Copyright 2011 Wanda Dann, Steve Cooper, Don Slater Alice Workshop Implementation Algorithm Code World.my first method Control blocks Statements (methods,

Copyright 2011Wanda Dann, Steve Cooper, Don Slater

Alice Workshop

ImplementationAlgorithm CodeWorld.my first method

Control blocks

Statements (methods, data, more)


Next Step

Problem Statement

Understand the

problem

Implement the design

Test the code

Design a solution


Load World

Why start with a standard world for active learning?

Load from: Presentations/Worlds 3-GoodVibrationsSetUp.a2w


Do in order By default, statements in the code are performed in order, but you can also create a Do in order code block.


Control Statements

Alice has two fundamental control statements Do in order

• perform the actions in sequence Do together

• perform the actions simultaneously


First action statement


1. Select object

Start by selecting an object in the object tree (or click on the object in the scene)


2. Select methods tab

In the details panelTabs

Properties values of object properties

Procedures methods that perform an action

Functions methods that return a value


3. Find method tile

Scroll down in methods tab


4. Drag-n-drop

Select data from drop-down menu… “turn to face” needs a target object


Next Step

Problem Statement

Understand the

problem

Implement the design

Test the code

Design a solution


Play (Run)

Click the Play button


World.my first method

When Play button is clicked, the world’s my first method is executed


ModifyAlice allows some optional information to

modify how an action is performed. By default a statement in Alice runs in 1 second. The

duration can be changed using more…


Next action

Actually, several actions


Method?

No “vibrate” tile? Method tiles built-in to Alice are

simple actions Some models have complex

actions defined, e.g., walk For other complex actions, we

may create our own


Decompose

How can we create our own “vibrate” method?

Decompose a complex action into simple actions

garfield.vibrate

do together

play vibrating sound

do in order

garfield move up a short distance, quickly

garfield move down same distance, quickly


Create a new method


Name the method

Name should begin with a lowercase letter and have no spaces (use camelCase, if needed)


garfield.vibrate

New method tile and editor tab


Number pad

Select “other” for number pad entry


Duplicate

Hold Ctrl(Alt on Mac) and drag statement down to create a duplicate


Modify

Click drop-down menu to select a different (argument) value


Test

Warning???


Call the method

Alice must be given an instruction to perform the actions defined in the method.


Test

Does the action performed by garfield appear to be a vibration?

Why or why not?


Revise Design

An object that vibrates is oscillating in a rhythmic repetition

We need to repeat the action several times

garfield.vibrate

do together

play vibrating sound

repeat 5 times

do in order

garfield move up a short distance, quickly

garfield move down same distance, quickly


Loop

Drag in Loop control tile and select “5 times”


Loop control block

Drag code statements into the Loop control block

A block of program code that repeats a counted number of times.


Test

Does the action performed by garfield appear to be a vibration?

Why or why not?


Revise #2

Play a sound at the same time….

garfield.vibrate

do together

play vibration sound

loop 5 times

garfield moves up a short distance, quickly

garfield moves down same distance, quickly


Import sound

World properties panel


Imported file, timing


Do together

Drag in do together code block


Play sound


Nested control blocks

Do in order inside do together


Test

Are sound and vibration in sync?


Wait

Useful for synchronizing sound and action


Save

Be sure to save the world every half-hour, or so…


Textbook

More information Coding

• Chapter 2, Section 2

Documents

Copyright 2011 Wanda Dann, Steve Cooper, Don Slater Alice Workshop Implementation Algorithm Code World.my first method Control blocks Statements (methods,