An Introduction to Programming Using Alice Boolean Logic

An Introduction to Programming Using Alice George Boole In1854, George Boole published “An investigation into the Laws of Thought, on which are founded the Mathematical Theories of Logic and Probabilities.” Boole outlined a system of logic and a corresponding algebraic language dealing with true and false values. 100 th Anniversary Edition

An Introduction to Programming Using Alice Boolean Logic Boolean logic is a form of mathematics in which the only values used are true and false. Boolean logic is the basis of all modern computing. There are three basic operations in Boolean logic – AND, OR, and NOT. 100 th Anniversary Edition

An Introduction to Programming Using Alice The AND Operation The AND operation is a binary operation, meaning that it needs two operands. c = a AND b Both a and b must be true for the result to be true. AND b TF a TTF FFF

An Introduction to Programming Using Alice The OR Operation The OR operation is also a binary operation with two operands. c = a OR b If either a OR b is true, then the result is true. OR b TF a TTT FTF

An Introduction to Programming Using Alice The NOT Operation The NOT operation is a unary operation with only one operand. c = NOT (a) It simply reverses the true or false value of the operand. NOT a TF FT

An Introduction to Programming Using Alice Logical Conditions Logical comparisons that are either true or false are most often used as the basis for the true and false values in Boolean logic. They are often used for simple conditions in branching and looping instructions. If (hours > 40) pay overtime If (age < 12) stay in the back seat While (count  10) print count increment count

An Introduction to Programming Using Alice Logical Comparison Operators ConditionIn MathIn Programming A equals BA = BA = B or A == B A is not equal to B A  B A<> B or A != B A is less than BA < B A is greater than BA > B A is less than or equal to B A  B A <= B A is greater than or equal to B A  B A >= B Six different comparison operators are used in mathematics and computer programming.

An Introduction to Programming Using Alice Compound Conditions Compound Boolean conditions can be created using the Boolean AND, OR and NOT operations in branching and looping instructions. If ( (hours > 40) AND (type = hourly) ) pay overtime If ( (age < 12) OR (height < 42 in.) ) stay in the back seat While ( (count <= 10) AND NOT (status = away) ) print name.count increment count

An Introduction to Programming with Alice Boolean Logic in Alice

Boolean Functions Functions in Alice that return true or false values are called Boolean functions. Alice has many such built-in functions, such as these two groups of basic Boolean logic functions and comparison functions.

They can be found on the world’s functions tab

They are used inside branching and looping instruction tiles

Boolean Functions The Boolean comparison functions can be used to create simple true or false conditions.

Boolean Functions The Boolean logic functions can be used to create compound conditions.

Boolean Functions Alice has many other world-level and object- level fuctions that return true or false values, such as the Boolean proximity functions shown here on aliceLiddel’s functions tab in the details area.

Boolean Functions They can be used anywhere that a Boolean value is needed, such as in this If/Else command.