Quote of the Day - 101 Computing

Limit 33

Posted on September 8, 2015 by Administrator Posted in Computer Science, Python - Intermediate, Python Challenges, Solved Challenges

“Limit 33” is a simple game of adding a series of random numbers to a running total. The player’s aim it to reach a total as close as possible to 33 without taking this total over 33.

Rules of the Game

A player starts with a total of zero.
On each turn a random number between 1 and 10 is generated and added to the player’s total.
If the player’s total exceeds 33, the player has lost and the game ends: Game Over.
At the end of each turn the player is asked whether they want to complete another turn or quit.
If they quit, the player is given a score as follows:

Zero point if their total is below 24 or above 33.
10 x (total – 23) points if their total is between 24 to 33.

For instance with a total of 29, the player would score 10 x (29-23) = 60 points. The maximum score they can reach is 10 x (33-23) = 100 when they reach a total of 33!

Flowchart

Your Challenge

For this challenge, you will create the Python code for this game. You can use the flowchart given above to help you with your code.

Solution...

The solution for this challenge is available to full members!
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Tagged with: Flowchart, Python Challenge

For Sale

Posted on September 6, 2015 by Administrator Posted in Computer Science, Python - Beginner, Python Challenges, Solved Challenges

Learning Objectives

In this challenge we are learning how to use variables to store the characteristics of your house. Some of our variables will be used to store text (string) such as the street name of your house. Some variables will be used to store numbers, either whole numbers (integers) or numbers with a decimal place (reals/floats). For instance we could use a variable called numberOfBedrooms.

Once we have stored all the characteristics of our house we will use the print command in Python to print a full description of our house.

Using variables

Look at the example below to see how text (string) and numbers (integers or reals) are stored using variables.

streetName = "Turing Street"
typeOfHouse = "detached"
numberOfBedrooms = 3
price = 99999.99

Have you noticed the use of “speech marks” when storing a string?

Step #1

Use the trinket below to store the street name, town, type of house (terraced, semi-detached, detached, flat). Don’t forget the use of “speech marks”.

Step #2

Now save the number of bedrooms, number of reception rooms, number of floors and selling price of your house, using numerical values. You will not need to use speech marks.

Step #3

We will now use the print command to display a description of our house on screen.

We will combine statements such as “My house is located on ” and variables (such as streetname) to create a clear description of our house. To do this we will use the + operator.

Tip:

When combining two strings or a statement and a string variable we use the + operator. For instance:

print("A lovely " + typeOfHouse + " located on " + streetName + ".")

When combining a string or a statement with a numerical variable (integer or real) we have to cast (convert) this number into a string using the str() function. For instance:

print("This house consists of " + str(numberOfBedrooms) + " bedrooms.")

Your Challenge

Complete your code to create a complete description of your house. For instance:

For sale: A superb semi-detached house located on Turing Street, London. This house contains 3 bedrooms and 2 reception rooms and is organised across 2 floors. It is for sale at £1,000,000.

Extension:

Can you think of additional characteristics to describe your house? For instance number of bathrooms, etc.

Create more variables to store these new characteristics and complete your description of your house.

Challenge #2

Using if statements we can tell the computer whether to execute some lines of codes or not. Let’s create a few more variables to store whether or not your house has:

A front garden,
A back garden,
A swimming pool,
A garage,
etc.

Then, using if statements, we will decide whether or not to add information to our description.

For instance:

frontGarden = True
if frontGarden == True:
    print ("This house also benefits from a lovely front garden.")

Complete your code adding extra characteristics to your house and displaying a message when relevant using if statements.

Solution...

The solution for this challenge is available to full members!
Find out how to become a member:
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Tagged with: Python

My superhero

Posted on September 6, 2015 by Administrator Posted in Computer Science, Python - Beginner, Python Challenges, Solved Challenges

Learning Objectives

In this challenge we are learning how to use variables to store the properties of a superhero. Some of our variables will be used to store text (string) such as the name of our super hero. Some variables will be used to store numbers, either whole numbers (integers) or numbers with a decimal place (reals/floats).

Once we have stored all our properties of our superhero we will use the print command in Python to print a full description of our superhero.

Using variables

Look at the example below to see how text (string) and numbers (integers or reals) are stored using variables.

name = "Baymax"
strength = 9
height = 1.85

Have you noticed the use of “speech marks” when storing a string?

Step #1

Use the trinket below to store the name, location, gender, name of the enemy, super powers of your superhero. Dont forget the use of “speech marks”.

name = "..."
location = "..."
gender = "..."
enemy = "..."
powers = "..., ..., ..."

Step #2

Now save the speed, age and strength of your superhero using numerical values. You will not need to use speech marks.

speed = 
strength = 
age =

Step #3

We will now use the print command to display a description of our superhero on screen.

We will combine statements such as “My superhero is called ” and variables (such as name) to create a clear description of our superhero. To do this we will use the + operator.

Tip:

When combining two strings or a statement and a string variable we use the + operator. For instance:

print("Hello, my name is " + name + " and I live in " + location + ".")

When combining a string or a statement with a numerical variable (integer or real) we have to cast (convert) this number into a string using the str() function. For instance:

print("My strength score is " + str(strength) + " out of 10.")

Your Challenge

Complete your code to create a complete description of your superhero. For instance:

My name is Batman and I live in Gotham City. I am male and my enemy is The Joker.

Extension:

Can you think of additional properties to describe your superhero? For instance the colours of their costume, their height, their weight, etc.

Create more variables to store these new properties and complete your description of your superhero.

Solution...

The solution for this challenge is available to full members!
Find out how to become a member:
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Tagged with: Python

12-hour clock

Posted on August 31, 2015 by Administrator Posted in Computer Science, Python - Intermediate, Python Challenges, Solved Challenges

Did You Know?

The 12-hour clock is a time convention in which the 24 hours of the day are divided into two periods: a.m. (from the Latin ante meridiem, meaning “before midday”) and p.m. (post meridiem, “after midday”). Each period consists of 12 hours numbered: 12 (acting as zero), 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11. The 24 hour/day cycle starts at 12 midnight (often indicated as 12 a.m.), runs through 12 noon (often indicated as 12 p.m.), and continues to the midnight at the end of the day.

24-hour to 12-hour clock convertor

Your challenge consists of writing a computer program that asks the end-user to enter a time in the 24-hour format (e.g. 18:36). The program will convert this time in the 12-hour format (e.g. 6:36 PM).

Solution

Extension

Amend this code to validate the user entry and make sure they enter a time between 00:00 and 23:59 and to display an error message if not.

Solution...

The solution for this challenge is available to full members!
Find out how to become a member:
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Tagged with: Python Challenge

Minecraft Trampoline

Posted on July 27, 2015 by Administrator Posted in Computer Science, Python - Intermediate, Python Challenges

In this post we will use Python 2 and Minecraft to create a virtual trampoline for Minecraft. We will first build the trampoline using Minecraft blocks (in Python). Then we will write a routine to make the main player bounce up and down on the trampoline.

Step 1: Let’s connect to the Minecraft World via our Python script

For this challenge we are using a Raspberry Pi with Minecraft and Python 2 pre-installed.

from mcpi import minecraft, block
import time 

mc = minecraft.Minecraft.create()

msg = "Hello Minecraft World from 101 Computing"
mc.postToChat(msg)

Now try this, just to make sure it works! You should see a message appearing on your minecraft screen. If you are not sure how to do this you may want to check our first minecraft + python tutorial.

(x,y,z) coordinates?

Before getting started you need to understand how the (x,y,z) coordinates are used to retrieve the position of the player in the minecraft world or to add blocks at the right position. As you can see on the picture to the left, it is slightly confusing as the vertical axis is not the z axis but the y axis.

Step 2: Building the trampoline

Our trampoline will be quite basic. It will consists of 4 posts (made of stone blocks) and a 6 by 6 bouncing area made of wood (ouch!).

Before we can build this trampoline we are going to find the position of the player so we can build this trampoline next to our main player (in fact just 5 blocks away on the x axis)

So let’s see how this all works:

from mcpi import minecraft, block
import time 

mc = minecraft.Minecraft.create()
msg = "Hello Minecraft World from 101 Computing"
mc.postToChat(msg)

def buildTrampoline(x , y, z, width):
    time.sleep(1)
    mc.setBlock(x, y, z, block.STONE)
    mc.setBlock(x, y, z+width, block.STONE)
    mc.setBlock(x + width, y, pos.z, block.STONE)
    mc.setBlock(x+width, y, z+width, block.STONE)
    mc.setBlocks(x, y+1, z, x + width, y+1, z + width, block.WOOD)


#Let's get the player's coordinates
pos=mc.player.getPos()

#We will build the trampoline 5 blocks away from the player
trampoline_xPos = pos.x + 5
trampoline_yPos = pos.y
trampoline_zPos = pos.z
trampoline_width = 6

buildTrampoline(trampoline_xPos,trampoline_yPos,trampoline_zPos,trampoline_width)

Step 3: Make it Bounce!

Let’s first create a new routine to make the player bounce up in the sky using a for loop.

def bounce():
    x, y, z = mc.player.getPos()
    for i in range(1,21):
        time.sleep(0.01)
        mc.player.setPos(x,y+i,z)

We don’t have to worry about getting the player to go down as it will do so automatically (there is gravity in the minecraft world!).

Then we will use an infinite loop to constantly check on the player’s position. If the player is on the trampoline then we will call our bounce() procedure.

while True:
    x, y, z = mc.player.getPos()
    if (x>=trampoline_xPos and x<=(trampoline_xPos+trampoline_width)) and (z>=trampoline_zPos and z<=(trampoline_zPos+trampoline_width)):
          block_beneath = mc.getBlock(x, y-1, z)
          if block_beneath==17: #17 is wood
            bounce()

Complete script:

from mcpi import minecraft, block
import time

def buildTrampoline(x , y, z, width):
    time.sleep(1)
    mc.setBlock(x, y, z, block.STONE)
    mc.setBlock(x, y, z+width, block.STONE)
    mc.setBlock(x + width, y, pos.z, block.STONE)
    mc.setBlock(x+width, y, z+width, block.STONE)
    mc.setBlocks(x, y+1, z, x + width, y+1, z + width, block.WOOD)

def bounce():
    x, y, z = mc.player.getPos()
    for i in range(1,21):
        time.sleep(0.01)
        mc.player.setPos(x,y+i,z)

mc = minecraft.Minecraft.create()

msg = "Hello Minecraft World from 101 Computing"
mc.postToChat(msg)

#Let's get the player's coordinates
pos=mc.player.getPos()

#We will build the trampoline 5 blocks away from the player
trampoline_xPos = pos.x + 5
trampoline_yPos = pos.y
trampoline_zPos = pos.z
trampoline_width = 6

buildTrampoline(trampoline_xPos,trampoline_yPos,trampoline_zPos,trampoline_width)

mc.postToChat("Climb on the trampoline next to you to start bouncing.")

while True:
    x, y, z = mc.player.getPos()
    if (x>=trampoline_xPos and x<=(trampoline_xPos+trampoline_width)) and (z>=trampoline_zPos and z<=(trampoline_zPos+trampoline_width)):
          block_beneath = mc.getBlock(x, y-1, z)
          if block_beneath==17: #17 is wood
            bounce()

Your Challenge

Use the above script to make your trampoline.

Once you have it working adapt this script to create an escalator. The escalator should be built using a Python script. As the soon as the main player goes on the escalator they should automatically move up the stairs, one step at a time.

Tagged with: 3D, Coordinates, Minecraft

Avatar Generator

Posted on July 27, 2015 by Administrator Posted in Computer Science, Python - Beginner, Python Challenges

In this challenge we will use Python Turtle to create avatars. (An avatar is an icon representing a particular person in a computer game, Internet forum, etc.)

Try the code below. This code is using a few computing concepts such as:

A list to store the different colour codes,
(x,y) coordinates to position the turtle on the screen.

List?

In Python, a list is used to save a collection of values. For instance, to save all the different days of the week we could declare a variable called “daysOfTheWeek” and assign a list as follows:

daysOfTheWeek = ["Monday", "Tuesday", "Wednesday", "Thursday", "Friday", "Saturday", "Sunday"]

Based on this what do you think len(daysOfTheWeek) would return?
What’s about daysOfTheWeek[0]?
Or daysOfTheWeek[3] ?

In our avatar generator code we use three lists to store all the different colours for the skin, the hair and the eyes:

skinColors = ["#FCD09D","#FAC47A", "#DBA965", "#CC9D5E","#A3855B","#806645","#665135"]
eyeColors = ["#489CF0","#15A315", "#8C3303"]
hairColors = ["#000000","#8C3303","#F5D907","#580000","#E31E00","#636363","#FFFFFF"]

By using the random library we can access a random value of a list.

import random #Only use this instruction once at the very beginning of your code

hairColors = ["#000000","#8C3303","#F5D907","#580000","#E31E00","#636363","#FFFFFF"]
hairColorIndex = random.randint(0,6)

print(hairColors[hairColorIndex])

(x,y) coordinates using turtle

On this trinket widget the turtle screen is 400 pixels wide. So:

the top left corner coordinates are (-200,200)
the top right corner coordinates are (200,200)
the bottom left corner coordinates are (-200,-200)
the bottom right corner coordinates are (200,-200)
the centre of the screen coordinates are (0,0)

Look at the canvas below to understand how (x,y) coordinates work:

Avatar Generator

Your Challenge

Start customising the above script to add a random colour for the background. You can select colour codes using www.colorpicker.com.

Then add a T-shirt to your avatar, using random colours too.

Customise your avatar further by adding a beauty spot, different colours of lipstick, a mustache, a beard etc.

Tagged with: Coordinates, Procedure, Python Turtle, subroutine

Le Tour de France

Posted on July 20, 2015 by Administrator Posted in Computer Science, Python - Intermediate, Python Challenges, Solved Challenges

Learning Objectives

By completing this challenge we are learning how to open and extract data from a text file, reading the file line by line. We will then use our program to make some calculations such as calculating the total distance of the race over 21 stages.

The Race

Le Tour de France is a cycling race that takes place over 21 stages (23 days in total, including two rest days). The text file below contains a list of the 21 stages as follows (based on the 2015 route):

Stage Number;Distance in km;Starting from;Arriving at

letour.txt

The Code

Your Challenge

Adapt this code to answer the following questions:

What stage is the longest stage (in distance)?
What stage is the shortest stage (in distance)?
What is the average distance per stage?
What is the total distance of the race in miles?
Between stage 16 and stage 17, once in Gap, cyclists have a rest day. How many kilometres have they been cycling for? How many kilometres are left till the end of the race?

Solution...

The solution for this challenge is available to full members!
Find out how to become a member:
➤ Members' Area

Tagged with: File Handling, Python Challenge

Rainbow Challenge

Posted on July 17, 2015 by Administrator Posted in Computer Science, Python - Intermediate, Python Challenges

In this challenge we are going to use our coding skills to create some nice colour patterns. We will first look at the code given to create a rainbow effect to understand how it works. We will then adapt this script to create three other colour patterns.

Rainbow Effect

Try the code above. This code is using a few computing concetps such as:

A list to store the different colour codes,
Iteration using a for loop to loop through each colour in the list,
(x,y) coordinates to position the turtle on the screen.

List?

In Python, a list is used to save a collection of values. For instance, to save all the different days of the week we could declare a variable called “daysOfTheWeek” and assign a list as follows:

daysOfTheWeek = ["Monday", "Tuesday", "Wednesday", "Thursday", "Friday", "Saturday", "Sunday"]

Based on this what do you think len(daysOfTheWeek) would return?
What’s about daysOfTheWeek[0]?
Or daysOfTheWeek[3] ?

Looping through a list

It is possible to access each value of a list one at a time using a for loop. Look at the following code to print the seven days of the week.

daysOfTheWeek = ["Monday", "Tuesday", "Wednesday", "Thursday", "Friday", "Saturday", "Sunday"]

for day in daysOfTheWeek:
    print(day)

In our rainbow code we use a list to store all the different colours of the rainbow as follows:

rainbowColors = ["#FF0000","#FFA600","#FFFF00", "#62FF00", "#1E56FC","#4800FF","#CC00FF","#69C5FF"]

(x,y) coordinates using turtle

On this trinket widget the turtle screen is 400 pixels wide. So:

the top left corner coordinates are (-200,200)
the top right corner coordinates are (200,200)
the bottom left corner coordinates are (-200,-200)
the bottom right corner coordinates are (200,-200)
the centre of the screen coordinates are (0,0)

Look at the canvas below to understand how (x,y) coordinates work:

Colour Pattern #1

Use and adapt the script above to recreate this colour pattern. The colour codes are given to you in the colour palette below.

Colour	Hex	RGB
	#0099e6	(0,153,230)
	#43e0ef	(67,224,239)
	#c3e970	(195,233,112)
	#ffa9c2	(255,169,194)
	#d297d9	(210,151,217)

Colour Pattern #2

Use and adapt your script to recreate this colour pattern. The colour codes are given to you in the colour palette below.

Colour	Hex	RGB
	#ff0000	(255,0,0)
	#d61a1a	(214,26,26)
	#a50000	(165,0,0)
	#ddb200	(221,178,0)
	#e7e497	(231,228,151)

Colour Pattern #3: Using a Random pattern

Use and adapt your script to recreate this colour pattern. The colour codes are given to you in the colour palette below.

However there is no colour pattern here. Each circle uses a random colour from the colour palette.

Check the code below used to randomly pick a colour from:

import random #Only use this statement once, at the top of your Python program.

rainbowColors = ["#FF0000","#FFA600","#FFFF00", "#62FF00", "#1E56FC","#4800FF","#CC00FF","#69C5FF"]
randomColor = random.choice(rainbowColors)

Colour	Hex	RGB
	#ECECEC	(236,236,236)
	#2198d5	(33,152,213)
	#0f8975	(15,137,117)
	#0f6089	(15,96,137)
	#000000	(0,0,0)

Tagged with: Coordinates, iteration, List, Python Turtle

Turtle Maze Challenge

Posted on July 15, 2015 by Administrator Posted in Computer Science, Python - Beginner, Python Challenges, Solved Challenges

Your challenge is to guide the turtle through the maze. To do so you will need to use the following instructions:

myPen.forward(100) to move forward by 100 pixels,
myPen.right(90) to turn right by 90 degrees,
myPen.left(90) to turn left by 90 degrees.

Complete the code

Using a for loop

Note that, as you progress through the maze you may also decide to use a for loop to repeat a set of instructions several times.
For instance:

for i in range(0,3):
   myPen.forward(100)
   myPen.left(90)

Video Tutorial:

Solution...

The solution for this challenge is available to full members!
Find out how to become a member:
➤ Members' Area

Tagged with: Coordinates, iteration, Python Turtle

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Learning Objectives

List?

Challenge

Your Task

Solution...

Rules of the Game

Flowchart

Your Challenge

Solution...

Learning Objectives

Using variables

Step #1

Step #2

Step #3

Tip:

Your Challenge

Extension:

Challenge #2

Solution...

Learning Objectives

Using variables

Step #1

Step #2

Step #3

Tip:

Your Challenge

Extension:

Solution...

Did You Know?

24-hour to 12-hour clock convertor

Solution

Extension

Solution...

Step 1: Let’s connect to the Minecraft World via our Python script

(x,y,z) coordinates?

Step 2: Building the trampoline

Step 3: Make it Bounce!

Complete script:

Your Challenge

List?

(x,y) coordinates using turtle

Avatar Generator

Your Challenge

Learning Objectives

The Race

The Code

Your Challenge

Solution...

Rainbow Effect

List?

Looping through a list

(x,y) coordinates using turtle

Colour Pattern #1

Colour Pattern #2

Colour Pattern #3: Using a Random pattern

Complete the code

Using a for loop

Video Tutorial:

Solution...