- FRC Game Manual
- FRC Game Q&A

# Using the LabVIEW Dashboard with C++, Java, or Python Code

The default LabVIEW Dashboard utilizes NetworkTables to pass values and is therefore compatible with C++, Java, and Python robot programs. This article covers the keys and value ranges to use to work with the Dashboard.

## Drive Tab

The Select Autonomous… dropdown can be used so show the available autonomous routines and choose one to run for the match.

JAVA

    SmartDashboard.putStringArray("Auto List", {"Drive Forwards", "Drive Backwards", "Shoot"});
       // At the beginning of auto
    String autoName = SmartDashboard.getString("Auto Selector", "Drive Forwards") // This would make "Drive Forwards the default auto
    switch(autoName) {
       case "Drive Forwards":
       // auto here
       case "Drive Backwards":
       // auto here
       case "Shoot":
       // auto here
    }

C++

    frc::SmartDashboard::PutStringArray("Auto List", {"Drive Forwards", "Drive Backwards", "Shoot"});
       // At the beginning of auto
    String autoName = SmartDashboard.GetString("Auto Selector", "Drive Forwards") // This would make "Drive Forwards the default auto
    switch(autoName) {
       case "Drive Forwards":
       // auto here
       case "Drive Backwards":
       // auto here
       case "Shoot":
       // auto here
    }

PYTHON

    from wpilib import SmartDashboard
       SmartDashboard.putStringArray("Auto List", ["Drive Forwards", "Drive Backwards", "Shoot"])
       # At the beginning of auto
    autoName = SmartDashboard.getString("Auto Selector", "Drive Forwards") # This would make "Drive Forwards the default auto
    match autoName:
       case "Drive Forwards":
          # auto here
       case "Drive Backwards":
          # auto here
       case "Shoot":
          # auto here

Sending to the “Gyro” NetworkTables entry will populate the gyro here.

JAVA

    SmartDashboard.putNumber("Gyro", drivetrain.getHeading());

C++

    frc::SmartDashboard::PutNumber("Gyro", Drivetrain.GetHeading());

PYTHON

    from wpilib import SmartDashboard
    SmartDashboard.putNumber("Gyro", self.drivetrain.getHeading())

There are four outputs that show the motor power to the drivetrain. This is configured for 2 motors per side and a tank style drivetrain. This is done by setting “RobotDrive Motors” like the example below.

JAVA

    SmartDashboard.putNumberArray("RobotDrive Motors", {drivetrain.getLeftFront(), drivetrain.getRightFront(), drivetrain.getLeftBack(), drivetrain.getRightBack()});

C++

    frc::SmartDashboard::PutNumberArray("Gyro", {drivetrain.GetLeftFront(), drivetrain.GetRightFront(), drivetrain.GetLeftBack(), drivetrain.GetRightBack()});

PYTHON

    from wpilib import SmartDashboard
    SmartDashboard.putNumberArray("RobotDrive Motors", [self.drivetrain.getLeftFront(), self.drivetrain.getRightFront(), self.drivetrain.getLeftBack(), self.drivetrain.getRightBack()])

## Basic Tab

The Basic tab uses a number of keys in the a “DB” sub-table to send/receive Dashboard data. The LED’s are output only, the other fields are all bi-directional (send or receive).

### Strings

The strings are labeled top-to-bottom, left-to-right from “DB/String 0” to “DB/String 9”. Each String field can display at least 21 characters (exact number depends on what characters). To write to these strings:

JAVA

    SmartDashboard.putString("DB/String 0", "My 21 Char TestString");

C++

    frc::SmartDashboard::PutString("DB/String 0", "My 21 Char TestString");

PYTHON

    from wpilib import SmartDashboard
    SmartDashboard.putString("DB/String 0", "My 21 Char TestString")

To read string data entered on the Dashboard:

JAVA

    String dashData = SmartDashboard.getString("DB/String 0", "myDefaultData");

C++

    std::string dashData = frc::SmartDashboard::GetString("DB/String 0", "myDefaultData");

PYTHON

    from wpilib import SmartDashboard
    dashData = SmartDashboard.getString("DB/String 0", "myDefaultData")

### Buttons and LEDs

The Buttons and LEDs are boolean values and are labeled top-to-bottom from “DB/Button 0” to “DB/Button 3” and “DB/LED 0” to “DB/LED 3”. The Buttons are bi-directional, the LEDs are only able to be written from the Robot and read on the Dashboard. To write to the Buttons or LEDs:

JAVA

    SmartDashboard.putBoolean("DB/Button 0", true);

C++

    frc::SmartDashboard::PutBoolean("DB/Button 0", true);

PYTHON

    from wpilib import SmartDashboard
    SmartDashboard.putBoolean("DB/Button 0", true)

To read from the Buttons: (default value is false)

JAVA

    boolean buttonValue = SmartDashboard.getBoolean("DB/Button 0", false);

C++

    bool buttonValue = frc::SmartDashboard::GetBoolean("DB/Button 0", false);

PYTHON

    from wpilib import SmartDashboard
    buttonValue = SmartDashboard.getBoolean("DB/Button 0", false)

### Sliders

The Sliders are bi-directional analog (double) controls/indicators with a range from 0 to 5. To write to these indicators:

JAVA

    SmartDashboard.putNumber("DB/Slider 0", 2.58);

C++

    frc::SmartDashboard::PutNumber("DB/Slider 0", 2.58);

PYTHON

    from wpilib import SmartDashboard
    SmartDashboard.putNumber("DB/Slider 0", 2.58)

To read values from the Dashboard into the robot program: (default value of 0.0)

JAVA

    double dashData = SmartDashboard.getNumber("DB/Slider 0", 0.0);

C++

    double dashData = frc::SmartDashboard::GetNumber("DB/Slider 0", 0.0);

PYTHON

    from wpilib import SmartDashboard
    dashData = SmartDashboard.getNumber("DB/Slider 0", 0.0)