Adding events

A big part of JAKE (Java Karel with Events) is that it adds an understandable event model to the Karel mini-paradigm. We know that there are problems with Java's event model [1], and that's part of what JAKE is meant to address. The idea is that the programmer, once they've set up their world, creates event buttons, methods of the control panel.

Adding an event is done with the "Add..." button. This adds a new button to the control panel.

Setting up "situations"

Karel programs are built on "situations". Similarly, Greenfoot programs use pre-built scenarios. So JAKE programs, also, use Pattis's situation model.

It's alive!

The robot has a name: Jake. Jake stands for "Java Karel with Events". Jake is based on Karel the robot, with an objects-first approach and some new button-based event interfaces.

Today the first prototype is complete: Jake can move, turn and bump into walls. He's programmable in Java using the "jaketherobot" package. There are world, robot, beeper and wall classes.

So far Jake only exists as a collection of classes. The JAKE IDE is planned for development within the next couple of months.

Intro

Since I'm starting this blog at the same time as working on my honours research, I thought I'd post a little summary. Right now I'm working on objects-first programming education, particularly with Karel the Robot and other virtual worlds. Objects-first programming is all about teaching object-oriented programming from the start, rather than the "traditional" model of introducing objects on top of procedural programming.

Over the next few months, I'll be developing a prototype tool for teaching programming with virtual robots, hopefully bridging the gap between "pure" robot worlds and standard applications programming.