4454's Robot Maze Challenge

What is this?

We have been working on a number of challenges this year to teach our large group of new members different skills. So one of our members decided that programming is a good skill to teach. Since we have been pretty consistant on using challenges to teach skills we created a Java program that allows people with little or no experience in java to solve a maze using code sometimes using hardcoding, using loops, or one of our "sensors."

File Structure

robotMazeChallenge
  /src
    Levels.java
    Maze.java
    robot.java
    Tools.java

Level Overview

Levels are generated in Maze.java and are ran in Tools.java. Levels are in String[] level.

Map Overview

Example Map: ROOOOBOOOOF

R: The robot.

O: Empty tile.

B: Bolder (Object blocking the way).

F: Flag (The goal to pick up).

File Overview

Levels.java (extends Maze.java)

This is the file where the code to run robot through the mazes is placed.

level[One - Ten](): Where you place the code that completes the different mazes.

anyLevel(): Where you place code that can complete any maze.

Maze.java

The code that contains the levels, the robot library and other logic.

time(int timeLength): Lets you set the max amount of moves in a level.

mapAllowed(boolean allowed): Lets you set if the user is allowed to view the map while completeing the level.

generate(int l): Generates the level into the map[]

destroyBolder(): If there is a bolder on the next tile, remove it.

ultrasonic(): Returns the distance to the wall or a close bolder.

lightSensor(): Returns true if there is a flag under the Robot. Will return false if not.

grabFlag(): If there is a flag under the Robot grab it. If not end the level.

moveForward(int steps): Moves the robot steps distance unless there is a bolder or a wall blocking it. If there is a bolder blocking the robot place Robot the tile before the bolder. If the Robot "crashes into the wall" end the level.

moveBackwards(int steps): See moveForward(int steps) but steps is reversed.

robot.java

Contains Tool.run(int l); where you can set the level.

Tools.java (extends Levels.java)

Contains functions that help run the maze program.

random(int min, int max): Generates a random integer between min and max.

run(int l): Generates and runs levels. If l == 0 run random level.

Built in Levels

Level 1

ROOOOOOOOF

Level 2

ROOOOOFOOO

Level 3

ROOOOOOOOOOF

Level 4

ROOOOOOOOFOO

Level 5

ROOBOOOOOF

Level 6

No map allowed.

ROOOOOOOFO

Level 7

No map allowed.

ROOOOOFOOO

Level 8

No map allowed.

ROOOOOOOOOFO

Level 9

No map allowed.

ROOOOOOBOOFO

Level 10

No map allowed.

ROOOBOBOOOFO

Example Robots

Level 1

void levelOne() {
  // To test set Tool.run to 1 in java
  moveForward(9);
  grabFlag();
}

WIP more example robots.

Making a Custom Level

Making levels is a little more complicated then I would like it to be but, it's not too hard.

Start in generate(int l) in the file Maze.java. Add an else if (l == [level #]) and then for each slot (up to 12 slots) add level[(# of array index])] = ["R", "O", "B" or "F"].

Then in the file Levels.java add void level[# in word](){}. This is where the user will put in the code they want to test with.

In Tools.java add else if (l == [level #]) {} in run(int l). Then add time([# of moves you want allowed]), mapAllowed([true or false]) and level[# in word]().

Any questions or concerns?

Create an issue.