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)