Boolean Logic in Programming Boolean Logic Branching and

Boolean Logic in Programming

Boolean Logic • Branching and looping routines both contain conditions that are either true or false. • In 1854 George Boole outlined a system of logic dealing with true and false values. • Today, this is called Boolean Logic.

Boolean Logic • A form of mathematics in which the only values are true and false. • There are three basic operations: – AND – OR – NOT

Boolean Logic • AND and OR each require two operands • NOT requires one operand • When two values are combined using AND, the result is true if both values are true. • Result of an OR operation is true if either value is true. • Result of a NOT operation is the opposite value

Must be precise How do I specify the following in Boolean logic: “Give me a list of all our offices in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. ”

Comparing Values • Conditions in branching and looping routines are often based on Boolean expressions that compare values. • Example: – “The passenger-side air bag may cause injury to children who are under the age of 12 or who weight less than 48 pounds. ” – IF (age < 12 OR weight < 48) THEN do not sit in the front passenger seat

Comparing Values IF (age < 12 OR weight < 48) THEN do not sit in the front passenger seat – Evaluate age < 12 (yields true/false) – Then weight < 48 (yields true/false) – Combine the two values using OR (yields true/false)

Logical Comparison Operators

Boolean Functions • True and false values in computing can also come from Boolean functions. • A function is a method that returns a value. • You can use methods to determine the distance between two objects, etc. • A Boolean function returns a true/false value instead of a numeric value.

Example: Boolean Function

Built-in Boolean Functions • Is behind is one of many functions built-in to nearly all classes in Alice. • Many Boolean functions exist for our use.

Seaplane Example

Seaplane Boolean Functions

Comparison Functions • Alice also has comparison functions. • These can be found on the world’s function tab. • Using AND, OR, and NOT functions together with the comparison functions, we can build arbitrarily complex Boolean expressions.

Comparison functions + Boolean logic functions in Alice

Examples • If (age < 12 OR height <= 54) • While (alice. Liddel distance to white. Rabbit <= 10) • While NOT (target = windmill) OR NOT (target = gazebo) • If NOT (seaplane is in front of camera) AND ((time < 10) OR (time > 30)) • While number. Of. Guesses <= log(range)