INTRODUCTION TO SCRATCH

What is SCRATCH?

- Scratch is a basic coding language that uses ‘building block’ style coding to create animated stories, interactive games,
simulations, and beautiful artwork.

Elements of SCRATCH Environment

Block Palette

- is the area on the left of the screen when the Code button is opened. On the left, there is an area that contains the nine
sections of blocks in Scratch. To the right of that, there is an area that contains blocks that can be dragged into the Code Area
to make code.

Categories of Code Blocks

1. Motion
- deal with the movement of sprites.
2. Looks
- are related to the appearance of sprites and the stage. Some of the functionalities are changing costumes and applying
graphic effects. There are currently 20 Looks blocks: 17 stack blocks and 3 reporter blocks. 14 are only for sprites, and 4 are
only for the Stage.
3. Sound
- are related to playing various sounds, whether they be MIDI notes or saved sounds. There are currently sound 9 blocks: 8
stack blocks and 1 reporter block.
4. Events
- are related to various triggers in a project, or when one-part signals another to run.
- used to be part of the Control category prior to Scratch 2.0. The "Events" category consists mostly of hat blocks. There are
currently 8 Events blocks: 6 hat blocks and 2 stack blocks.
5. Controls
- run the basic flow of a project in the desired fashion, whether it be organized or unexpected.
- They provide functions for looping various blocks and scripts. They "control" the project and enhance its running. There are
currently 11 Control blocks: 1 hat block, 5 C Blocks, 3 stack blocks and 2 cap blocks.
6. Sensing
- associate with sprites and the stage detecting conditions.
- For example, sensing blocks can be used to detect when one sprite touches another. They consist of many Booleans and can
work with Control blocks to stabilize a project' a flow. There are currently 18 Sensing blocks: 3 stack blocks, 5 Boolean blocks
and 10 reporter blocks. There are currently 18 sensing blocks: 3 stack blocks, 5 Boolean blocks and 10 reporter blocks.
7. Operators
- originally called "Numbers" blocks before Scratch 1.4, deal with many mathematical functions within a project. They are a
green color and provide the capabilities of simple to complex mathematical operations. "Operators" also contains blocks for
modifying strings and implementing them into various uses. There are some Boolean blocks, too, in which some are related
to mathematical outputs, while others are used for adjoining other Booleans into one or a different output condition. There
are currently 18 operators blocks: 7 Boolean blocks and 11 reporter blocks.
8. Variables
- include two subcategories, Variables and Lists, but both are related to storing and accessing data. This category was called
Data in 2.0. Variables blocks are used for storing information, such as a score in a project, and using it in scripting and other
beneficial purposes.
9. My Blocks.

BLOCK SHAPES

 Hat blocks
- the blocks that start every script.
- They are shaped with a rounded top and a bump at the bottom — this is so you can only place blocks below them.

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  Stack blocks
- are the blocks that perform the main commands.
- They are shaped with a notch at the top and a bump on the bottom — this is so blocks can be placed above and below them.

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 Boolean blocks
- are the conditions — they are either true or false.
- For example, asking a computer: "Does 2 + 2 = 4?", and it would either tell you "True" or "False". With a hexagonal shape,
there are 13 of these blocks.

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 Reporter blocks
- are the values.
- can hold numbers and strings. It is like asking a friend, for example, "What is 2 + 2?", and they would answer "4". It can also
report a variable. For example, "What is your age?" and they may answer: "15".

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 C blocks
- are blocks that take the shape of "C's".
- Also known as "Wrap blocks", these blocks loop the blocks within the Cs or check if a condition is true.

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 Cap blocks
- are the blocks that end scripts.
- They are shaped with a notch at the top and a flat bottom — this is so you cannot place any blocks below them.

ELEMENTS OF SCRATCH ENVIRONMENT

Code Area
- is the large empty space to the right of the Block Palette. It is an area for storing blocks that run the project. Blocks can be
dragged from the Block Palette into the Code Area and arranged to form scripts.
Sprite
- Either user-created, uploaded, or found in the sprite’s library, are the objects that perform actions in a project.
Sprite Pane
- It is a white area located beneath the Stage where all sprites present in a project can be easily accessed to modify or inspect.
Stage
- The stage is the area where the sprites are and perform their actions. It is located in the top of the area to the right of the
Code Area.

RUNNING THE PROGRAM

 To start your program or to test your code click the Green Flag located above the Stage and to stop your program click the Red Stop
Sign.
 You can make your Stage full screen by clicking the button with the four arrows in the top right corner above the Stage.
 Finally, once you’ve finished your creation you can save it by clicking on File > Save To Your Computer.
 Creating a simple jumping game
 Note that the selected sprite is the one being coded.
 Code the second sprite.
 Simple Animation on Flying Parrot