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CMSC100: Fundamentals of Programming, Course Content
for CRN 20930: Fall, 2024, Professor Joy

Week 2: Monday, September 9, 2024 - Sunday, September 15, 2024

Lesson 3: Your First program: Hello World

• Write your first program in Alice3;
• Be able to create a scene by selecting a template;
• Add a character and other objects to the scene;
• Create and edit code;
• Understand how to add comments and why they are important;
• Be able to debug simple errors.

• Write your first Alice program;
• You will learn to add code;
• Create and modify a scene in the design view;
• Select and add 3D characters to the scene;
• Select, add and modify people;
• Use the arrows to move, rotate, and resize the characters and other objects;
• Move the camera and change the angle;
• Add comments with your name and description of the program;
• Create code to have the character say "Hello World";
• Run the program, test, debug, and save it.

Lesson 4: The Software-Lifecycle

• Learn how to use some tools for planning;
• Designing and managing larger software projects;
• Break the program into small manageable parts.

• Algorithms: Analyze the problem and determine the best way to achieve the goals;
• Pseudocode: Decompose the problem using step wise refinement;
• Storyboards: Create a graphical layout for the design;
• Flowcharts: Analyze the problem using standard symbols to illustrate the sequence of actions;
• Truth tables: Create a table of all possible combinations and the desired outcomes.

Due in Blackboard by Midnight, Wednesday, September 11, 2024

Due in Blackboard by Midnight, Sunday, September 15, 2024

Week 3: Monday, September 16, 2024 - Sunday, September 22, 2024

Lesson 5: Start, Save, Reopen and modify your program

• Learn ways to start a new project;
• Modify, save, save as, and reopen your project;
• Set preferences.

• Instead of selecting a template choose other tabs: starters, my projects, recent, file;
• Use the arrows to move, rotate. and resize the characters and other objects;
• Move the camera and change the angle;
• Edit an existing project;
• Add parameters to commands;
• Set the preferences to see Java style code;

Lesson 6: Understanding the Alice Virtual World

• Understand how objects view the world;
• Learn how to move objects in the Alice virtual world;
• Be able to move, turn and roll the objects that make up your scene;
• Gain a deeper understanding of objects in the Alice virtual world.

• Understand the basic principles of object motion and rotation;
• How Objects see the Virtual World: Video demonstrates move, turn and roll;
• Understand that each object has a sense of direction;
• Be able to add code to move, turn and roll;
• Use a sequence of actions to create a dance routine, or other complex action.

Due in Blackboard by Midnight, Wednesday, September 18, 2024

Due in Blackboard by Midnight, Sunday, September 22, 2024

Week 4: Monday, September 23, 2024 - Sunday, September 29, 2024

Lesson 7: Setting up the Alice Virtual World

• Learn how to change the properties and position of the objects;
• Learn how to change the properties and position of the camera;
• Learn to fine tune your ability to position objects in the Alice virtual world;

• Use the handles to turn, roll, and move objects;
• View the scene from starting view, layout, top, side, or front;
• Use different camera views to position objects;
• Change the ground, opacity; add fog, light from above and below;
• Use one shots to move, turn and roll in design view;
• Be able to assign vehicles to objects.

Lesson 8: Posing Objects in Alice3

• >Pose the 3D characters by positioning subparts such as arms,legs;
• Create poses using both design tools and code;
• Positioned subparts using turn and roll;
• Understand that you cannot move a subpart as that would separate it from its body;
• Position subparts at design time in the scene editor;
• Position subparts during execution using code;
• Understand that each subpart has its own orientation and sense of direction;
• Realize that the sense of direction for subparts may not be the same as its parent object;
• Understand that some poses and action may use several subparts.

• Use tools in design mode to move, turn and resize the 3D actors in the design mode;
• Write code to move, turn and roll the characters;
• Use tools in design mode to turn and roll the subparts such as arms and legs;
• Implement OneShots to turn and roll the subparts such as arms and legs.
;
• Be able to create a pose using several subparts.

Due in Blackboard by Midnight, Wednesday, September 25, 2024

Due in Blackboard by Midnight, Sunday, September 29, 2024

Week 5: Monday, September 30, 2024 - Sunday, October 6, 2024

Lesson 9: Scene Procedures in Alice 3

• Be able to create a Scene Procedure;
• Be able to call a Scene Procedure;
• Use Scene Procedures for Top Down Design;
• Disable a call to a Scene Procedure to facilitate testing and debugging.

Lesson 10: Variables in Alice 3

• Learn about variables and how to use them;
• Declare variables;
• Assign them values.

• Name the different types in Alice;
• Name variables and objects correctly;
• Declare a variable and give it an initial value;
• Use the assign statement to give a variable a new value;
• Select and use functions to ask the user a question and store the result;
• Experiment with the tools available in Alice3;
• Use constants appropriately.

Due in Blackboard by Midnight, Wednesday, October 2, 2024

Due in Blackboard by Midnight, Sunday, October 6, 2024

Week 6: Monday, October 7, 2024 - Sunday, October 13, 2024

Lesson 11: User Input in Alice3

• Learn how to get input from the user;
• Store those values in variables;
• Ask the user for information such as his name and age;
• Use that information later in the program.

• Select and use functions to ask the user a question and store the result;
• Use functions to get information from the user;
• Use stored values in the code;
• Use input from users in the code.

Due in Blackboard by Midnight, Wednesday, October 9, 2024

Due in Blackboard by Midnight, Sunday, October 13, 2024

Week 7: Monday, October 14, 2024 - Sunday, October 20, 2024

Lesson 12: A Little Math

• Learn to do simple math using arithmetic operators;
• Learn to use a counter;
• Learn to find a total.

• Use assign and math to assign a value;
• Create code to do math using just one step;
• Find a total, percent and other values.

Due in Blackboard by Midnight, Sunday, October 20, 2024

Week 8: Monday, October 21, 2024 - Sunday, October 27, 2024

Lesson 13: Boolean Expressions: true or false

• Use Boolean expressions to make comparisons;
• Use the if/else control structure to create different paths or branches in the code;
• Perform tasks such as asking the user a question and tell if the answer is right;
• Gain a deeper understanding of objects in the Alice virtual world.

• Write code to input answers of various types from the user;
• Apply if/else control structures to tell the user if his answer is right or wrong;
• Implement a counter to display the score at the end;
• Use the function getBooleanFromUser to get true or false answers;
• Write code to compare values and take appropriate actions;
• Be able to use AND and OR in Boolean expressions;
• Use the function getHeight to find the taller of two animals.

Due in Blackboard by Midnight, Wednesday, October 23, 2024

Due in Blackboard by Midnight, Sunday, October 27, 2024

Week 9: Monday, October 28, 2024 - Sunday, November 3, 2024

Lesson 14: Creating Animation in Alice3

• Learn use the control structure doInOrder;
• Learn use the control structure doTogether;
• Learn use the control structure count (a loop);
• Learn use the control structure while (a loop);
• Learn how to combine these control structures to create 3D animation;
• Learn how to create and edit markers;
• Use markers in the animation code;
• Use subparts in the animation code.

• Utilize control structures in your code;
• Determine which control structures to use for more natural movements;
• Implement loop control structures count and while to wave, clap, shake the head, and stomp the feet!;
• Use markers to move an object to a set position.;
• Edit object markers: add, delete, re-rename, and change the color;
• Create an animation that uses several subparts, such as walking.;

Due in Blackboard by Midnight, Wednesday, October 30, 2024

Due in Blackboard by Midnight, Sunday, November 3, 2024

Week 10: Monday, November 4, 2024 - Sunday, November 10, 2024

Lesson 15: Class Procedures in Alice3: Reusable Code

• Learn to create class procedures;
• Create procedures for an object to perform actions such as walk or jump;
• Understand the advantages of creating procedures;
• Use the procedure many times and for many objects;
• Decompose a program into functional subprograms;
• Use parameters to give the procedure information;
• Use parameters so that the same procedure can vary in speed, repetions, or distance;
• Use parameters to pass an object, such as a marker, or another object.

• Write code to animate a character, then convert that code to a procedure;
• Utilize parameters for flexibility;
• Decompose a program into subprograms;
• Make sure that myFirstMethod is mostly calls to procedures and functions.

Due in Blackboard by Midnight, Wednesday, November 6, 2024

Due in Blackboard by Midnight, Sunday, November 10, 2024

Week 11: Monday, November 11, 2024 - Sunday, November 17, 2024

Lesson 16: Calculations and Functions

• Know how to use builtin functions such as getHeight to retrieve information about an object;
• Learn to do calculations using functions;
• Learn to use counters using functions;
• Learn to find totals using functions;
• Learn to create functions.

• Build arithmetic expressions using functions;
• Use variables, functions, and assign statements;
• Create code to do calculations using multiple variables and steps;
• Write a function to do calculations;
• Create a function to get distance to move next to something;
• Use a loop to add numbers uses a running total: total=total + number.

Due in Blackboard by Midnight, Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Due in Blackboard by Midnight, Sunday, November 17, 2024

Week 12: Monday, November 18, 2024 - Sunday, November 24, 2024

Lesson 17: Random Numbers

• Learn to use random numbers;
• Understand how random numbers make it possible to create games;
• Understand how random numbers make the movements of the characters more natural.

• Write code to generate random numbers in 2 different ways;
• Use random values in your animation procedures so that characters move more naturally;
• Use loops to create a number guessing game with hints 'too high' and 'too low';

Due in Blackboard by Midnight, Wednesday, November 20, 2024

Due in Blackboard by Midnight, Sunday, November 24, 2024

Week 13: Monday, November 25, 2024 - Sunday, December 1, 2024

Lesson 18: Arrays: Working with lists of objects

• Learn to declare and use arrays (lists);
• Understand how arrays can act on groups of objects together;
• Learn to create array of different types, including objects;
• Use the control structures that operate on arrays;
• Define parallel arrays and name ways to use them;
• Be able to use arrays of segments.

• Declare a variable to be an array;
• Create code to assign initial values to an array;
• Use subscripts or index to access the elements of the array;
• Utilize loop control structures to process all of the elements of the array;
• Create and process arrays of different data types, including arrays of objects;
• Understand the purpose of parallel arrays and ways to use them;
• Experiment with arrays of segments.

Due in Blackboard by Midnight, Wednesday, November 27, 2024

Due in Blackboard by Midnight, Sunday, December 1, 2024

Week 14: Monday, December 2, 2024 - Sunday, December 8, 2024

Lesson 19: Advanced Techniques: The finishing touches

• Be able to create more interesting movies;
• Use vehicles;
• Download and use sound in your movie;
• Use billboards to display pictures;
• Add camera position to scene changes;
• Change the ground and visibility of objects;
• Use panels and text;
• Use asSeenBy to change the scene view;
• Add transitions to scene changes;
• Export and import procedures and functions;
• Add properties to a class

• Implement markers to move to specific locations.;
• Utilize vehicles to move two objects together;
• Add sound to an Alice project.;
• Create billboards and camera positions to change scenes;
• Use text objects to create headlines;
• Write code that uses the argument asSeenBy to show movement through the eyes of another object;
• Create scene procedures and change the ground and visibility of objects;
• Adding transitions to scene changes;
• Use camera markers to switch from scene on the left and one on the right;
• Add properties to a class.

Due in Blackboard by Midnight, Wednesday, December 4, 2024

Due in Blackboard by Midnight, Sunday, December 8, 2024

Week 15: Monday, December 9, 2024 - Sunday, December 15, 2024

Lesson 20: Events: Responding to the Mouse and Keyboard

• Learn to make your program more interactive using events;
• Understand that an event is something that happens;
• Add a listener to code what happens when an event occurs;
• Allow the user to control the action using the keyboard and the mouse;
• Detect collisions and write the code for what to do when a collision occurs;
• Use a timer;
• Create background sounds;
• Create background animation.

• Create code to implement event listeners for various events;
• Write code to determine which key on the keyboard was pressed;
• Write code to determine which object was clicked;
• Use control structures to specify which actions to take when an event occurs;
• Use addSceneActivationListener to create a continuous action while other actions take place;
• Play background music using initializeEventListeners;
• Write code the uses default model manipulation in event listeners to let the user drag and drop objects at run time;
• Use collision detection to make something happen when objects collide;
• Write code for the keypress event; for example typing a letter to make a selection;
• Add object mover for an object so that the user can move it with the arrow keys;
• Use the timer event to make an action occur at random intervals.

Due in Blackboard by Midnight, Wednesday, December 11, 2024

Due in Blackboard by Midnight, Sunday, December 15, 2024

Week 16: Monday, December 16, 2024 - Sunday, December 22, 2024

Lesson 21: Final Projects

• Add the final touches
• create an MP4 movie
• Present the movie in discussions
• Submit the a3p file in assignments

Due in Blackboard by Midnight, Sunday, December 22, 2024