Robocode/System Requirements

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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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