Creative Project Revised 3/02

Creative Project Examples

Creative Project Examples Fantasy Baseball Helper Program Phone Directory Simple HTML Editor Slot Machine Role Playing Character Generator A Simple Alphabetical Code Program A Simple Paint Program A Simple Training Program Simple Game (Yahtzee or simpler) Formula Grapher for one or two formulas A modification of a program written in original Basic or another language A program useful for your major or a class Simple Employee Database A Quiz with results

You need a total of 12 pts. You may do several projects to add up to the total. Just make sure we know there is more than one project.

Use an Original Disk There may be NO extraneous files in that directory.. TEST YOUR PROGRAM IN CLASS. Not testing on a different machine to test your work is unprofessional and unacceptable. Not testing is not an excuse. So FTP your project down to a second machine. Otherwise, we may not be able to contact you to correct any errors.

Requirements Commented with your name, date & class and instructor name. (-1 to -10 pts) Well commented. Each routine is explained. (-1 to –3 pt) Alt and Shortcut Keys Used (-1 pt) Good coding style, alignment, and spacing (-1 pt) Professional Style Forms

Grading 12 pts needed. Each worth a point*: Each Function Each Non-event Subroutines Each Modules/Forms Global Var. (max 1pt) Advanced Features Animation (max 2 pts) Toolbars (max 1 pt) Database interaction Other file interaction Printing (max 1 pt) Complex Mouse interaction Common Dialog Box Full Menus (max 1 pt) Events are 0 pts, but may have additional Subroutines, Functions, etc. *Provided they are not just “fluff”

We may discuss your projects in class to have the class group-problem-solve. You may work together in a constructive manner. Please don’t actually DO any part of someone elses program.

Due: By the beginning of the time scheduled for the final. -2 pt if turned in at end of time scheduled for final.

Designing your program

The Programming Process Decide what your application is to do by creating an overall design. Create the visual portion of your application (the screens and menus that your users will interact with). Add Visual Basic programming language code to tie the visual elements together and to automate the program. Test your application to locate and remove any bugs you find. Compile your tested application and distribute the compiled application to your users.

Design the forms In EVENT-DRIVEN programming every procedure is a direct or indirect result of an event. Account for the form control driven events. That event may range from the program loading to a button being clicked. Not all procedures are direct results of an event. Some may be called by different event procedures or other procedures at different times.

First Rule of Programming: Divide and Conquer. Break up your program into subroutines and procedures Bite size pieces – mini programs.

Pseudocode Pseudocode is just what it means: false code. Pseudocode is a somewhat verbal and somewhat coded representation of the tasks your program is engaging in. Write comments for all of your routines before you write them explaining the task of the procedure.

Algorithms Algorithm: A step-by-step problem-solving procedure, especially an established, recursive computational procedure for solving a problem in a finite number of steps. You have to know how to do something or you can’t tell someone else how – and you can’t tell a computer how.

Creative Project Summary Choose an interesting project Plan it out before coding Use pseudocode. Use comments