Have you ever noticed how we change what we do based on what’s happening around us? For example, if it’s sunny, you might wear sunglasses, but if it starts to rain, you’ll grab a raincoat. Computers can do something similar using conditionals, which help them make decisions based on different situations.
Conditionals are special instructions in computer programs that tell the computer to do something only if a certain condition is true. The simplest type of conditional is called an “if” statement. An “if” statement checks whether something is true or false and then decides what to do next.
Let’s imagine you’re creating a computer game. You have a character, called a sprite, that moves across the screen. You want the sprite to change its appearance when it reaches the middle of the screen. This is where conditionals come in handy!
First, you create your sprite and set up a background. As the sprite moves, you use a counter pattern to keep track of its position. Inside the game’s draw function, you add an “if” statement. This statement asks, “Is the sprite’s x position greater than 200?” If the answer is yes, the sprite changes its appearance. Finally, you draw the sprite on the screen and watch it in action.
Computers are very literal and will only do exactly what we tell them. By using conditionals, we can make our programs smarter and more interactive. This means they can change based on what’s happening or how a user interacts with them. It’s like giving the computer a set of rules to follow, so it knows what to do in different situations.
Did you know that conditionals are used in almost every computer program you use? From video games to apps on your phone, conditionals help make these programs more dynamic and responsive to your actions!
So, next time you use a computer program, think about how conditionals might be working behind the scenes to make everything run smoothly!
Explore your surroundings and find examples of conditionals in real life. For instance, if you see a traffic light, think about how it changes based on conditions like time or traffic flow. Write down at least three examples and explain the conditions involved.
Write a short story where the main character makes decisions based on different conditions. Use “if” statements to decide what the character does next. Share your story with a classmate and discuss how conditionals changed the outcome.
Use a simple programming tool like Scratch to create a game where a character changes its appearance or actions based on certain conditions. For example, if the character touches a certain color, it could change direction or say something. Present your game to the class.
Create a piece of art that changes based on conditions. For example, draw a scene that changes from day to night. Use conditionals to decide when to add elements like stars or the moon. Explain your artwork to the class and the conditions you used.
In groups, create a role-play scenario where each member acts based on specific conditions. For example, if someone says a certain word, another person must respond with a specific action. Perform your role play for the class and discuss how conditionals made it interesting.
The world around us is constantly changing, and we do our best to adapt to different conditions. For example, if it’s sunny outside, wearing sunglasses is a good choice, but if it’s raining, you’ll need to put on a raincoat. Just like humans, computer programs also change depending on different conditions. To make our programs responsive, we use conditional statements.
Conditional statements are commands that run a specific block of code only if a certain condition is met. The simplest conditional is an “if” statement. An “if” statement uses a boolean expression to ask a true or false question and then runs the code inside if the boolean evaluates to true.
Let’s look at an example of conditionals in action. First, we’ll create a sprite. Then, we’ll use the draw function to create the background and move the sprite across the screen using a counter pattern. We’ll add an “if” statement inside the draw function. Inside the conditional, we’ll include a boolean expression that asks, “Is the sprite’s x position greater than 200?” In this case, let’s change the appearance of the sprite if it moves past the middle of the screen. Finally, we’ll draw our sprite and see what happens.
Computers only do exactly what we tell them to do, but with conditionals, we can have our programs adapt to changes and respond to user input.
Conditionals – Statements in programming that only run when certain conditions are true. – In our game, the character jumps only if the conditional statement checks that the spacebar is pressed.
Computer – An electronic device that processes data and performs tasks according to a set of instructions. – We used the computer to write a program that can solve math problems.
Sprite – A graphic or image that can be moved or manipulated in a computer program, often used in games. – I created a sprite of a cat that can walk and jump in my video game.
Statement – A single line of code that performs a specific action in a program. – The statement “print(‘Hello, World!’)” displays a message on the screen.
Position – The location of an object or element in a program, often defined by coordinates. – We changed the position of the sprite to make it appear at the top of the screen.
Appearance – The way something looks in a program, which can be changed using code. – By changing the appearance of the button, we made it more colorful and noticeable.
Program – A set of instructions that a computer follows to perform a task. – We wrote a program that can calculate the total score of a quiz.
Interactive – Allowing users to engage with a program or application by responding to their actions. – The interactive story lets you choose what happens next by clicking on different options.
Rules – Guidelines or instructions that define how a program or game operates. – The rules of the game state that you must collect all the coins to win.
Dynamic – Something that changes or can be changed while a program is running. – The dynamic background in the game changes colors as you play.
