Lesson 8
Software & Programming
How to show off your team's software work in your portfolio.
Your software work deserves just as much attention as your mechanical design. Here's how to present it well in your portfolio.
Why Software Matters
A lot of teams put all their focus on the mechanical side but don't realize how much judges care about software. Your code shows problem-solving, optimization, and engineering thinking - all things judges look for.
What to Include
Software Architecture How is your code organized? What design patterns do you use?
Key Algorithms Autonomous routines, control systems, vision processing, etc.
Unique Implementations What makes your code different or better than standard approaches?
Path Planning Libraries or custom code used for auto path planning.
Performance Improvements How your software evolved and improved throughout the season.
Challenges Overcome Technical problems and the creative solutions you found.
Example: Software Architecture Diagram
You can also summarize your software structure visually:
Driver Input
Gamepad 1 Gamepad 2
Control Layer
Drive Controller Arm Controller Vision Pipeline
Hardware
Motors Servos Sensors Camera
How to Present Code
Most judges won't understand your code, so focus on explaining the concepts rather than the syntax:
1
Use Diagrams Diagrams showing how your autonomous routine works
2
Provide Context Explain why you chose each approach and what problem it solves
3
Show Results How much faster? More accurate? More reliable?
4
Keep It Simple Don't overwhelm with technical terms. Keep it clear.
Allocation Guidelines
Software typically occupies 1-2 pages
The exact amount depends on:
How software-focused your strategy is
The complexity of your autonomous routines
How much software improved your season performance
Space available after covering mechanical systems
Remember: If your team's strength is software, you can allocate more space. If mechanical is your focus, 1 page is sufficient.
The portfolio should reflect your team's priorities.