For courses in Introductory Programming for Java and Alice

Learn programming basics in a creative context that’s more engaging and less complicated

Taking a computer programming course can be challenging, time-consuming, and downright frustrating–but there’s a better way. Alice 3 to Java: Learning Creative Programming through Storytelling and Gaming, First Edition introduces readers to programming in a creative context that’s more engaging and less complicated, while still covering all the essential concepts you’d expect to see in an introductory programming course. Readers are invited to step into the world of creating 3D animations through chapters that present programming concepts with hands-on examples. Throughout the text, readers create a short story or game centered on Lawrence Prenderghast’s Haunted Circus, a story by Laura Paoletti. Students bring the story to life through projects and exercises using Alice, an animation tool similar to professional software used by studios like Pixar and DreamWorks. Later in the book, students may apply what they’ve learned in Alice to using Java, a professional, production-level programming course.

Prologue: Lawrence Prenderghast’s Haunted Circus

Episode 1. March 1, 1910: Larry

1. Introduction

2. Design

3. Implementation in Alice

4. Implement and Test

Episode 2. The Train Engine

5. Procedures, do together, and Count Loops

Episode 3. The Tunnel

6. Stepwise Refinement and Inheritance

7. Implementation in Java

8. Importing: Alice 3 to Java and Code

Episode 4. The Forest Cabin

9. Code Reuse, Parameters, Data Types, Variables, and Arithmetic Expressions

10. Java: Parameters, Data Types, Variables, Expressions, and Loop Control

Episode 5. The Ringmaster Coat

11. Interactivity with Events, If/Else, Conditions, and Built-in Functions

Episode 6. March 1, 1910: Nicholas

12. Custom Functions, While Loops, Random Values, Input, and a Game Algorithm

Episode 7. March 1, 1910: Esther

13. Built-in Arrays, Poses, More Events, and Interactive Controls

Episode 8. March 1, 1910: Adelaide

14. Custom Arrays and Functions

15. Java: Custom Arrays and Sort

Episode 9. March 1, 1910: Gideon

16. Event-Driven Programming and Advanced Game Controls

Epilogue

Epilogue Capstone Project

Index