My final project is a robotic claw that moves with a remote and has wheels. Two people control each remote so the robot can both move and pick things up.
Here is a picture of our final robot:
My Favorite Things
What was your favorite thing during EPGY?
My favorite thing during EPGY was the different activities we got to do with friends in both class and activity period.
What does a void function return?
A void function does not return anything.
What does an int function return?
An int function returns an integer.
What is the difference between a function and a datatype (http://processing.org/tutorials/objects/)?
A function tells one instruction to the object. A datatype is a category of different types of data.
What is the difference between a function and a class (http://processing.org/tutorials/objects/)?
A function tells the action or instructions to an object. A class creates objects and holds many functions and data.
What is the difference between a class and a data structure?
A class holds data and functions. A data structure stores many datatypes, or a lot of different data.
What goes inside the curly braces?
A main function goes inside curly braces.
What does the And Gate (&&) do?
For example, if there were two switches and the wires were connected to an And gate wired to a light bulb, the output if one switch was turned on would be nothing. However, if both switches were turned on, the light bulb would light up.
What does the Or Gate (||) do?
For example, if there were two switched and the wires were connected to an Or Gate wired to a light bulb, the output if one switch was turned on would be that the light bulb also turns on. If all switches were on, the light bulb still stays on. But if both switches are off, there would be no light.
What is the best video game you played at camp?
The best video game I played at camp was There is Only One Level. http://armorgames.com/play/4309/this-is-the-only-level
What is your favorite type of game?
My favorite type of games are ones where you can play with your friends.
Here is the link for the EPGY Gallery: https://picasaweb.google.com/110478996885609825075/MSP2013
Game Review #9: Stroy Teller and Logical Gate Simulator
Story Teller is an animation where you move the people around to create a different ending.
Here is the link to play: http://www.ludomancy.com/games/StoryTeller.html.
Logical Gate Simulator is a simulator where you can use different gates to make different outcomes, like making a light bulb turn on and off.
Here is the link to play: http://www.cs.kent.edu/~volkert/F10-10051/notes/logsim.html.
Computer History Museum
Yesterday, my Computer programming class went to the Computer History Museum. We saw the evolution of computers since the very first one. We saw different video games and robots that developed to become very high tech. I learned a lot yesterday and it was really fun, especially with friends.
Project Proposal
Diva, Marion, and I will make a Robot. We will use one robot claw and add wheels. One of us will control the claw brick to make it move. This will be cool because we can pick up different things with our claw while the other half moves around and can pick up some trash or balls around the room. It will be entertaining and challenging at the same time.
Here is a sketch of what we will be doing and how the robot works:
Here is a sketch of the final product:
Robot Arm
What was wrong with the Robot Arm?
The Robot Arm would only go down, not up and the claws won’t open to let the ball drop.
What did you do to fix it?
We changed a couple of controls, mainly the lift and grip controls. We tested it and it opened and went up.
What did the Robot Arm do?
The Robot Arm after it was fixed moved left, right, up, and down. It also can pick up and drop a ball.
What is the difference between when Eclipse uses a yellow line versus using a red line?
A red line in Eclipse means that the red underlined word/phrase is an error. The yellow line means it is a warning, meaning that it might work, but might not.
Which one is an error and which one is a warning?
Red underlined words/phrases are errors and yellow line underlined words/phrases are warnings that it could possibly be an error.
Why do we use code libraries like the leJOS NXJ?
We use code libraries to store the code and help transfer it to a different device.
What is gamification?
Gamification is the usage of game mechanics in non-gaming context to get the user/player to solve different problems.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamification
How mad was Kevin, the mad scientist? Why was he mad?
Kevin was very, very, VERY mad. He was mad because the program would make the claw only go down and the ball cannot be dropped. Also, he had many logical errors in his code and Kevin built this during a freezing snow storm.
This is Kevin the very, very, very, very, VERY Mad Scientist.
Game Review #8: Mario Tetris
Mario Tetris is a game where you have to get Mario to the other side without dying. It is just like Mario on the DS, but it is called Tuper Tario Tros. The graphics are just like Tetris, and the game is very addicting if you keep dying.
Here is the link to play Mario Tetris: http://mariotetris.com/
Building My Robot
My team is Team 4. My team members are Julia (http://jdai578.wordpress.com) and me. My robot is named Hugo. My experience with building my robot was really fun and programming took a while to fix the angle it would turn, but we finally got it. First we built the robot with the Lego pieces. Then we got the code from online. We created a new Java project in Eclipse called Bumper Car. We added the Libraries and converted the Project to Lego Mindstorm NXT. Then we uploaded the code to the robot and the robot would go forward. If it bumped into something, it would go backwards, rotate, and go forward again. We changed the angle degree so it would make a bigger turn. The “eyes” are sonar sensors and if it sensed an object nearby, it would turn.
Here is a picture of my robot.
Game Review #7: Duolingo
Duolingo is not a game, but a place to learn a new language. It is pretty fun because the design makes it look colorful and the format to learn is not very hard. Duolingo is educational, but you have to know the basics of each language you are going to take. After time, it will teach you some of the language. It is a good idea to learn a new language, but some of the very beginner words need to be taught by a teacher or a different program because Duolingo does not go in depth on the very basics.
Here is the link to sign up: http://duolingo.com
Here is the link to my progress: http://www.duolingo.com/#/MyriaC
Java, Eclipse, and When Things Get Rough
What is one way to start a new programming project in Java?
You can open Eclipse or any high level language programming program by clicking File > New > Java Project.
What is an API?
An API is an application programming interface and it tells you how some software parts should connect with one another.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/API
What is a getter and a setter (http://java.dzone.com/articles/getter-setter-use-or-not-use-0)?
A getter and setter is an accessor. An accessor is a type of method that allows you to read and write a value of a variable.
What are the different languages for the Mindstorm NXT (http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2007/11/the-best-progra/)?
The different languages for Mindstorm NXT is everything from Java to Lua, any C programs.
What language will you be using to program your robot?
We will be using Java to program our Mindstorm NXT.
What is a prototype?
A prototype is a sample built to test a concept and see if it works.
Explain to someone how you swap 2 values in Java.
You swap two values in Java by making them equal to each other and another integer.
How does selection sort use 2 for-loops?
In selection sort, one loop is used to swap the values and another is used to search for the smallest value.
How do you print all the values from an array?
You print all values from an array by typing (of course plug in numbers for values): for(int i=0; i< iArray.length; i++){ System.out.println(iArray[i] +”, “); }
http://javarevisited.blogspot.com/2012/12/3-example-to-print-array-values-in-java.html
What is the difference between a thermometer and a thermostat?
A thermometer records the temperature of something. A thermostat is an object that shows the temperature.
Why is plagiarism bad?
Plagiarism is bad because you do not learn anything from copying somebody’s work. Also, you are taking somebody’s work without their permission. Finally, that information might not be correct.
How do you avoid looking like you are stealing someone’s code?
I avoid looking like I am stealing somebody’s code by citing, or giving them credit, to their work. I add a link to the website I got the information from.
What are a few things you can do if you get really confused, lost, or stuck when trying to program?
If I get very stuck, I will ask a teacher for help or I will look it up in my programing book. If I still do not find an answer, I will search up what I need to find online.
Myria's Ideas and Thoughts on Technology 