Software Training Guide Help

FRC Software Jargon

A bunch of terms that you will hear software and everyone else use often. Helpful to know.

General Vocabulary

  • FRC: FIRST Robotics Competition

  • RIO: RoboRIO, the main controller for FRC robots

  • CAN: Controller Area Network (Used to connect devices)

  • CAD: Computer Aided Design

  • PDH: Power Distribution Hub

  • CD: Chief Delphi, a popular FRC forum

  • GP: Gracious Professionalism

  • LED: Light Emitting Diode

  • VRM: Voltage Regulator Module

  • TBA: The Blue Alliance

Competition Vocabulary

  • FMS: Field Management System

  • CSA: Control System Advisor

  • FTA: Field Technical Advisor

  • Auto: Autonomous Period

  • Teleop: Teleoperated Period

  • Endgame: The last 30 seconds of the match

Software Vocabulary

  • WPILib: WPI Library

  • GradleRIO: Build tool used in FRC

  • VSCode: Visual Studio Code, a common IDE

  • IntelliJ: IDE used for Java and Kotlin (Thanks Om)

  • PID: Proportional Integral Derivative

  • AprilTag: QR code like symbols that are used for vision

  • Gyro: Gyroscope, measures rotation

  • Deprecated: A feature that is no longer supported and should not be used unless necessary

  • MOI: Moment of Inertia

  • NT: Network Tables, great to display data

  • AS: Advantage Scope

  • AK: Advantage Kit

Common Vendors

  • CTRE: Cross The Road Electronics

  • NI: National Instruments

  • REV: REV Robotics

  • WCP: West Coast Products

  • SDS: Swerve Drive Specialties

  • AM: AndyMark

Last modified: 18 March 2025