Text-Based Programming Tutorial

1. Introduction to Text-Based Interactive Programs

Text-based interactive programs are an excellent way for students to learn programming logic, practice input/output handling, and develop problem-solving skills without worrying about graphics or complex user interfaces. These programs run in the console or terminal, providing a simple yet powerful learning experience.

Diagram: How Text-Based Programs Interact with Users

Learn more about programming concepts at !Variables, Loops & Conditions

In this tutorial, students will learn step by step how to create text-based interactive programs. Key learning outcomes include:

Understand console input and output effectively
Use variables and data types correctly
Implement conditional statements and loops
Build menus and interactive prompts
Validate user input and handle errors

By the end of this section, students will clearly understand how text-based programs work and will be ready to write their first interactive console application.

  Welcome to your first text-based program!

2. Getting Started with Console Input/Output

This section teaches how to interact with users using console input/output. Students can practice advanced interactive logic in a browser-based editor.

Diagram: User Input and Console Output Flow

Interactive Code Editor:

// Advanced Interactive Logic Example
let output = "";

let name = prompt("Enter your name:");
if(!name) name = "Guest";
output += `Hello ${name}!\n`;

// Favorite number logic
let fav = Number(prompt("Enter your favorite number:"));
if(!isNaN(fav)){
    let evenOdd = fav % 2 === 0 ? "even" : "odd";
    output += `%cYour favorite number ${fav} is ${evenOdd}.\n`;
    output += `%cSquare: ${fav**2}\n`;
}

// Simple loop example
output += "%cNow let's print numbers 1 to 5:\n";
for(let i=1; i<=5; i++){
    output += `%c${i}\n`;
}

// Arithmetic quiz
let n1 = Number(prompt("Enter first number for quiz:"));
let n2 = Number(prompt("Enter second number:"));
if(!isNaN(n1) && !isNaN(n2)){
    output += `%cSum: ${n1+n2}\n`;
    output += `%cProduct: ${n1*n2}\n`;
    output += `%cDifference: ${n1-n2}\n`;
}

console.log(output);

Console output will appear here...

Students can now run advanced interactive programs with colored outputs, loops, arithmetic, and conditional logic directly in the browser.

3. Conditional Logic & Loops

Conditional statements and loops are the backbone of interactive programs. They allow programs to make decisions and repeat actions, making the program dynamic and responsive to user input.

Diagram: How Conditional Statements & Loops Work

Interactive Code Editor:

// Advanced Conditional Logic & Loops Example
let output = "";

// Multiple attempts game
let attempts = 0;
const maxAttempts = 5;
output += "Guess the secret number between 1 and 10:\n";

while(attempts < maxAttempts){
    let guess = Number(prompt("Enter your guess:"));
    if(isNaN(guess)){
        output += "%cInvalid input! Please enter a number.\n";
        continue;
    }
    attempts++;
    if(guess === 7){
        output += "%cCorrect! You guessed the secret number.\n";
        break;
    } else if(guess < 7){
        output += "%cToo low! Try a higher number.\n";
    } else {
        output += "%cToo high! Try a lower number.\n";
    }
}

if(attempts === maxAttempts){
    output += "%cGame Over! Maximum attempts reached.\n";
}

// Loop Example: Count down
output += "%cCountdown from 5:\n";
for(let i=5; i>0; i--){
    output += `%c${i}\n`;
}

// Switch Example: Menu
let choice = prompt("Choose an option (1-Check Even/Odd, 2-Greet, 3-Quit):");
switch(choice){
    case "1":
        let num = Number(prompt("Enter a number:"));
        output += `%c${num} is ${num%2===0?"Even":"Odd"}\n`;
        break;
    case "2":
        let name = prompt("Enter your name:");
        output += `%cHello ${name}! Welcome.\n`;
        break;
    default:
        output += "%cGoodbye!\n";
}
console.log(output);

Console output will appear here...

With mastery of conditional logic and loops, students can now create interactive games, menus, and responsive programs that react to user input in multiple ways.

4. Building Menus & Interactive Prompts

Menus and interactive prompts allow users to choose different options and navigate through a program efficiently. This is essential for creating text-based games, quizzes, or any multi-option programs.

Diagram: Menu & Prompt Interaction Flow

Learn more about programming concepts at !Variables, Loops & Conditions

Interactive Code Editor:

// Advanced Interactive Menu Example
let output = "";
let exitMenu = false;

while(!exitMenu){
    let choice = prompt(
        "Choose an option:\n1. Greet\n2. Show Date & Time\n3. Math Quiz\n4. Exit"
    );

switch(choice){
        case "1":
            let name = prompt("Enter your name:");
            output += `%cHello ${name || "Guest"}! Welcome to the interactive menu.\n`;
            break;
        case "2":
            let now = new Date();
            output += `%cCurrent Date & Time: ${now.toLocaleString()}\n`;
            break;
        case "3":
            let num1 = Number(prompt("Enter first number:"));
            let num2 = Number(prompt("Enter second number:"));
            if(!isNaN(num1) && !isNaN(num2)){
                output += `%cSum: ${num1+num2}, Product: ${num1*num2}, Difference: ${num1-num2}\n`;
            } else {
                output += "%cInvalid numbers entered for quiz!\n";
            }
            break;
        case "4":
            exitMenu = true;
            output += "%cExiting menu. Goodbye!\n";
            break;
        default:
            output += "%cInvalid choice! Please try again.\n";
    }
}
console.log(output);

Console output will appear here...

With mastery of menus and interactive prompts, students can design programs with multiple options, making them highly interactive, user-friendly, and engaging.

5. Combining Everything into a Text-Based Game

Now that you have learned about conditional logic, loops, menus, and interactive prompts, it's time to combine all these concepts to build a complete text-based game. Students will get a real experience of creating functional programs.

Diagram: Full Text-Based Game Flow

Interactive Code Editor:

// Advanced Text-Based Game Example
let output = "";
let score = 0;
let exitGame = false;

output += "%cWelcome to the Adventure Game!\n";

while(!exitGame){
    let choice = prompt(
        "Choose an option:\n1. Play Game\n2. View Score\n3. Exit"
    );

switch(choice){
        case "1":
            let randomNum = Math.floor(Math.random()*5) + 1;
            let guess = Number(prompt("Guess a number between 1 and 5:"));
            if(guess === randomNum){
                output += "%cCorrect! You earned 1 point.\n";
                score++;
            } else {
                output += `%cWrong! The number was ${randomNum}.\n`;
            }
            break;
        case "2":
            output += `%cYour current score is: ${score}\n`;
            break;
        case "3":
            exitGame = true;
            output += `%cThanks for playing! Your final score: ${score}\n`;
            break;
        default:
            output += "%cInvalid option! Please choose 1, 2, or 3.\n";
    }
}
console.log(output);

Console output will appear here...

By combining all learned concepts, students can now create functional, interactive, and engaging text-based games with score tracking and multiple options.

1. Introduction to Text-Based Interactive Programs

2. Getting Started with Console Input/Output

3. Conditional Logic & Loops

4. Building Menus & Interactive Prompts

5. Combining Everything into a Text-Based Game

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