[Edu-sig] Scratch interface for Python, and network programming games.

[John Zelle]

This is a very interesting assignment, but I would just point out that this is 
hardly an "intro CS course." They are doing these particular projects in an 
intermediate/advanced data structures/algorithms class. That would be a 3rd 
semester college-level course for those who entered without a programming 
background. At least that is where the link goes, and that seems appropriate 
for the assignment. 

Just building this as a Python API, rather than a separate interpreter might 
make for an interesting (and somewhat simpler project). The "critters" could 
then easily be programmed right in Python, which is something that even 
beginning programmers could do.

--John


On Monday 27 August 2007 9:08 am, Clare Richardson wrote:
> There's an intro CS course at UT Austin that has an assignment where
> students create "critters" that can eat each other, etc, and the
> students in the class have a big tournament to see whose critter is the
> last man standing.  This is often the favorite assignment of the
> semester, and many students from past years even come back for the
> tournament!
>
> The assignment comes in two parts:
> 1) Write an interpreter for the "Critter language"
> 2) Define your own Critter in the Critter language
>
> The class assignment is in Java, but could easily be turned into Python.
>
> The project description and code are on this page:
> http://www.cs.utexas.edu/users/jdiamond/cs315h/index.html#Proj3
>
> Clare Richardson
> Technology and Program Coordinator
> Girlstart
> www.girlstart.org
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: edu-sig-bounces at python.org [mailto:edu-sig-bounces at python.org] On
> Behalf Of Winston Wolff
> Sent: Wednesday, August 22, 2007 4:35 PM
> To: Dethe Elza
> Cc: edu-sig at python.org
> Subject: [Edu-sig] Scratch interface for Python,and network programming
> games.
>
> Hi Dethe-
>
> I have been thinking of exactly the same thing--a Scratch type
> environment for Python.  And I've also purchased a Nintendo DS
> development kit, hoping to make a Python to Nintendo DS development
> system.  Haven't had time to work on it though with my summer
> classes.  I should have more time in the fall, perhaps we can
> collaborate?
>
> My biggest interest on the Scratch/Python angle right now is to
> develop some team programming games.  I.e. you write a program using
> Python raw or Python via a Scratch interface for beginners, and then
> you throw your program into the ring via the network and have it
> compete against other students.
>
>
>
> Winston Wolff
> winstonw at stratolab.com
> (646) 827-2242
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> --
> Stratolab - video game courses for kids in new york - http://
> stratolab.com
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-- 
John M. Zelle, Ph.D.             Wartburg College
Professor of Computer Science    Waverly, IA     
john.zelle at wartburg.edu          (319) 352-8360