Small Basic Challenges of the Month - October 2014

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Special thanks to LitDev, as always, for hosting these challenges for us!

These challenges are intended for people who are learning to program for the first time or for those returning to programming who want to start using Small Basic. Some will be easy, some will be hard - but they will all make you think, and more importantly be GREAT FUN!

Please post your solutions / partial solutions / questions / feedback etc. into this thread that will remain 'sticky' for the month. The only rule is that your solution must use standard Small Basic methods (no extensions).

It would be good if people could post their problems with these challenges so that a discussion can start so that everyone can learn from each other.

Also post feedback on the kind of challenges that you want to see more of in the future.

Number Challenge

Write a program to convert between Roman Numerals and numbers.

Game Challenge

Write a 'moon lander' type program.

Graphical Challenge 1

Make an animated growing tree.

From seed to seedling to sapling to tree with branches.

Tip: Perhaps consider using zoom and opacity with the animation.

Graphical Challenge 2

Make a color wheel or color cube.

You may need to use GetPixel, SetPixel and GetColorFromRGB methods in the GraphicsWindow object.

Can you find a faster way (not using extensions of course).

 

Use this with the 'Introducing Small Basic' paint program that comes with the installation (copied below) to select brush colours.

GraphicsWindow``.`` MouseMove `` = ``OnMouseMove

GraphicsWindow``.`` MouseDown `` = ``OnMouseDown

Sub ``OnMouseDown

  prevX = ``GraphicsWindow``.``MouseX

  prevY = ``GraphicsWindow``.``MouseY

EndSub

Sub ``OnMouseMove

  x = ``GraphicsWindow``.``MouseX

  y = ``GraphicsWindow``.``MouseY

  If ``(``Mouse``.``IsLeftButtonDown`` ) ``Then

    GraphicsWindow``.``DrawLine``(``prevX`` , ``prevY`` , x`` , ``y``)

  EndIf

  prevX = ``x

  prevY = ``y

EndSub

 

Community Suggestion (By Nonki)

  1. Make a TODO list management program
  2. Draw (or fill) a pentagon
  3. Make a Sunrise Animation

 

Do you have an idea for a future challenge? Please post it here!

 

We look forward to discussing your solutions! Remember to post your solutions in this forum thread: https://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/64c300a5-334b-450a-bdbd-fb368d8cb2ba/challenge-of-the-month-october-2014?forum=smallbasic

   - Ninja Ed