-* [http://java.sun.com/javase/6/webnotes/install/system-configurations.html Supported System Configurations]: Find the installation notes for ''all'' supported systems.
+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.
-=== Tutorials ===
+=== Setting environmental variables on Windows ===
-* [[Robocode/Download|How to download and install Robocode]]
+# 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>.
-* [[Robocode/Robot Anatomy|The anatomy of a robot]]
+# Copy all of that.
-* [[Robocode/Getting Started|Getting started with Robocode]]
+# Right-click on This PC/My Computer, and select Properties. The System panel should appear. Click on "Advanced system settings" in the left sidebar.
-* [[Robocode/My First Robot|My First Robot Tutorial]]
+# Click on the "Environmental Variables" button at the bottom right.
-* [[Robocode/Game Physics|Robocode Game Physics]]
+# 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).
-* [[Robocode/Scoring|Scoring in Robocode]]
+# Add the path you copied in Step 1, to the list, with the "New" button. <br /><br /> [[File:javapath.png|600px]]
-* [[Robocode/Robot Console|Using the robot console]]
-* [[Robocode/Downloading_Robots|Downloading other robots]]
-* [[Robocode/Learning from Robots|Learning from other robots]]
-* [[Robocode/Package Robot|Package your robot]]
-* [[Robocode/FAQ|Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)]]
-* [[Robocode/Articles|Articles about Robocode]]
-* [[Robocode/Console Usage|Starting Robocode from the command line]]
-* [[Robocode/Graphical_Debugging|Graphical debugging]]
-* [[Robocode/Eclipse|Using Eclipse as IDE]]
-* [[Robocode/Eclipse/Create_a_Project|Creating a project for your robots]]
-* [[Robocode/Eclipse/Create_a_Robot|Creating a robot in Eclipse]]
-* [[Robocode/Running from Eclipse|Running your robot from Eclipse]]
-* [[Robocode/Eclipse/Debugging Robot|Debugging your robot with Eclipse]]
-=== News and Releases ===
+== See also ==
-* [http://sourceforge.net/export/rss2_project.php?group_id=37202 RSS Feeds for the Robocode project]
+=== Installation Notes from Oracle ===
-* [http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=37202&package_id=29609 Robocode file releases]
+* [https://docs.oracle.com/javase/8/docs/technotes/guides/install/toc.html Java Platform Standard Edition Installation Guide]
+* [http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/certconfig-2095354.html Certified System Configurations]
-=== Home pages ===
+{{RobocodeDocsList}}
-* [http://robocode.sourceforge.net/ Classic homepage]
-* [http://sourceforge.net/projects/robocode Robocode project at SourceForge]
-* [http://robocoderepository.com/ Robocode Repository]
-* [[wikipedia:Robocode|Wikipediaentry for Robocode]]
 [[Category:Robocode Documentation]]

Difference between revisions of "Robocode/System Requirements"

Latest revision as of 21:13, 19 October 2017

Contents

Robocode requires Java

Choosing the right version of Java

JRE vs. JDK

32-bit vs 64-bit Java

Multiple Java installations

Java from Oracle is preferred

Configuring Java

Setting environmental variables on Windows

See also

Installation Notes from Oracle

Robocode API

Beginner Guides

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.NET Robots

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