University:
Boston University
Course:
CAS CS 501 | Computer Science Practicum
Academic year:

2022
Views:

230

Pages:

13
Author:

Magdalena Acosta

Final Presentation Ye e ha w ! Introduction to Scratch Scratch is a programming website created by M.I.T. It shows a bunch of sprites (the characters/actors of the program) on a background (the setting of the program). The characters can be moved using the programming blocks. There are plenty of blocks including motion, sound and control blocks. These blocks help the sprites come to life on the background and help create the program/code. Sprites (Characters) Sprites are the main part of the program. They are the characters or actors on the screen. The most basic sprite is an orange and white cat. But there are plenty of others, too. There are the animal, people and cartoon sprites that do all the moving. There are also musical instruments, balls, food, clothes and letter sprites that shouldn’t move. Sprites can be anywhere on the screen and the moving sprites can move to wherever they have to be using motion blocks. If you don’t find the sprite you want, you can draw it on the bottom right corner. There can be multiple sprites on the screen at one time. Backgrounds (Settings) Backgrounds are in the background of the screen. They are the setting of the scene. Backgrounds can be colorful, dull, spooky, fun etc. The sprites are on the background. Unlike sprites, there can only be one background on the screen at one time. There are plenty of backgrounds from beaches to witch houses. When choosing a sprite to go with the background, the sprite should fit in with the background. For example, a butterfly would look better on a background with flowers rather than a background of a baseball stadium. If you don’t find the background you want, you can also draw it on the bottom right corner. Backgrounds help the viewer understand where the scene is taking place. Motion Blocks! These blocks move your sprite! Every motion you’ll need you will find here. (unless it doesn’t exist) Look Blocks! These blocks are where you can make your sprite talk! You can also change their appearance. Sound Blocks! As redundant as this is, these blocks make sound! Like instruments for example. These are already filled in, but you can do that on your own later! Event Blocks! Event blocks can only work at the start of your code, they are the reason the code will go. They indicate the start and when your sprite should listen to your code. Control Blocks! These blocks are where you can find your if then statements and your loops. These may not be the only reason your sprite does things but they are still a large part of the reason. Sensing blocks! ● Senses colors or if its touching an edge or mouse pointer ● ● Ask and wait for an answer Set date, answer, timer and username Operating blocks! ● ● ● ● Blocks that include computing of integers or other variables, absolute value and modules. Random number Booleans Find a value of a list Variable blocks! ● ● Make, set, change, show and hide a variable. Make a list Games Ping Pong Paddle is a game using many of the blocks in the previous slides as well as using different background and sprite functions on Scratch!