book

Adventures in Coding

by Eva Holland, Chris Minnick

March 2016

Beginner

320 pages

6h 1m

English

Wiley

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About the Authors
What Is Scratch?Who Should Read This Book?What You Will LearnHow This Book Is StructuredWhat You Need to Use This BookConventionsCompanion WebsiteContact Us
Coding Is EverywhereSpeaking the Language of MachinesKnowing Your Coding LingoWriting Your First Scratch ProgramLearning the Scratch EnvironmentFurther Adventures in Coding
Setting the StageUnderstanding Coordinates on the StageKnowing Your DirectionsMoving a SpriteCreating Random Scratch ArtFurther Adventures in Coding
Understanding Code NestingBranching Programs in ScratchMaking Comments in ScratchLooping in ScratchBuilding the Fly Catcher GameFurther Adventures in Coding
Learning the Sensing BlocksGetting and Using Text InputDetecting Key PressesWatching for Mouse MovesUsing TimingSensing Touching and DistanceBuilding the Apple Patrol GameFurther Adventures in Coding
Understanding the Role of EventsWorking with Key Press EventsUsing Backdrop Change EventsImplementing Sensing and Timing EventsGetting Your Message AcrossPutting on the Big EventFurther Adventures in Coding
Understanding Variable BlocksMaking ListsThe Ultimate Party HostFurther Adventures in Coding
Saying Hello to the OperatorsDoing the MathCoding LogicallyOperating on TextUnderstanding Other OperationsMake a Math Practice GameFurther Adventures in Coding

Creating Art with the Paint EditorUse the Pen to Make a Skywriting PlaneFurther Adventures in Coding
Making Your Own BlocksBorrowing Blocks with the BackpackPutting on a Fashion ShowFurther Adventures in Coding
Using SoundsThe Sound LibraryUsing the Sound EditorEditing SoundsRecording SoundsImporting SoundsForming the Scratch Jazz BandFurther Adventures in Coding
Visiting scratch.mit.eduSharing Your ProjectsThe Scratch Community RulesRemixing ProjectsInterfacing with the Real WorldSensing with the PicoBoardFurther Adventures in Coding
Installing the Scratch Offline Editor on WindowsInstalling the Scratch Offline Editor to Your Mac Operating SystemOther Resources
Practice Proper PlanningAsk Other People to TestLook for Possible Invalid InputUse Comments OftenTest Early and OftenKeep Track of Tests and What Breaks ThingsUse Custom BlocksUse Sliders for NumbersKeep LearningKeep Practicing

Content preview from Adventures in Coding

Introduction

ARE YOU A fearless adventurer? Do you like to set sail on new ventures and learn new skills? Do you want to learn how to use technology to turn your ideas into reality? Are you curious about computer programming, but aren’t sure where to start? If your answer to these questions is a confident “yes!” then this book is for you!

Like people, computers can be talked to in a variety of languages. Computer programming, or coding, is a way for people to talk to computers. Many computer languages are similar to one another, so once you know one programming language, it’s much easier to learn another one.

Adventures in Coding introduces you to the world of programming, using Scratch.

What Is Scratch?

Scratch is for anyone new to coding. It’s a great place to begin your lifelong adventures in the world of computer programming. Scratch introduces programming concepts in a fun and approachable way. Using simple drag-and-drop features, you can create real computer programs while learning the fundamentals of coding.

Who Should Read This Book?

Adventures in Coding is a great starting point for any young person who is interested in learning how to create games, apps, and art on a computer.

What You Will Learn

Adventures in Coding introduces and guides you through the world of coding using Scratch. You learn the ins and outs of the Scratch universe—from learning about the features of the Project Editor, to connecting with fellow “Scratchers” and sharing projects.