D1COMPARING PYTHON

AND VISUAL BASIC

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 D1.

TASK SCENARIO

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.

WHAT IS SCRATCH?

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 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.

Script pane: Shows what blocks are in action in the script area

The sprites pane contains a thumbnail view of all sprites.

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 DIFFICULT IS THE USER - INTERFACE TO USE

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”

HOW CAN YOU MAKE GRAPHICS IN SCRATCH

The script of the structure has formed to make a graphic programme in the white box.

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.

HOW CAN YOU MAKE GRAPHICS ON SCRATCH

Paint Editor

Sprite

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 fi rst products to provide a graphical programming environment and a paint metaphor for developing user interfaces.

WHAT IS VISUAL BASIC?

THE INTERFACE OF THE PROGRAMME

Program controls

Files in the project

Current selected form

Selected objects properties

Code box

It can be diffi cult for fi rst time users because of the cluttered interface of not knowing where the creation tools are.

It can be diffi cult 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.

HOW DIFFICULT IS THE USER - INTERFACE TO USE

The interface is more professional looking and suitable for programmers

While as scratch's interface is childish , suitable for young novice programmers

Visual Basic can provide graphics capabilities allowing great flexibility in design, including the addition of animation by displaying a sequence of images on screen.

HOW CAN YOU MAKE GRAPHICS IN VISUAL BASIC

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.

WHAT IS PYTHON?

THE INTERFACE OF THE PROGRAMME

Python shell is where the code runs

Python new window is where the user can write the codes

Runs the code

It can be diffi cult for fi rst time users because of there is two interface ( python shell and new window)

It can be diffi cult 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 DIFFICULT IS THE USER - INTERFACE TO USE

In python ,you can make graphics by using two diff erent methods Tkinter and turtle graphics.

Turtle graphics is a popular way for introducing graphics to students but compared to scratch it can be very diffi cult. 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 pythonCanvas is a high level facility for graphics in Tkinter.Tkinter can be used to create charts , widgets and

games.

HOW CAN YOU MAKE GRAPHICS IN PYTHON