Java robots in C#

[Steven Nagy]

Hello gurus,

I once had this program that interpreted a subset of the Java language
to allow you to write movement and shooting patterns for a software
"robot" which ran against a similarly programmed opponent. The idea was
to write the coolest algorythms to blast your opponent while dodging
their projectiles.

I also just read up about an old competition (1999) called "RoShamBot"
where you had to write a bot to battle another player's bot in 1000
rounds of paper scissors rock. This competition was in tradtional C.

I was wondering if there is anything around similar in C# or VB.NET? I
am thinking of instigating some sort of similar competition at my work.
The robot idea would be perfect because once a week the team could get
together and have their C# robots go at it. Then they could go away and
refine it before next weeks competition.

So if anyone can help, or is even doing something similar (in terms of
stimulating their staff's creative juices) I would love to hear from
you.

Many thanks,
Steven Nagy

 

[Michael C]

Hello gurus,

I once had this program that interpreted a subset of the Java language
to allow you to write movement and shooting patterns for a software
"robot" which ran against a similarly programmed opponent. The idea was
to write the coolest algorythms to blast your opponent while dodging
their projectiles.

There's no reason c# couldn't do this but what actually is your question.

BTW, wouldn't this kill productivity?

Michael

 

[Michael C]

BTW, wouldn't this kill productivity?

I can just imagine sitting at your desk with a choice of writing another
piece of code for some excruciatingly boring financial calculation, or
programming a robot that shoots things at other robots.....

Michael

 

[Tom Spink]

I can just imagine sitting at your desk with a choice of writing another
piece of code for some excruciatingly boring financial calculation, or
programming a robot that shoots things at other robots.....

Michael

Just so long as the robot doesn't have to calculate it's quarterly V.A.T.
return _before_ it fires.

;-)

 

[Steven Nagy]

Hello again,

Its more related towards improving development skill. Currently our
organisation has a variety of project teams with junior through to
senior developers. In house programming competitions are nothing new
and this is simply one form that I have witnessed that allows employees
to pit their skills against each other.

While these developers still have to meet project milestones, it is up
to them to manage the time they invest in the so called competition
robots. All our staff are adults and understand the concept of
accountability.

Yes I could probably rewrite the dualing robot environment, I thought I
would put out the feelers to see what other things companies are doing
along this line. If you are not doing anything similar at your
organisation then the chances are you can't help with my query.

Many thanks,
Steven Nagy

 

[Jon Skeet [C# MVP]]

I once had this program that interpreted a subset of the Java language
to allow you to write movement and shooting patterns for a software
"robot" which ran against a similarly programmed opponent. The idea was
to write the coolest algorythms to blast your opponent while dodging
their projectiles.

<snip>

There was a sort of equivalent of this when .NET first launched called
Terrarium. It was updated for 1.1, but it doesn't look like it's still
active. Anyway, have a look:

http://www.windowsforms.net/Applications/application.aspx?PageID=30
&tabindex=8

 

[Steven Nagy]

Thanks Jon, this is the kind of thing I had in mind.