Virtual Pet Simulator - OOP Challenge

🐾 Project Overview

This Python project implements a Virtual Pet Simulator using Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) principles. The application allows you to create and interact with a virtual pet by feeding it, playing with it, letting it sleep, and even teaching it new tricks!

🧠 Learning Objectives

This project demonstrates several key OOP concepts in Python:

• Classes and Objects
• Attributes (properties) and Methods (behaviors)
• Constructors (__init__)
• Instance methods
• State management through attribute values
• Basic user interaction through the command line

🛠️ Features

The Virtual Pet has the following characteristics:

Attributes:

• name: The name of your pet
• hunger: Integer representing hunger level (0 = full, 10 = very hungry)
• energy: Integer representing energy level (0 = tired, 10 = fully rested)
• happiness: Integer representing happiness level (0-10)
• tricks: List of tricks the pet has learned (bonus feature)

Methods:

• eat(): Reduces hunger by 3 points (but not below 0) and increases happiness by 1
• sleep(): Increases energy by 5 points (but not above 10)
• play(): Decreases energy by 2, increases happiness by 2, and increases hunger by 1
• get_status(): Displays the current state of all pet attributes
• train(trick): Teaches your pet a new trick (bonus feature)
• show_tricks(): Displays all tricks your pet has learned (bonus feature)

📁 Project Structure

OOP-Challenge/
│
├── pet.py            # Contains the Pet class definition
├── main.py           # Main program for interacting with your pet
├── README.md         # Project documentation
│
└── screenshots/      # Folder containing output screenshots
    └── virtual_pet_demo.png  # Screenshot of the running application

🚀 How to Run

1. Clone this repository:

   git clone <repository-url>
   

2. Navigate to the project directory:

   cd OOP-Challenge
   

3. Run the main program:

   python main.py
   

4. Follow the on-screen prompts to interact with your virtual pet!

📝 Code Examples

Creating a Pet (from main.py)

from pet import Pet

# Create a new pet
pet_name = input("What would you like to name your pet? ")
my_pet = Pet(pet_name)

Pet Class Example (from pet.py)

class Pet:
    def __init__(self, name):
        self.name = name
        self.hunger = 5  # Starting value
        self.energy = 5  # Starting value
        self.happiness = 5  # Starting value
        self.tricks = []  # For bonus functionality
    
    def eat(self):
        if self.hunger >= 3:
            self.hunger -= 3
        else:
            self.hunger = 0
        self.happiness += 1
        if self.happiness > 10:
            self.happiness = 10
        return f"{self.name} has eaten and is feeling better!"

📸 Screenshots

The screenshots folder contains visual examples of the application in action:

• virtual_pet_demo.png: Shows the interactive menu and pet status display

🎯 Bonus Challenges Completed

• Added method train(trick) that teaches the pet a new trick and stores it in a list
• Added method show_tricks() that displays all learned tricks
• Implemented boundary checking to ensure attribute values stay within proper ranges
• Created an interactive menu system for better user experience

🧪 Future Enhancements

Possible enhancements for this project could include:

• Graphical user interface (GUI)
• Saving/loading pet progress
• Different pet types with unique behaviors
• Pet aging system
• Health status based on other attributes
• Various types of food and activities

📜 License

This project is created for educational purposes as part of the OOP Challenge.

👏 Acknowledgements

Original challenge by Evans-mutuku