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What is C++ Programming?

In order to control your robot, you will be creating projects in C++ in VEXcode V5. This is a text-based language and it uses text and special syntax to write the instructions which ultimately tell the robot what to do. If you worked with block-based programming before, such as Block-based VEXcode V5, these text instructions are replacing the blocks.

An instruction is an entire line within the project. The instruction can contain portions of information for the device, the command, the parameters. The image below shows an instruction with each of these portions outlined.

A screenshot of C++ code in VEXcode, showing the main function. The code includes a command 'Drivetrain.driveFor(200, mm) with annotations indicating;Device, Command, and Parameters. The annotations are connected by red arrows pointing to the corresponding parts of the code

It’s important to remember specific rules for writing instructions in C++ in VEXcode V5. For example, capitalization has specific rules within instructions. Devices are capitalized, but the commands must be in camel case.

For more information on how to format the grammar and syntax, click here. It’s also helpful to remember that there is help available within VEXcode V5. Review how to access this help in C++.