COMPARING PYTHON AND VISUAL BASIC D 1 TASK

COMPARING PYTHON AND VISUAL BASIC D 1

TASK SCENARIO Evaluate the suitability of procedural programs for graphical applications. Compare how you can create graphics in Visual Basic, Python and Scratch. Evidence should be a short report, or similarly detailed presentation. This task fully covers D 1.

SCRATCH

WHAT IS SCRATCH? Scratch is a free educational programming language, which was created by lifelong kindergarten group. It is designed to be fun and educational and easy to learn programming in a school environment. Scratch encourages children to make interactive stories, games , art simulations and other projects.

THE INTERFACE OF THE PROGRAMME Stage: The Stage is a "sprite" that represents the background of its project The toolbar at the top of the program contains many very important functions in Scratch Script pane: Shows what blocks are in action in the script area Script area: Blocks from the Block Palette are dragged into the Scripts Area. These then can be combined with other blocks to form scripts, and eventually a project. Sound pane: contains a list of audio clips. The sprites pane contains a thumbnail view of all sprites.

HOW DIFFICULT IS THE USER - INTERFACE TO USE The scratch program was designed for children who had no previous programming experience and had to make its language and development easier to follow.

HOW CAN YOU MAKE GRAPHICS IN SCRATCH The user in scratch by dragging blocks from the block palette and attach them to the other blocks to form a jigsaw puzzle. This the structure of the multiple blocks are called scripts The method of programming ( building codes with blocks) is referred to as “ drag - and - drop programming” The script of the structure has formed to make a graphic programme in the white box.

HOW CAN YOU MAKE GRAPHICS ON SCRATCH In scratch you do not have to create the character sprite instead use the blocks in the script area to make the function of the character moving. Most of the graphics are already made in the program, the user can choose what sprite they want to add to the stage or background image. You can create a new sprite or customise the original sprites that was built in the program. Paint Editor Sprite

VISUAL BASIC

WHAT IS VISUAL BASIC? It is a computer programming system developed and owned by Microsoft. It was originally created to make it easier to write programs for windows computer operating system. Visual basic was one of the first products to provide a graphical programming environment and a paint metaphor for developing user interfaces.

THE INTERFACE OF THE PROGRAMME Program controls Files in the project Current selected form Selected objects properties Code box

HOW DIFFICULT IS THE USER - INTERFACE TO USE It can be difficult for first time users because of the cluttered interface of not knowing where the creation tools are. It can be difficult for children because you need to be trained to know the visual basic codes in the code box. It may be off – putting for some users because it may seem bland to use the interface , while as scratch the interface is colourful , childish and more entertaining. The interface is more professional looking and suitable for programmers While as scratch's interface is childish , suitable for young novice programmers

HOW CAN YOU MAKE GRAPHICS IN VISUAL BASIC Visual Basic can provide graphics capabilities allowing great flexibility in design, including the addition of animation by displaying a sequence of images on screen.

PYTHON

WHAT IS PYTHON? Python is a programming language. It is used in some high schools and colleges as an introductory programming because it is easy to learn. There are many modules in Python that provide very powerful features that we can use in programs. Some of these can send email or fetch web pages or others allow us to perform complex mathematical calculations in the python programme.

THE INTERFACE OF THE PROGRAMME Python shell is where the code runs Runs the code Python new window is where the user can write the codes

HOW DIFFICULT IS THE USER - INTERFACE TO USE It can be difficult for first time users because of there is two interface ( python shell and new window) It can be difficult for children because you need to be trained to know the codes to get the python program to function. It may be off – putting for some users because it may seem to basic because there is no visuals or features on the interface , while as scratch the interface is colourful , childish and more entertaining.

HOW CAN YOU MAKE GRAPHICS IN PYTHON In python , you can make graphics by using two different methods Tkinter and turtle graphics. Turtle graphics is a popular way for introducing graphics to students but compared to scratch it can be very difficult. In turtle graphics you have to make the graphics with codes. While as scratch the graphics are already made. In turtle graphics you need to type instructions to make the graphics. But when you have finished, the turtle will make the graphics from the instructions in the graphic box.

HOW CAN YOU MAKE GRAPHICS IN PYTHON Tkinter is done in a canvas widget In python Canvas is a high level facility for graphics in Tkinter can be used to create charts , widgets and games.