This is a very interesting assignment, but I would just point out that this is hardly an "intro CS course." They are doing these particular projects in an intermediate/advanced data structures/algorithms class. That would be a 3rd semester college-level course for those who entered without a programming background. At least that is where the link goes, and that seems appropriate for the assignment.
Just building this as a Python API, rather than a separate interpreter might make for an interesting (and somewhat simpler project). The "critters" could then easily be programmed right in Python, which is something that even beginning programmers could do. --John On Monday 27 August 2007 9:08 am, Clare Richardson wrote: > There's an intro CS course at UT Austin that has an assignment where > students create "critters" that can eat each other, etc, and the > students in the class have a big tournament to see whose critter is the > last man standing. This is often the favorite assignment of the > semester, and many students from past years even come back for the > tournament! > > The assignment comes in two parts: > 1) Write an interpreter for the "Critter language" > 2) Define your own Critter in the Critter language > > The class assignment is in Java, but could easily be turned into Python. > > The project description and code are on this page: > http://www.cs.utexas.edu/users/jdiamond/cs315h/index.html#Proj3 > > Clare Richardson > Technology and Program Coordinator > Girlstart > www.girlstart.org > > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On > Behalf Of Winston Wolff > Sent: Wednesday, August 22, 2007 4:35 PM > To: Dethe Elza > Cc: edu-sig@python.org > Subject: [Edu-sig] Scratch interface for Python,and network programming > games. > > Hi Dethe- > > I have been thinking of exactly the same thing--a Scratch type > environment for Python. And I've also purchased a Nintendo DS > development kit, hoping to make a Python to Nintendo DS development > system. Haven't had time to work on it though with my summer > classes. I should have more time in the fall, perhaps we can > collaborate? > > My biggest interest on the Scratch/Python angle right now is to > develop some team programming games. I.e. you write a program using > Python raw or Python via a Scratch interface for beginners, and then > you throw your program into the ring via the network and have it > compete against other students. > > > > Winston Wolff > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > (646) 827-2242 > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > -- > Stratolab - video game courses for kids in new york - http:// > stratolab.com > _______________________________________________ > Edu-sig mailing list > Edu-sig@python.org > http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/edu-sig -- John M. Zelle, Ph.D. Wartburg College Professor of Computer Science Waverly, IA [EMAIL PROTECTED] (319) 352-8360 _______________________________________________ Edu-sig mailing list Edu-sig@python.org http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/edu-sig
