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).
+
To install and run Robocode, [http://www.java.com Java SE] must be installed on your computer. You should use the latest 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
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=== JRE vs. JDK ===
 +
You may choose between installing:
 +
* The [[wikipedia:Java Runtime Environment|Java Runtime Environment (JRE)]], which is the Java Virtual Machine used to execute Java programs.
 +
* 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.
  
−
==== Java from Sun is preferred ====
+
If you only want to run existing robots, install the JRE. If you want to develop Robocode robots, install the JDK.
−
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 ====
+
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.
−
You can choose between installing:
 
−
* The JRE (Java Runtime Environment), which consists of the Java Virtual Machine used for executing Java programs.
 
−
* The JDK (Java Development Kit), which contains a bundle of software for developing Java programs, including 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.
+
=== 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.
  
−
==Installation and configuration==
+
=== Multiple Java installations ===
−
=== Making sure Java is installed and configured properly ===
+
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.
−
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. 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 ===
+
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.
−
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.
 
−
====Set path on Windows====
 
−
Add the path to your '''PATH''' environment variable, e.g. <code>PATH=%PATH%;JAVA_HOME\bin</code>.
 
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:# Find where you installed Java. The default position at: <code>C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin</code>
 
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:# Copy all that. 
 
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:# Right click on My Computer and select Properties. The System dialogue should have appeared. On Vista/7, choose "Advanced system settings" in the sidebar. On XP, choose 'Advanced' tab.
 
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:# Now, click on "Environmental Variables" which is a button at the bottom right.
 
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:# 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 (Remember to put a semicolon down at the end of the original text first or something bad may happen) and paste in the path of your <code>java\bin</code> directory. The one you copied earlier. Then put a semicolon at the end of the java/bin text.
 
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:# Here's what an example Path value looks like: <code>%SystemRoot%\system32;%SystemRoot%;%SystemRoot%\System32\Wbem;C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\90\Tools\bin<strong style="color:red">;C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin</strong></code> (The highlighted text is what you may have to put down)
 
  
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====Set path on Windows 64-bit====
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=== Java from Oracle is preferred ===
−
Be careful when you install Java on Windows 64-bit the installation by default is
+
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.
−
<code>C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre6\bin</code>
 
−
So you must replace <code>C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin</code> by  <code>C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre6\bin</code> in PATH
 
  
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====Set path on Linux====
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== Installation and configuration ==
−
Many (perhaps most) Linux distributions include java in the path by default, so this is not needed. If it is in your case, add the path to your '''PATH''' environment variable <code>PATH=$PATH:$JAVA_HOME/bin</code> [http://www.troubleshooters.com/linux/prepostpath.htm].
+
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.
−
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==
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=== Setting environmental variables on Windows ===
−
=== 32-bit vs 64-bit Java ===
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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>.
−
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 might need to setup additional stuff in order to run Java properly on your Windows x64.
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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.
−
=== Multiple Java installations ===
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# Click on the "Environmental Variables" button at the bottom right.
−
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.
+
# 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. <br /><br /> [[File:javapath.png|600px]]
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
−
=== Installation Notes from Sun ===
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=== Installation Notes from Oracle ===
−
* [http://java.sun.com/javase/6/webnotes/install/index.html Java Platform Installation]: Find installation notes for Windows, Linux, and Solaris.
+
* [https://docs.oracle.com/javase/8/docs/technotes/guides/install/toc.html Java Platform Standard Edition Installation Guide]
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* [http://java.sun.com/javase/6/webnotes/install/system-configurations.html Supported System Configurations]: Find the installation notes for ''all'' supported systems.
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* [http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/certconfig-2095354.html Certified System Configurations]
−
 
 
−
=== Tutorials ===
 
−
* [[Robocode/Download|How to download and install Robocode]]
 
−
* [[Robocode/Robot Anatomy|The anatomy of a robot]]
 
−
* [[Robocode/Getting Started|Getting started with Robocode]]
 
−
* [[Robocode/My First Robot|My First Robot Tutorial]]
 
−
* [[Robocode/Game Physics|Robocode Game Physics]]
 
−
* [[Robocode/Scoring|Scoring in Robocode]]
 
−
* [[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]]
 
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* [[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 ===
 
−
* [http://sourceforge.net/export/rss2_project.php?group_id=37202 RSS Feeds for the Robocode project]
 
−
* [http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=37202&package_id=29609 Robocode file releases]
 
  
−
=== 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]]
 
[[Category:Robocode Documentation]]

Revision as of 22:46, 10 August 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 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.

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.

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.

Installation and configuration

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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