Robocode Lesson: Improved Scanning

In this lesson, we will improve on scanning techniques.

The EnemyBot homework correpsonds with this robocode lesson.

The Problem with NarrowBeam

A recurring theme in the computer industry is that the solution to one problem leads to the creation of another. Fittingly, having solved the problem of how to lock onto a target, we are now faced with another problem, which the following screenshot illustrates:

Note that NarrowBeam has locked on so tightly to Crazy that he is blithely unaware that Tracker is killing him from behind.

This is the problem with NarrowBeam: other robots can still sneak up behind and he'll never know they're there. Oscillator does a little better than this by having a wider scan range, but he tends to get a little unfocused, at times.

We could scan around periodically, but that would mean losing our target! What's a bot to do?

Enemy Tracking

Using the EnemyBot Class

A further improvement that could be made would be to single out an individual robot, focus on him, and destroy him completely. The sample robot Tracker does this to a limited extent, but we'll do one better with the EnemyBot class you guys all wrote.

To keep track of the information about an enemy robot, you first need to make a member variable in your robot like so:

class MyRobot extends AdvancedRobot {
	private EnemyBot enemy = new EnemyBot();
	...

public void run() {
	setAdjustRadarForRobotTurn(true);
	enemy.reset();
	while (true) {
		setTurnRadarRight(360);
		...
		execute();
	}
}   

public void onScannedRobot(ScannedRobotEvent e) {
	// if we have no enemy or we found the one we're tracking..
	if (enemy.none() || e.getName().equals(enemy.getName())) {
		// track him!
		enemy.update(e);
	}
	...

There is one last detail, though, if the enemy you're tracking dies, you'll want to reset it so you can track another. To do that, implement an onRobotDeath method like so:

public void onRobotDeath(RobotDeathEvent e) {
	// if the bot we were tracking died..
	if (e.getName().equals(enemy.getName())) {
		// clear his info, so we can track another
		enemy.reset();
	}
}

Sample robot: EnemyTracker - a robot that uses the EnemyBot class. Note that even though he rotates the radar, he just tracks one enemy. This allows him to keep an eye on what's going on in the rest of the battlefield while concentrating on his target.

Slightly Smarter Tracking

Another small optimization could be made here: If a closer robot moves into view, we probably want to start shooting him instead. You can accomplish this by modifying your onScannedRobot method like so:

public void onScannedRobot(ScannedRobotEvent e) {

	if (
		// we have no enemy, or..
		enemy.none() ||
		// the one we just spotted is closer, or..
		e.getDistance() < enemy.getDistance() ||
		// we found the one we've been tracking..
		e.getName().equals(enemy.getName())
		) {
		// track him!
		enemy.update(e);
	}
	...

To solve this problem, rather than just saying

	// the one we just spotted is closer, or..
	e.getDistance() < enemy.getDistance() ||

	// the one we just spotted is _significantly_ closer, or..
	e.getDistance() < enemy.getDistance() - 70 ||

Sample robot: EnemyOrCloser uses the above scanning technique to hit the closest enemy. As he rotates his radar, he will begin tracking any enemy that is closer (even if someone sneaks up behind him).

Improved Oscillation

You may be wondering how to wobble the scanner outside of the onScannedRobot method (rather than rotating). Here's how you can do it:

double turn = getHeading() - getRadarHeading() + enemy.getBearing();
turn += 30 * scanDirection;
setTurnRadarRight(turn);
scanDirection *= -1;

Sample robot: ImprovedOscillator - Note how this bot creates a perfect cone around the robot you are tracking. The disadvantage is that ImprovedOscillator can still be blindsided a la NarrowBeam.

Homework: Write the EnemyBot class and use it!

For your Robcode homework today:

1. Write the EnemyBot class, per the instructions on this page, then
2. Have your robot use the EnemyBot class to track enemies better. Alternatively, you could use the EnemyTracker or EnemyOrCloser bots to test your EnemyBot class.