book

Strange Code

by Ronald T. Kneusel

September 2022

Intermediate to advanced

496 pages

12h 32m

English

No Starch Press

Read now

Unlock full access

Programming Language PaleontologyThe First Programming LanguagesALGOLAPLBASICPL/ILogoSimulaPascalPrologSmalltalkStandard MLSummary
Defining Programming LanguageSyntax and SemanticsImplementing Programming LanguagesData TypesData StructuresVariables and ScopeControlling Program FlowProgramming ParadigmsSummary
The Halting ProblemTuring MachinesUniversal Turing MachineTuring CompletenessLet’s Build a Turing MachineSummary
InstallationOrigins and PhilosophyThe LanguageSquare Root ReduxDiscussionSummary
InstallationOrigins and PhilosophyThe LanguageMachine Learning with SNOBOLDiscussionSummary
InstallationOrigins and PhilosophyThe LanguageCLIPS in ActionDiscussionSummary
ABCABC2ABC2 in ActionDiscussionSummary
The FRACTRAN SpecificationA Tale of Two ImplementationsUsing FRACTRANUnderstanding FRACTRANMore FRACTRAN ExamplesDiscussionSummary
InstallationUnderstanding PietPiet in ActionA Tribute to Piet MondrianThe Piet UniverseDiscussionSummary
WTF Is BF?The Two ImplementationsBF in ActionThe BF MultiverseDiscussionSummary
Befunge-93 World TourBefunge in ActionDiscussionSummary
Philosophy and DesignImplementating FilskaSummary
Hello, World!Fibonacci, Anyone?Random NumbersA Simple FractalGetting to the Roots of the ProblemLinear Least-Squares Fit to a LineDiscussionSummary
Philosophy and DesignImplementationConfiguring the Micro:bitSummary
The ProcessFly TimeSpace TrekBeethoven in LightsDance DanceTea TimeDiscussionSummary
The Runners-UpProgramming Language ResourcesPostlude
Introduction to Genetic ProgrammingHow Genetic Programming WorksDefining DisplaysA Tiny Firefly InterpreterThe Genetic AlgorithmPutting It All TogetherEvolving Firefly ProgramsDiscussionFinal Thoughts

Content preview from Strange Code

14FIREFLY

Firefly is a minimalist programming language for animation and sound. Firefly targets the BBC micro:bit, but you don’t need one to have fun with the language—the console version will work just fine. The inspiration for the language comes from the 5×5 grid of LEDs that form the display of the micro:bit. The language manipulates a “firefly” that lives on the grid. As it flies, it leaves a luminous trail of light behind it. Oh, the firefly also sings, because why not?

This chapter introduces the philosophy and design of the language, followed by its implementation. The chapter ends with a section on configuring a micro:bit, should you wish ...