Programming in Scratch | PDF | Control Flow | Computer Science
Scribd
Upload
125 views19 pages

Programming in Scratch

This document provides an overview of an introductory computer science course at Harvard University. The course will introduce students to fundamental concepts of computer science including algorithms, programming, and data structures through assignments, tests, and lectures. Students will begin by learning the visual programming language Scratch to explore core programming concepts before transitioning to Java. The course is rigorous and expects significant weekly work from students.

Uploaded by

Vjera B.A.
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
Download as pdf or txt
125 views19 pages

Programming in Scratch

This document provides an overview of an introductory computer science course at Harvard University. The course will introduce students to fundamental concepts of computer science including algorithms, programming, and data structures through assignments, tests, and lectures. Students will begin by learning the visual programming language Scratch to explore core programming concepts before transitioning to Java. The course is rigorous and expects significant weekly work from students.

Uploaded by

Vjera B.A.
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
Download as pdf or txt
Download as pdf or txt
You are on page 1/ 19

Unit 1, Part 1

Intensive Introduction to
Computer Science

Course Overview
Programming in Scratch

Computer Science S-111


Harvard University
David G. Sullivan, Ph.D.

Welcome to CS S-111!
Computer science is not so much the science of computers
as it is the science of solving problems using computers.
Eric Roberts

• This course covers:


• the process of developing algorithms to solve problems
• the process of developing computer programs to express
those algorithms
• fundamental data structures for imposing order on a
collection of information
• the process of comparing data structures & algorithms
for a given problem
Computer Science and Programming
• There are many different fields within CS, including:
• software systems
• computer architecture
• networking
• programming languages, compilers, etc.
• theory
• AI

• Experts in many of these fields don’t do much programming!

• However, learning to program will help you to develop


ways of thinking and solving problems used in all fields of CS.

A Rigorous Introduction
• Intended for:
• future concentrators who plan to take more
advanced courses
• others who want a rigorous introduction
• no programming background required,
but can also benefit people with prior background

• Allow for 20-30 hours of work per week


• start work early!
• come for help!
• don't fall behind!
Requirements
• Lectures and sections

• Ten problem sets (50%)


• part I = "written" problems
• part II = "programming" problems
• grad-credit students will have extra work on most assts.

• Nine unit tests (25%)


• given at the end of lecture (see the schedule)
• 25 possible pts. for each
• if score lower than 18, can take a retest for a max. of 18

• Final exam (25%):


• Friday, August 10, 8:30-11:30 a.m.

Textbooks
• Required: The CSCI S-111 Coursepack
• contains all of the lecture notes
• will be available at Gnomon Copy on Mass Ave.

• Optional resource for the first half:


Building Java Programs by Stuart Reges and Marty Stepp
(Addison Wesley).

• Optional resource for the second half:


Data Structures & Algorithms in Java, 2nd edition
by Robert Lafore (SAMS Publishing).
Other Course Staff
• Teaching Assistants (TAs):
Cody Doucette (head TA)
Caitlin Fournier
Libby James
Kylie Moses

• See the course website for contact info.

• Piazza is your best bet for questions.

• For purely administrative questions: libs111@fas.harvard.edu


• will forward your email to the full course staff

Other Details of the Syllabus


• Schedule:
• note the due dates and test dates
• no lectures or sections on most Wednesdays
• exceptions: July 11 (July 13 is off),
August 8 (August 9 is off)

• Policies:
• 10% penalty for submissions that are one day late
• please don't request an extension unless it's an emergency!
• grading

• Please read the syllabus carefully and make sure that you
understand the policies and follow them carefully.

• Let us know if you have any questions.


Algorithms
• In order to solve a problem using a computer,
you need to come up with one or more algorithms.

• An algorithm is a step-by-step description of how to


accomplish a task.

• An algorithm must be:


• precise: specified in a clear and unambiguous way
• effective: capable of being carried out

Example of Defining an Algorithm


Programming
• Programming involves expressing an algorithm in a form that
a computer can interpret.

• We will primarily be using the Java programming language.


• one of many possible languages

• The key concepts of the course transcend this language.

What Does a Program Look Like?


• Here's a Java program that displays a simple message:

public class HelloWorld {


public static void main(String[] args) {
System.out.println("hello, world");
}
}

• Like all programming languages, Java has a precise set of rules


that you must follow.
• the syntax of the language

• To quickly introduce you to a number of key concepts,


we will begin with a simpler language.
Scratch
• A simple graphical programming language
• developed at the MIT Media Lab
• easy enough for middle school kids
• makes it easy to create animations, games, etc.

• Download version 1.4 for free here:


http://scratch.mit.edu/scratch_1.4/
• this is not the latest version, but it's the one we will use

Scratch Basics
• Scratch programs (scripts) control characters called sprites.

• Sprites perform actions and interact with each other on the stage.

the stage

building
blocks
for
programs/
scripts

drag building blocks here to create scripts


Sprites
• At the start, there is a single cat sprite on the stage.
• You can add and remove sprites, and change their costumes.

new sprite
buttons

list of sprites
on the stage

• Clicking on a sprite from the list below the stage


shows you the scripts for that sprite (if any).

Program Building Blocks


• Grouped into eight color-coded categories

• The shape of a building block indicates where it can go.


• Right-click a building block to get help on that type of block.
Program Building Blocks: Statements
• Statement = a command or action

• Statements have bumps and/or notches


that allow you to stack them.
• each stack is a single script

• A statement may have:


• an input area that takes
a value (Hello!, 10, 15, etc.)
• a pull-down menu with choices (meow)

Program Building Blocks: Statements (cont.)


• Clicking on any statement in a script executes the script.

• When rearranging blocks, dragging a statement drags it


and any other statements below it in the stack.
• example: dragging the wait command below
Flow of Control
• Flow of control = the order in which statements are executed

• By default, statements in a script are executed sequentially


from top to bottom when the script is clicked.

• Control blocks (gold in color) allow you to affect the


flow of control.
• simple example: the wait statement above pauses
the flow of control

Flow of Control: Repetition


• Many control statements are C-shaped, which allows them
to control other statements.

• Example: statements that repeat other statements.

• Drag statements inside the opening to create a repeating stack.

forms

• In programming, a group of statements that repeats


is known as a loop.
Flow of Control: Responding to an Event
• Hat blocks (ones with rounded tops) can be put on top of a script.

• They wait for an event to happen.


• when it does, the script is executed

What Does a Program Look Like?


• Recall our earlier Java program:

public class HelloWorld {


public static void main(String[] args) {
System.out.println("hello, world");
}
}

• Here's the Scratch version … and here's the result:


Stage Coordinates
• Dimensions: 480 units wide by 360 units tall

• Center has coordinates of 0, 0

What Does This Program Draw?


What Changes Are Needed
to Draw Each of These?

Flow of Control: Repeating a Repetition!

• One loop inside another loop!


• known as a nested loop

• How many times is the move statement executed above?


Making Our Program Easier to Change

• It would be nice to avoid having to manually change


all of the numbers.

• Take advantage of relationships between the numbers.


• what are they?

Program Building Blocks: Variables


• A variable is a named location in the computer's memory
that is used to store a value.

• Can picture it as a named box:

• To create a variable:
Using Variables in Your Program

note: you must drag a variable into place, not type its name

Program Building Blocks: Operators


• Operators create a new value from existing values/variables.
Our Program with Variables and Operators

Getting User Input


• Use the ask command from the sensing category.

• The value entered by the user is stored in the special variable


answer, which is also located in the sensing category.

• Allowing the user to enter


numSides and numCopies:
Program Building Blocks: Boolean Expressions
• Blocks with pointed edges produce boolean values:
• true or false

• Boolean operators:

• There are also boolean expressions in the sensing palette:

Flow of Control: Conditional Execution


• conditional execution = deciding whether to execute
one or more statements on the basis of some condition

• There are C-shaped control blocks for this:

• They have an input area with pointed edges for the condition.
Flow of Control: Conditional Execution (cont.)

• If the condition is true:


• the statements under the if are executed
• the statements under the else are not executed

• If the condition is false:


• the statements under the if are not executed
• the statements under the else are executed

Dealing With Invalid User Inputs


More Info on Scratch
• Documentation is available online:
• getting started guide for version 1.4:
http://download.scratch.mit.edu/ScratchGettingStartedv14.pdf
• reference guide for version 1.4:
http://download.scratch.mit.edu/ScratchReferenceGuide14.pdf

• Creating a Scratch account is not required for this course.

You might also like