Have you ever wondered how computers understand what we want them to do? One of the coolest things in computer science is learning how to create new commands and add our own words to a computer language. Most programming languages start with about a hundred commands, but the real magic happens when we create our own commands using these building blocks.
Think about learning a sport like basketball. You begin with the basics: dribbling, lay-ups, and rebounding. Once you get good at these, you can move on to more advanced techniques. You can combine these skills to perform plays like a pick and roll or a give and go. When everyone on the team knows the name of a play, they all know what to do.
In programming, we do something similar. We teach the computer to perform a series of actions and then give that series a name. This is called a function. Once we have a function, we can use it whenever we need it, just like calling a play in basketball.
Let’s see how this works with a fun example involving a bee. Imagine we have a function called “get 2 nectar.” This function is shown as a green block. To understand what “get 2 nectar” does, we look inside a grey box where the function is defined. Inside, we see that the bee collects nectar once, and then it collects nectar again. By checking the grey box, we can always know what the green function blocks will do.
Functions are super helpful because they let us repeat actions without having to write the same commands over and over. This makes our programs shorter and easier to understand. Plus, if we need to change something, we only have to change it in one place!
So, just like in basketball, where you learn plays and call them by name, in programming, you create functions and use them whenever you need to perform a specific task. It’s a fun and powerful way to make computers do what you want!
Gather in small groups and create a simple function using a series of actions. For example, create a “morning routine” function with steps like “brush teeth,” “eat breakfast,” and “pack bag.” Present your function to the class and explain how it simplifies your morning.
Use a grid on the floor to simulate a bee collecting nectar. Assign roles: one student is the bee, others are flowers with nectar. Create a function like “get 2 nectar” and have the bee follow the function to collect nectar from the flowers. Discuss how functions help in repeating tasks efficiently.
Write a short story where a character uses functions to solve a problem. For example, a chef might use a “make sandwich” function to quickly prepare lunch. Share your story with the class and highlight how functions made the task easier.
Draw a series of steps needed to complete a task, like drawing a house. Create a function by naming the series of steps, such as “draw house.” Swap drawings with a partner and try to execute their function. Discuss how naming functions helps in understanding complex tasks.
Create a dance routine using basic moves like “jump,” “spin,” and “clap.” Name your routine as a function, such as “happy dance.” Perform your function for the class and explain how using functions can simplify creating and remembering dance routines.
Here’s a sanitized version of the provided YouTube transcript:
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One of the most important concepts in computer science is defining new commands and adding your own words to a computer language. Most programming languages have around one hundred commands. The skill lies in creating your own words from these building blocks.
We see this in sports as well. For instance, in basketball, you start by learning basic skills like dribbling, lay-ups, and rebounding. Once you master these fundamentals, you can learn more advanced techniques and combine them, such as executing a pick and roll or a give and go. After learning a play and naming it, everyone on the team understands how to execute it.
In a similar way, once you teach a computer to perform an action using a sequence of commands, you can assign a name to that action for easy repetition. When you define your own command and give it a name, it’s referred to as a function.
Now, we will use functions to assist the bee. In this example, our function is called “get 2 nectar,” represented by this green block. We understand what “get 2 nectar” does by examining the grey box, which contains the function definition. Inside, we see that “get 2 nectar” retrieves nectar and then retrieves it again. Always check the contents of the grey box to understand what these green function blocks can accomplish.
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This version maintains the original meaning while ensuring clarity and professionalism.
Computers – Electronic devices that process information and perform tasks according to instructions. – Example sentence: Computers can help us find information quickly and play fun games.
Programming – The process of writing instructions for a computer to follow. – Example sentence: Programming allows us to create apps and games on the computer.
Functions – Blocks of code that perform specific tasks and can be reused in a program. – Example sentence: We use functions in programming to make our code easier to read and manage.
Commands – Instructions given to a computer to perform a specific action. – Example sentence: In coding, we use commands to tell the computer what to do next.
Actions – Operations performed by a computer as a result of a command or instruction. – Example sentence: Clicking a button on a website can trigger different actions like opening a new page.
Language – A system of communication used to write programs that computers can understand. – Example sentence: Python is a popular programming language for beginners.
Create – To make something new using imagination and skills, especially in coding. – Example sentence: We can create our own video games by learning how to code.
Learn – To gain knowledge or skills by studying or practicing. – Example sentence: We learn how to code by practicing with different programming exercises.
Skills – The abilities needed to perform tasks, especially in programming and technology. – Example sentence: Coding helps us develop problem-solving skills that are useful in many areas.
Tasks – Specific jobs or activities that need to be completed, often using a computer. – Example sentence: We use computers to complete tasks like writing reports and creating presentations.
