11Choosing a Programming Tool
22============================
3- You will need to select a programming tool to be able to write op modes
4- for your competition robot. FIRST strongly recommends that *all users *
3+
4+ You need to select a programming tool to be able to create op modes
5+ for your competition robot.
6+ An Op Mode or Operational Mode is program that tells the robot what to do.
7+ There are three programming tools that are available for you to use.
8+
9+ *FIRST * strongly recommends that **all users **
510begin by learning how to use the :ref: `Blocks programming
611tool <programming_resources/blocks/blocks-tutorial:blocks programming tutorial>`.
712
8- There are currently three programming tools that are available for the
9- teams to use:
13+ The Blocks Programming Tool
14+ ---------------------------
1015
11- 1. ** The Blocks Programming Tool ** - A visual, programming tool that
12- lets programmers use a web browser to create, edit and save their op
13- modes. This tool is recommended for novice programmers and for users
14- who prefer to design their op modes visually, using a drag-and-drop
15- interface.
16+ A visual programming tool that
17+ lets programmers use a web browser to create, edit and save their op
18+ modes. This tool is recommended for novice programmers and for users
19+ who prefer to design their op modes visually, using a drag-and-drop
20+ interface.
1621
1722.. image :: images/BlocksPicture1.jpg
23+ :alt: Blocks Programming Tool showing a graphical Blocks program.
1824
19- 2. **The OnBot Java Programming Tool ** - A text-based programming
20- tool that lets programmers use a web browser to create, edit and save
21- their Java op modes. This tool is recommended for programmers who
22- have basic to advanced Java skills and who would like to write
23- text-based op modes.
25+ The OnBot Java Programming Tool
26+ -------------------------------
27+ A text-based programming
28+ tool that lets programmers use a web browser to create, edit and save
29+ their Java op modes. This tool is recommended for programmers who
30+ have basic to advanced Java skills and who would like to write
31+ text-based op modes.
2432
2533.. image :: images/onBotJavaScreen.jpg
34+ :alt: OnBot Java Programming Tool showing Java source code.
2635
27- 3. **Android Studio ** - An advanced integrated development environment
28- for creating Android apps. This tool is the same tool that
29- professional Android app developers use. Android Studio is only
30- recommended for advanced users who have extensive Java programming
31- experience.
36+ Android Studio
37+ --------------
38+ An advanced integrated development environment
39+ for creating Android apps. This tool is the same tool that
40+ professional Android app developers use. Android Studio is only
41+ recommended for advanced users who have extensive Java programming
42+ experience.
3243
3344.. image :: images/androidStudioScreen.jpg
45+ :alt: Android Studio showing Java source code.
46+
47+ Recommendations
48+ ---------------
3449
3550Each tool has its own merits and weaknesses. For many users (especially
3651rookies and novice programmers), **the Blocks Programming Tool is
@@ -43,6 +58,7 @@ Tool. However, OnBot Java is a text-based tool and it requires that the
4358user have a sound understanding of the Java programming language.
4459
4560.. image :: images/ipadPhoneChromebook.jpg
61+ :alt: A tablet, a phone, and a laptop each showing the programming tools in use.
4662
4763It is important to note that with the Blocks Programming Tool and the
4864OnBot Java Programming Tool, a user only needs a web browser to create,
@@ -53,6 +69,7 @@ Android Studio is a powerful development tool. However, it requires
5369extensive Java programming knowledge. It also needs a dedicated laptop
5470to run the Android Studio software. Android Studio offers enhanced
5571editing and debugging features that are not available on the OnBot Java
56- Programming Tool. However, it is a more complicated tool and is only
57- recommended for advanced users.
72+ Programming Tool. However, it is a more complicated tool and you must
73+ spend time learning how to use it.
74+ It is only recommended for advanced users.
5875
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