The Projects
About the Author
Hello world
I am one of many (17).
I am a computer programmer.
I am...


ROBBIE FRANKLIN:
[Destroyer of Worlds]
Entry: Day One
DATE: JUNE 15, 2009
Mood:

%%%%%
}[ O O]{
|  <     |
\   U   /

Now those of you out there who think you'll find a guide on the road of programming are in the wrong place.
Same thing goes for all of you fools who expect a journal in the traditional sense, being very simple and expressive.
This is not some collection of bottled up feelings or sob stories about dropping my Twinky *cry*. No, this
is a tale, nay, an epic story of my quest to become a better programmer. This is... Programming For Video Games.
Anyway, today was our first day of class in PFVG. We started with an icebreaker to get to know each other
(my classmates are Tucker, Thomas, Sarah, Peter, Tim, Ricky, Adam, Evan, Aaron, David, Christie, why are you trying to read this, your going to hurt your eyes. No really you will.). Now by
the time you've read this far, I'm sure you've noticed that all the k's are a little bigger that the rest of the text. If you haven't
noticed by now, go back and read again (yes that will be on the test). Now it seems like a good time to actually add the
things we did in PFVG today. Actually, before that, let's go ahead and justify to the left.
*click*

aaaahhh... Isn't that better? Now, after we had our icebreaker, we logged on to the computers (from now on referred to as cps) and loaded up Linux. We will be using Linux throughout the three weeks here at Duke. We started off by learning as many things as we could about topics such as a kernel, applications, and the operating system. A few such things included:
d1. the operating system is the host for apps
2. memory protection limits a process' use of memory
3. interrupts are used to create the illusion of multitasking
4. networking includes common things such as filesharing
5. kernal is another name for the core or center
after we learned such things... oops! Sorry... *click* back to regular size. Anyway, after learning such things, we made some ASCII art using the Python programming system. My art looks like this: (will be added later) Finally, we made a game called Wackadot. It is a bit silly, but it was a good game to start our class with. Here is what we did:
To make the wackadot game i would draw the dot for the cursor followed by the other dots. Then, the other dots would be drawn.

Wackadot Steps:

Step 1:
    -The window for the game is set up and ready to display things

Step 2:
    -The system displays a red dot in the top right (pixel 0,0)

Step 3:
    -We make the cursor invisible while the dot takes it's position, making it seem like the dot is the cursor

Step 3.1:
I think I can make the cursor a dot by:

    1. using get mouse pos() to find the position of the mouse
    2. using set_visible (False) to get rid of it
    3. and finally, drawing the circle to that spot

Step 4:
    -The other color for the game (blue) is set as color 2
    -the other two dots are added to the draw group so that they can be drawn

Step 5:
    -This step added collision handling

Step 6:
    -This step gave the system the ability to change the color of the cursor after touching the ball

Step 7:
    -This final step added the final touches to changing color as well as setting up all remaining variables.

Additionally to finishing step 7, I added levels. That appears, unfortunately to be all the time I have for the journal today. Check back again tomorrow to see what happens tomorrow in...
THE KHUL ZONE

DOO DOO DOO DOO, DOO DOO DOO DOO...


pokemon
pokemon
pokemon
Entry: Dpokemonay Two
DATE: JUN
pokemonE 16, 2009
Moo
pokemond:
%%%
pokemon%%
}[ O
pokemonO]{
|  < 
pokemon   |
\   U
pokemon   /
pokemon
In class today, we continued to learn in the way of the pokemoncomputer program. Our class started off by reading some of the chapters in our textbook, which was interesting considering I readpokemon those chapters and more last night before I went to bed. After reading and learning some more, we worked on a few programs to pokemonsharpen our skills. Rather than bothering with eight or nine programs, I made one program and gave it a menu. You can find thpokemone linK to the program in the projects section. In chapter 1.1-1.3, John Zelle discusses the basis of computer science as well as comppokemonuter programming. He writes that the computer to a computer scientist is like a telescope to an astronomer. Additionally, he exppokemonlained a few programming terms such as  algorithm, computer theory, and the real question behind programming: What Can Be pokemonComputed? (also on the test) Also the difference between hardware and software was defined. Thank you for yet again visiting:pokemon
pokemonTHE KHUL ZONE
pokemon
pokemonDOO DOO DOO DOO, DOO DOO DOO DOO...
pokemon
Entry: Dapokemony Three
DATE: JUN
pokemonE 17, 2009
Moo
pokemond:
%%%
pokemon%%
}[ X
pokemon X]{
|  <
pokemon     |
\   /
pokemon\   /
pokemon
pokemonToday in class, we started off by defining a few terms from our previous chapters, then rereading them. Here is how I defined pokemonthem:
pokemon
Variables- this is any name given to a number, a set of npokemonumbers, or a phrase to be used by the program later on.
Loops- this is iteration, the repetition of a chunk of code, often u
pokemonsing for [[0] to defined variable], for in range [defined variable], or for in pokemon"string".
Numbers- numbers are literals such as 5, 3, 0.3, and 1248.94
pokemon8. These are used in mathematic expressions, equations, etc.
Casting (type conversions)- this is the process
pokemon of truncating some numbers, floats, fixes, etc.
pokemon
After we finished definpokemoning those terms, we went on to build programs based on the reading from chapter four. The result can be found in the Projects sepokemonction. This was very frustrating, because they all had to do with string modification, and that is perhaps my least favorite part of programming (those stupid strings have a way of really messing up a program, but you can't live without 'em)
Once again, thank you for visiting:pokemon
THE KHUpokemonL ZONE
pokemon
DOO DOO DOO DOO, pokemonDOO DOO DOO DOO...
pokemon
Entry: Dpokemonay Four
DATE: JUN
pokemonE 18, 2009
Moo
pokemond:
%%%
pokemon%%
}[ -- -
pokemon-]{
|  < 
pokemon   |
\   U
pokemon   /
pokemon
pokemon
Today in class, we discussed the most important features of a good game. Some of the most important thpokemonings included:
  1. Content- the game needs to have a lot of things to do in it.
  2. Audio- the game's soundtrack needs to reflect the style of the game. (if applicpokemonable)
  3. Visuals- the game needs to be aesthetically pleasing.
  4. Challenge- the game needs different levels for different levels of playing ability (if pokemonapplicable)
  5. Balance- all choices need to result in a balanced game through the rock paper scissors. (pokemonif applicable)
  6. NOT A MOVIE GAME (The most important!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!pokemon!!!!!!!!!!)
After having this discussion, we watched some videos that showed us some of the most important thingspokemon in little games we played (like pong) (No more K's after this will be larger, simply capitalized). Now for some random ASCII art:pokemon
*
lllpokemon
llllllll
lllllll
lllllllllllllll
lllllllllll
lllllllllllllllllllll
llllllllllllll
llllllllllllllllllllllllll
DDD
DDD
DDDDDD
Now if your not sure what it was (Thomas), it is a Christmas twee (not tree). After the videos, we made some programs for practice. Check in next time in:
THE KHUpokemonL ZONE
pokemon
DOO DOO DOO DOO, pokemonDOO DOO DOO DOO...
Entry: Dpokemonay Five
DATE: JUNpokemonE 19, 2009
Moopokemond:
%%%pokemon%%
}[O  O]{
|  <  pokemon   |
\   Upokemon   /

I'm feeling like justifying everything to the center today, so I will. Today in class we read chapters 8 and 10. They were about defining classes, loop structures, and Booleans. After reading the chapters we did some programming exercises which can be found in the Projects section. One of the exercises involved playing cards to be generated as a class. We learned about pygame as well today. everyone wrote five facts. My five were as follows:
  1. Pygame is a set of python modules made for game developement.
  2. It allows for ASCII art backends
  3. It is written in C code as well as assembly, making it ~50x faster than regular python code.
  4. It can be used on the one laptop per child computer
  5. it is modular allowing for different modules to be used even when they aren't from Pygame
  6. BONUS: it takes the "Pure" out of "Game Developement"
That was about it for today. Thank you once again for visiting:

THE KHUpokemonL ZONE
pokemon
DOO DOO DOO DOO, pokemonDOO DOO DOO DOO...



Entry: Dpokemonay Six
DATE: JUNpokemonE 19, 2009
Moopokemond:
%%%pokemon%%
}[O  O]{
|  <  pokemon   |
\   Upokemon   /

Today in PFVG we learned about stuff... lots of stuff... about programming... in class... with Dr. Kuhl... and Justine... and myself... in Python... the end.

...are you still there?















You should go ahead and leave.

















No really... There's nothing left on this page.


















Oh, so you're a persistent one... all right then. What do you want? More information? OK then.
Today, we learned about some graphical commands in pygame as well as a lot of cool functions to import from pygame. The bulK of today was programming. We made lots of programs today, which is why the mood  is better than average. Perhaps there will be more to talK about tomorrow, but until then... ThanK you for visiting:
THE KHUpokemonL ZONE
pokemon
DOO DOO DOO DOO, pokemonDOO DOO DOO DOO...
Entry: Dpokemonay Seven
DATE: JUNpokemonE 22, 2009
Moopokemond:
            %%%pokemon%%
           }[--  --]{
ZZZ...|  <  pokemon   |
          \   OpokemoO   /

Today in programming class we learned absolutely nothing.
We programmed a bunch of programs. This made me Kind of tired. That is all.
THE KHUpokemonL ZONE
pokemon
DOO DOO DOO DOO, pokemonDOO DOO DOO DOO...
Entry: Dpokemonay Size
DATE: JUNpokemonE 23, 2009
Moopokemond:
%%%pokemon%%
}[O  O]{
|  <  pokemon   |
\   Upokemon   /

Today in class (similar to yesterday), the entire day was based on programming. We did learn about vectors, though. Afterwards I worKed on my program for the game of life. Then I worKed on my Monty Hall Program. Both can be found on the Projects page. That's about it. No really that is all. goodbye.
THE KHUpokemonL ZONE
pokemon
DOO DOO DOO DOO, pokemonDOO DOO DOO DOO...




















AHA! So you thought looKing down here would get you more info? well it didn't. Ha!
THE KHUpokemonL ZONE
pokemon
DOO DOO DOO DOO, pokemonDOO DOO DOO DOO...
Entry: Dpokemonay Eight
DATE: JUNpokemonE 25, 2009
Moopokemond:
%%%pokemon%%
}[O  O]{
|  <  pokemon   |
\   Upokemon   /

Today in class we had a lecture about AI (artificial intelligence). A few things were defined as well as some fun facts learned:
  1. Intelligence is the ability to respond logically with sufficient self-preserving output based on volitiale mutable input in the fourth dimension.
  2. Artificial is anything man-made not occuring naturally.
  3. A robot is unable to be self-aware without first being concious
  4. The end of the world can be determined by the existence of a singularity
  5. A singularity is a robot capable of producing a smarter version of itself (leading to the destruction of man)
  6. A robot designed for a specific tasK may stray from said tasK with a seeming sense of creativity though it lacks self-awareness
That is all we did today.

THE KHUpokemonL ZONE
pokemon
DOO DOO DOO DOO, pokemonDOO DOO DOO DOO...
Entry: Dpokemonay Eight
DATE: JUNpokemonE 26, 2009
Moopokemond:
            %%%pokemon%%
           }[--  --]{
ZZZ...|  <  pokemon   |
          \   OpokemoO   /

Today in class we had a lecture about cyber-monKeys. Some scientists here at DuKe university attached electrodes to the brains of monKeys to pick up the signals from their neurons. Through this, the monKeys could play WacKadot with their minds! I thought it was really cool. It worked by detecting the electrical signals of the neurons that were passed along. This technology could be used to control animals liKe mice. We also finished up our program today for the compitition. We had six hours to create a space shooter and present it to the class. It was very difficult to maKe a game in such a short amount of time, and we were completely unable to finish it.
THE KHUpokemonL ZONE
pokemon
DOO DOO DOO DOO, pokemonDOO DOO DOO DOO...
Entry: Dpokemonay Nine
DATE: JUNpokemonE 27, 2009
Moopokemond:
            %%%pokemon%%
           }[O  O]{
            |  <  pokemon   |
          \   UpokemoO   /

Today in class, we got locked out of the building. Unfortunately this means we lost approximately one hour of classtime. Upon arrival, we read a long article about someone who made a game in one week (forty hours). In forty hours, he tried to make an RPG, complete with melee, magic, enemies, equipment, money (silver), a restroom, and a shop. All of these features were too much for him to implement in his schedule, leading to some of his features being cut.

It is hard to compare this to the project we made in class yesterday. For example, we had six hours to work on a game compared to his forty, meaning our code was easier to follow since we didn't have as much written. Additionally, we did not have the kind of feature implementation necessary for an RPG that he did because we made a space-shooter.

In the future I think I will follow some of the lessons he gave at the end of the article, for example working on getting the game to work, and making the basics of the game come together before working on amazing features I may not have time to finish anyway. That is probably the most important lesson.

In conclusion, this article taught me that no matter how good of a programmer you are, you will most likely end up failing due to time contraints. THE END!
Quoffle
Entry: Dpokemonay Nine
DATE: JUNpokemonE 29, 2009
Moopokemond:
            %%%pokemon%%
           }[--  --]{
ZZZ...|  <  pokemon   |
          \   OpokemoO   /

Today we worked on our capstone programs. I am partnered with David. Nuff Said!
Entry: Dpokemonay Ten
DATE: JUNpokemonE 30, 2009
Moopokemond:
            %%%pokemon%%
           }[--  --]{
ZZZ...|  <  pokemon   |
          \   OpokemoO   /
Today we continued to worK on our capstone. Nuff Said!
Entry: Dpokemonay Eleven
DATE: JULY 1, 2009
Moopokemond:
            %%%pokemon%%
           }[--  --]{
ZZZ...|  <  pokemon   |
          \   UpokemoO   /
Today we continued to worK on our capstone. David did some art.
Entry: Dpokemonay Twelve
DATE: JULY 2, 2009
Moopokemond:
            %%%pokemon%%
           }[--  --]{
ZZZ...|  <  pokemon   |
          \   UpokemoO   /
Today we continued to worK on our capstone. David wasted all day drawing a busty princess in GIMP. That is all. I have enjoyed this class because it is fun.
Entry: Dpokemonay Thirteen
DATE: JULY 3, 2009
Moopokemond:
            %%%pokemon%%
           }[--  --]{
ZZZ...|  <  pokemon   |
          \   UpokemoO   /

Today was the last day of class. We finished up our program and presented it to the class. It was really good. This class has allowed me to do more programming. This  makes me quite glad. Time for the test. Go down to the botton of the page.


































THE TEST


1. Which letter was made larger every time it was typed?

1) the letter K
2) the letter Z
3) the letter H
4) Bowling Shoes

2. On which day did the letter from answer one start being capitalized rather than enlarged?

1) Day Five
2) Day Twelve
3) Day Three
4) Day Nine

3. On which day did justification start going to the center?

1) Day Six

Answers:

1,1,1