Alice 3 to Java: Learning Creative Programming through Storytelling and Gaming / Edition 1

by Wanda Dann, Don Slater, Laura Paoletti, Dave Culyba

Overview

For courses in Introductory Programming for Java and Alice

Learn programming basics in a creative context that’s more engaging and less complicated

Taking a computer programming course can be challenging, time-consuming, and downright frustrating–but there’s a better way. Alice 3 to Java: Learning Creative Programming through Storytelling and Gaming, First Edition introduces readers to programming in a creative context that’s more engaging and less complicated, while still covering all the essential concepts you’d expect to see in an introductory programming course. Readers are invited to step into the world of creating 3D animations through chapters that present programming concepts with hands-on examples. Throughout the text, readers create a short story or game centered on Lawrence Prenderghast’s Haunted Circus, a story by Laura Paoletti. Students bring the story to life through projects and exercises using Alice, an animation tool similar to professional software used by studios like Pixar and DreamWorks. Later in the book, students may apply what they’ve learned in Alice to using Java, a professional, production-level programming course.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780136156741
Publisher:	Pearson Education
Publication date:	02/23/2017
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	512
Product dimensions:	7.80(w) x 9.90(h) x 0.80(d)

Table of Contents

• Prologue: Lawrence Prenderghast’s Haunted Circus

1. Introduction
2. Design
3. Implementation in Alice
4. Implement and Test

1. Procedures, do together, and Count Loops

1. Stepwise Refinement and Inheritance
2. Implementation in Java
3. Importing: Alice 3 to Java and Code

1. Code Reuse, Parameters, Data Types, Variables, and Arithmetic Expressions
2. Java: Parameters, Data Types, Variables, Expressions, and Loop Control

1. Interactivity with Events, If/Else, Conditions, and Built-in Functions

1. Custom Functions, While Loops, Random Values, Input, and a Game Algorithm

1. Built-in Arrays, Poses, More Events, and Interactive Controls

1. Custom Arrays and Functions
2. Java: Custom Arrays and Sort

1. Event-Driven Programming and Advanced Game Controls