More about Scratch

Chapter 7
Scratch
• Interactive graphic based programming language.
• A Scratch project is primarily a program file that contains blocks
known as Scripts.
• These projects are saved with the extension *.sb2
Types of Blocks
Based on the uses, there are 6 types of Scratch blocks.
• Hat blocks
• Cap blocks
• Stack blocks
• Reporter blocks
• Conditional blocks
• Looping blocks
Hat block
• The block that shows the beginning of the script.
• They are shaped like a hat.
• Therefore, no block can be placed on top of it.
• All the Hat blocks are present either in Control blocks, Events blocks
or More blocks.
Cap Blocks
• Blocks that are used to stop the execution of a script or a project.
• No block can be added beneath them.

Stack Blocks
• Blocks comes with a notch on the top and the bottom.
• Therefore, can be kept one over another.
 Reporter Blocks
• Reports value.
• Used whenever a script needs a certain value.
• The value can be a number or a string.
• It can also in the form of numbers or values from the drop-downs.
Conditional Blocks
• This block used whenever the flow of execution needs to be changed
based on a condition.
• Any label that says ‘if’ , ‘when’ or ‘until’, it’s a conditional block.
 Looping Blocks
• Blocks that can be used to repeat a set of blocks N number of times
based on a condition.
• Any label that begins with ‘forever’ or ‘repeat’ is a looping block.

Repeat block
• Used to repeat the blocks within the loop specified number of times.

Forever block
• Used to repeat the blocks within it repeatedly.
• Primarily used in creating games.
Block Categories.
Blocks can be categorised into various types.
• Control blocks
• Sensing blocks
• Variable blocks
Control blocks
• Used to control the execution of the script.
• Golden in colour.
• There are 11 control blocks.
Hat Block Control Block

Stack Block Cap Block

Sensing blocks
• Used to detect different factors of a project.
• Light blue in colour

Variable blocks
• This block is available under Data block.
• Comes under two categories. Variables and lists.
 Blocks related to Variables Blocks related to Lists

It works for the variable Num. The above work for the list students.

Use can make any number of variables.

 Using Scratch Blocks
Move block
Motion block
• Instructions related to the movement of the Sprite are here

Show a moving Sprite

Open Scratch Motion block Select

Can increase or decrease this number.

Negative number – Makes the Sprite to move to the opposite direction.
Turn Block
Used to give Sprite direction which can be clockwise or anticlockwise.

Motion block select

• This will rotate the Sprite 15 degrees to the right.

Motion block select

• This will rotate the Sprite 15 degrees to the left.

• Negative number – will rotate the Sprite in the opposite direction.
How to make a Sprite dance
Repeat Block
• Repeat a block specified number of times.
• Available in the Control block.
Say block
• To make a Sprite say a word or a sentence.
• They are purple colour blocks under Looks block.

• Allows the Sprite to display a message in a voice bubble

How to make a Sprite speak
Change colour effect by block
• Looks block can also be used to change colour effects of the Sprite.
Changing the backdrop of the Stage
• New backdrop icons are used to change the background of the stage.
• Can create are own backdrop or choose any backdrop from the
available options.
• Four different ways to do this.
1. Choose background from Library
2. Paint New Backgrounds
3. Upload background from file
4. New backdrop from Camera
Choose background from Library
• You can choose backdrop from the displayed list click Ok

Paint New Backgrounds

• In backdrop window editor can draw your own backdrop

Upload Background from file

• Select the desired backdrop and click on the open button. It will upload to
your backdrop

New backdrop from Camera

• Allows to click a picture from your builtin camera and use it as backdrop.
How to use the costumes tab
• The appearance of the Sprite can be changed.
• Looks block can be used.

Costumes tab New costumes options are displayed

Choose options from library Select the costume category
Select the costume Click ok

• You can also change the appearance of the Sprite by

paint new costume, upload costume from file, new costume from
camera ( available in costume options)
Deleting a Costume
Costume block Select the costume to be deleted
Right click on the mouse Select Delete option