alice
text, font, extrusion, curvature
3D text object has four unique properties
control statements
Do together; Do in order; etc.
pivot point
a "joint" where an object will rotate
method
a coordinated sequence of instructions that will be carried out when requested
storyboard
a design approach to create a solution to a problem or plan a list of actions to perform a task, as specified in the scenario
yaw
a left-right turning motion
sequential processing
a list of instructions
pseudocode
a loose version of the instructions that will eventually become program code
class-level method
a method that defines behaviors for a single object
primitive method
a method that is already built into Alice
world-level method
a method that specifically references more than one object
whole number
a number with no fractional part
class
a particular kind of object
parameter
a placeholder so that you can use a method over and over with different values and not have to make another method
scenario
a problem or task statement that describes the overall animation in terms of what problem is to be solved or what lesson is to be taught
method
a segment of program code that defines how to perform a specific task
program
a set of instructions that tells the computer what to do
state
a snapshot of a scene
functions tab
a tab in the details area with all of the functions of an object
invoking a method
allowing the method to execute; also known as called into action
instruction
an action to be performed
instance
an example
variable assignment
an instruction that sets a variable to a value
arguments
an item of information that must be supplied so Alice can execute the action
implementation strategy diagram
an organizational chart that visually illustrates how methods will be used for creating a program
no. functions return a value, a function call must be placed in an instruction that does something with the value that is returned
are functions called the same way as methods?
local variable
belongs to a specific method. can be used only by the instuctions in the method that the variable belongs to. when a method stops executing, this ceases to exist in memory.
stepwise refinement
breaking the overall task down into abstract tasks and then breaking each task down into smaller pieces and then defining the steps in each piece
object
can hold an object
number
can hold any number
boolean
can hold either true or false
boolean logic, math, random, string, ask user, mouse, time, advanced math, other
categories for world functions
documentation
comments in the program, a web page for reference, or an accompanying writen document
inheritance
creating a new class based on a previously defined class
design a storyboard
decide how to go about creating the animation
variable declaration
describes a statement that creates a variable
function returns a value back to the instruction that called it, and a method does not
difference between function and method?
read a scenario
examining a description of the story, game, or simulation--often called the problem statement
proximity, size, spatial relation, point of view, other
functions are grouped into what categories?
proximity
functions return values indicating the object's proximtity to other objects
built-in functions
functions that are included with the object
scroll to end of local gallery and click 3D text
how do you create 3D text in alice?
create an instruction that calls it
how do you execute a function?
a joined with b function
how do you join two strings?
select world object's tile in object tree and select function
how do you see the world object's functions?
implementation
how the animation is written
condition
i.e. "Is the spaceship visible?" or "Is the color of the hat red?"
trial-and-error
inputting different values until it works
class-level variable
like a property that belongs to a specific object
world-level variables
like a property that belongs to the world
value
number; Boolean; string; object
nesting
one program statement is written inside another
math expression
performs a calculation and returns a value
looping
repeating behavior; also known as iteration
other
return miscellaneous values
spatial relation
return values indicating the object's position relative to other object's
point of view
return values pertaining to the object's point of view
size
return values pertaining to the size of the object
test
run the animation
string
sequence of characters. used to represent things like names, addresses, warning messages, and so forth
comments
something that helps a human reader understand what a program does
placeholder
something that takes the place of something else and allows anything to be put there
string concatenation
sometimes it is necessary to join two strings into one string. this is called..
function
special type of method. set of instructions that cause some action to take place
syntax
statement structure and punctuation
algorithmic
step-by-step
variable
storage location that is represented by a name
set instructions
store different values in a variable. "sets" a variable to a new value
other
string, color, sound
description
tells what action is occurring
egocentric
the direction an object moves is relative to its own orientation
count
the number of times the loop will execute
variable area
the section of the method editor that contains the variable tile
initial value
the value that is initially stored in the variable when it is created
operands
the values on the right and left of the math symbol.
perspective
the way you are looking at something, so that something looks closer than something else
abstraction
thinking about an overall task instead of all the small actions that were needed to complete the task
save out
to create a new class with new methods that you have added to the original class
debug
to remove bugs from a program
rotational
turn and roll mthods; turning
displays a dialog box where the user can enter a string
what does the ask user for a string function do?
pass the variable as a what argument and the function returns a string containing its value
what does what as a string do?
select set value and specifiy the value you want to store in the variable
what happens when you drag the variable tile and drop it into the method editor?
collision
when an object "collides" with another object
instantiating
when an object is created and displayed
collision
when two graphical objects come into contact with each other
variable's name, type, and initial value
when you hit the create new variable button, what three things must you specify?
runtime
while the animation is running
ask user for a number, ask user for yes or no, ask user for a string
world object's three primitive functions
implement
write the program code
repetition control construct
a loop
bug
an error in a computer program
conditional execution
ifs
pitching
tipping
Boolean
true or false
by default
unless you tell Alice otherwise
expression
used to compare two objects to see if the condition is true
parameter variable
used to hold an argument that is passed to a method when the method is called
math operators
what are a programmer's tools for performing calculations?