This course repository contains homework assignments, useful guides, and code for "Programming & Electronics" at CCA, Fall 2016, Monday section.
Also included in this repository is the official course syllabus.
Lecture:
- Inspirational Videos
- Introductions
- What is programming?
- Goals & course details
Hands-on activities:
- Human Embodiment of Programmer & Robot
- Programs generally run line-by-line.
- While loops, if statements, and functions break that up.
Some inspirational videos:
- Basic robots
- Installations
- Art & Music bots
- Drink-makers
- Computer Numerical Control (CNC)
- Vacuuming
Lecture:
- Homework Review
Workshop:
Together, we'll write code to generate this image:
Lab:
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Rewrite the following code without using a loop:
function setup() { createCanvas(200, 200); background(255); var i = 0; while (i < 7) { line(10+i*30, 10, 10+i*30, height-10); i = i + 1; } }
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Rewrite the following code using a
whileorforloop:function setup() { createCanvas(200, 200); background(255); line(10, 10, 20, 10); line(20, 20, 30, 20); line(30, 30, 40, 30); line(40, 40, 50, 40); line(50, 50, 60, 50); line(60, 60, 70, 60); line(70, 70, 80, 70); line(80, 80, 90, 80); line(90, 90, 100, 90); line(100, 100, 110, 100); line(110, 110, 120, 110); line(120, 120, 130, 120); line(130, 130, 140, 130); line(140, 140, 150, 140); line(150, 150, 160, 150); line(160, 160, 170, 160); line(170, 170, 180, 170); line(180, 180, 190, 180); }
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Look through the P5js reference. Pick a function, and use it in a new sketch of your own choosing.
In class:
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Homework review
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Loops review
In class, we reviewed one way of thinking about how to create a loop. We developed the following process:
- Write down the coordinates of the shapes you want to create in your loop.
- Find the pattern for those coordinates a. Where does it start? b. Where does it end? c. How much does it change each time?
For example, to create the following sketch:
...start by writing down some endpoints for those lines:
(20, 20) -> (20, 20)
(20, 30) -> (30, 20)
(20, 40) -> (40, 20)
(20, 50) -> (50, 20)
(20, 60) -> (60, 20)
(20, 70) -> (70, 20)
(20, 80) -> (80, 20)
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(20, 480) -> (480, 20)
...from these coordinates, we can find a pattern for each of the four parameters we need to draw a line:
startX: always 20startY: starts at 20, ends at 480, goes up by 10 each timeendX: starts at 20, ends at 480, goes up by 10 each timeendY: always 20
...from this pattern, we can generate a loop that draws these lines, by creating a variable that starts at 20, ends at 480, and goes up by 10 each time. We won't call the variable x or y beacuse we don't use it exclusively for either coordinate.
for (var i = 20; i <= 480; i = i + 10) {
var startX = 20;
var startY = i;
var endX = i;
var endY = 20;
line(startX, startY, endX, endY);
}You'll explore a few more similar puzzles in the homework!
In class:
- Homework review
We reviewed the process we developed last week for thinking about a loop.
- Arduino
We installed the Arduino software, attached Arduino boards, and uploaded a program to blink the built in LED. We changed the speed of the blink by changing the parameter in the delay() function.
- Servo motors
We attached a servo motor to the Arduino and made the arm move back and forth using the "sweep" example.
In class:
- Homework review
We reviewed your questions about Arduino and electronics.
- Arduino
We tested our setup with the "blink" example, and then we connected a servo motor. First we used the "sweep" example to move the servo motor, and then we learned how to use a potentiometer and the "knob" example to control the position of the servo motor with the potentiometer.
In class:
- Homework review
- Practice with sensors
- Learning about LDRs and voltage dividers
- Using an LDR to control a servo.
- Lab time
In class:
- Practice quiz review
- Lab time
In class:
- Practice quiz review
- Skulls project critique
In class:
- Quiz!
- Discuss project ideas
Prepare a proposal for your final project.
Create a new github repository for your project, and modify the README.md file to include your project proposal. To learn about formatting text in markdown .md files, read this tutorial and look at the project proposal template.
We've also created a sample project proposal for your perusal.
Your proposal should be thoughtful, complete, and should take into consideration the feedback you received from us and your classmates. You can always modify what you're doing later on, but your proposal should describe a complete project.
The final project is your opportunity to put to work what you've learned so far in class, and to build the skills you're most interested in taking forward with you into your career. Each assignment is in the project sequence is required, so put in the time to ensure that each is complete and well-considered!