Computer Science 15-111 (Sections A & B), Spring 2007

Homework #6:  Bonus [ Up to 10 points]

  Due:  At hw6 deadline (see note)

Note:  This is BONUS.  It is entirely OPTIONAL.  You do not even have to read this document if you do not wish to do so.

 

Note:  These are due at the hw6 deadline, except:  if you have made substantial progress (that you can demonstrate to your CA or instructor) on #3, but it is not quite ready for submission, then you may continue working just on that portion until the hw7 deadline (although there may be another interesting bonus opportunity for you to work on then…).

 

1.      Flags of the World   [up to 3 pts]
Make a Java program, Flags.java, that draws various flags of the world as noted below.  Each flag should be drawn to fill the window as much as possible while maintaining the correct rectangular proportions, with the country name painted below it, and with two buttons below that – “Next Flag” and “Previous Flag”.  Your flags should resize properly when the window is resized by the user.  Your program should also be written according to our Style Guide.  In particular, you should use top-down programming and reuse methods as much as possible to simplify the problem.  Also, you must use loops where appropriate (say, in finding the endpoints of a 5-pointed star).  For full credit, you should reproduce the flag as accurately as practicable (they do not have to be “pixel perfect”, but they should be close – so, for instance, replacing stars with circular blobs will not suffice for more than ˝ credit for that flag).  To do this, you will need to use a few Graphics, or even 2DGraphics, methods that we have not covered in class (such as drawRect, fillPolygon, and others).  You should be resourceful in learning about these methods (via the online Java API) and in finding examples or tutorials, if necessary, to learn how to use them.

Note:  You may not use any images (jpeg’s, gif’s, etc).  You must do all the painting yourself in your custom component’s paintComponent (or any methods it calls).

Note:  For a larger version of these flags, and to see other interesting flags, go to the CIA World Factbook’s Flags of the World web site, or follow the links below.

Note:  These flags were chosen strictly for their graphical qualities, with no regard to the countries they represent.

a.      [1 pt]:  Include the following countries:

                                                   i.      Flag of Algeria Algeria

                                                 ii.      Flag of Grenada Grenada
Note:  you can take some liberties with approximating the yellow “nutmeg pod” in the left-hand green triangular field.

b.      [1 pt]:  Include the following countries:

                                                   i.      Flag of Antigua and Barbuda Antigua and Barbados


                                                 ii.      Flag of Cook Islands Cook Islands

c.      [1 pt]:  Include the following countries:

                                                   i.      Flag of Gibraltar Gibraltar

2.      Bonus Lecture:  How To Write a (Very Simple) Text Adventure   [1 pt]
Attend the entirely optional Bonus Lecture on “How to Write a (Very Simple) Text Adventure” on Mon 19-Feb-2007 from 5pm to 6pm in Wean Hall 5419-D.  You get 1 bonus point just for participating (but not if you arrive late or leave early, or otherwise do not actively participate).

If you would like to get an idea about what this means (seeing as few of you have probably spent much, if any, time using these once-revolutionary but now “quaint” games), give these a whirl (noting that they are way beyond anything we might accomplish in a week or two of bonus work in a 100-level course!).  Type “help” for some help.  Have fun with them!

a.      Zork (with downloads for Mac and PC and an online version).  This is one of the best examples of early text adventures.  It was wildly popular in its time.

b.      Scott Adams Adventures (not to be confused with Scott Adams of Dilbert fame), with a Java applet of Adventureland, and a site (freearcade.com) with a bunch of Scott Adams adventures (and, unfortunately, lots of annoying advertisements…).  These were my favorite early text adventures.  While they are simple by modern standards, you should be warned that they can be rather addictive.  J

3.      Text Adventure  [up to 6 pts]
Note:   You can only submit a text adventure if you attend the optional bonus lecture on “How To Write a Text Adventure”.
Write an original text adventure based on the approach described in the bonus lecture.  For full credit, while understanding that you can only do so much in the time allotted, you still must have a reasonably rich, clever, and original story line, with well-written room descriptions, a reasonably broad range of verbs and nouns, a somewhat functional help system, and at least a modicum of real user-testing (have your roommate play it for half an hour and provide some comments on the game).  Most of all:   have fun!!!