Programming with scratch session 5

Summer Computing Workshop


Introduction to Variables
 Variables are used in every aspect of

programming. They are used to store data
the programmer needs later in the program.
Let’s create a variable for the new sprite.
Call this variable “score”. On the left you
should see
and
blocks. These are the two most used blocks
when it comes to manipulating variables in
Scratch. Programmers use similar methods
of setting the value to a specified number,
or incrementing/decrementing the value.
Now we will look at a brief overview of this
session.


Session 5


Basic Overview
 Incrementing/Decrementing Variables – This function is useful

when decreasing or increasing variables by a specified
number (e.g. the a player losing lives in a game or increasing
a player’s score).

 Setting Variables – This function is used to set the variable’s

value to a specified number (e.g. setting the score to zero
after the game is restarted or setting the players lives to max
after the game is restarted)

 Using Variables – Programmers use variables to store data for

later use.

 Problems/Type differences – Similar to the issues related with

input, different types of data may have unexpected
outcomes.


Incrementing/Decrementing
Variables


For this examples we need a forever loop, an if conditional block, a
change score by block, a change x by block, another sprite (total of
2), and another block we haven’t used before called
. This block is found in the sensing category and will be used in
the predicate part of an if/else block to detect the collision of some
other object (another sprite, an edge, etc).



We also need to give the user control over the cat similar to the cat

in the input session. Use whatever type of single-character input
you want, allow the user to move the cat towards the other sprite
eventually allowing them to collide.



Now we will create a structure that increments the score only if the
two sprites are touching. Let’s construct this example (see example
5.1 on the Constructed Examples page at the end of this section).



Notice what happens when we stop and restart the program, the
score doesn’t change as though the game started over. This is
where the ability to set the variable comes in handy.


Setting Variables
 To demonstrate setting a variable, we will use the

same script we just pieced together.

 Drag a

to the scripts area and put it above
the forever loop but still a part of the Scratch script.
When do you think the variable score will be set;
before the next game starts, or as the next game
starts? Run the script and see for yourself (see
example 5.2 on the Constructed Examples page at the

end of this section).

 If you notice, the setting of the variable doesn’t occur

when the stop button is pressed, it occurs after the
green flag is clicked again. Now we will enter single
stepping mode and watch the script as it runs in order
to further establish this concept.


Using Number Variables
 There are many different ways programmers use

variables throughout their programs. Variables that
contain numbers are often used in repeat blocks,
move blocks, and change by blocks. Numbers can
also be stored for later use in the program.

 For this example, we need to construct a script that

asks the user how far they want the sprite to move,
then sets that value to a variable called “move.”
The sprite then moves right or left depending on the
entered value.

 Construct example (see example 5.3 on the

Constructed Examples page at the end of this
section).

Using Word Variables


Words can also be used and stored into variables. Examples
could be asking someone's name, or what their favorite color is,
or if they would like to continue with the program.



The example we will construct will modify the previous script to
also ask the user if they would like to continue, and if not, to
enter the word “no.” This will require us to create a new
variable and set it to the answer. Everything needs to be in a
repeat until loop and we only repeat if the answer variable is not
equal to “no.”



Ok, sounds difficult but it really isn’t too bad. Let’s now
construct this example and see how it works (see example 5.4
on the Constructed Examples page at the end of this section).



If you stop the script, notice the variable still contains the word
“no.” This means we must set the value of this variable to
anything other than “no” immediately after the script is started.

Problems that could Arise
 In the program we have created, when the sprite asks

“How far would you like me to move?” try entering a
word or letter instead of a number.

 Again the sprite doesn’t move. Just as discussed in

the input session, Scratch doesn’t allow the
programmer to specify different types of data. If you
notice, the value of the variable “move” is whatever
you entered. In most other programming languages,
programmers specify what type of content the
variable will contain. If it were possible in Scratch, it
would be good practice to specify what type of data
the variable was going to contain later in the
program. This is so we don’t have incompatible
variable types.


Amazing Example


Now we will construct a fairly difficult script using only one sprite. The
script demonstrates how variables can be used throughout a script. The
goal is to have the sprite draw a grid using nested loops and the pen feature
that was discussed in session 3.



First, we want to clear what has been drawn and point the sprite in the 90
degree direction.



Ask for the size of each box inside the grid, assign that value to a variable
called box size.



Ask for the width of the grid or how many blocks wide and assign it to a
variable called width.



Ask for the height of the grid which is how many boxes high the grid will be
and assign the value to a variable called height.



We will need 3 repeat loops. Now let’s construct our example (see example
5.5 on the Constructed Examples page at the end of this section).


Constructed Examples
Example
5.1

Example
5.2

Example
5.3

Example
5.4


Constructed Examples
Example
5.5


Projects
1. Create a Scratch script that averages

multiple numbers. You can either ask the
user to enter how many numbers they would
like to average and use a repeat loop, or use
a repeat until loop and wait for the user to
enter “done.”
2. Create a Scratch script that asks the user to

enter 2 numbers, stores them as variables A
and B, then switches theses numbers.


Session 5 Questions
1.

What is useful about loops?

2.

Once variables contain a value, can that value be changed?

3.

Can a variable contain a number, then later in the program, contain
words?

4.

If so, could this be a problem?

5.

There are two loops, the outer executes 5 times, the inner executes
3 times. Inside the inner loop, there is a block of code that makes a
sprite say “hello world.” How many times will the sprite say “hello
world?”

6.

Can a variable be used any place a number can be used?