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Scratch Cookbook
Scratch Cookbook

Scratch Cookbook: If want to get your programming know-how off the starting blocks in a fun, involving way, then this guide to Scratch is perfect. In no time you'll be building your own interactive programs that include animations and sound.

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Scratch Cookbook

Chapter 1. Getting Started with Scratch

In this chapter, we will cover the following recipes:

  • Starting up Scratch

  • Deleting the default sprite

  • Adding a custom sprite

  • Adding a pre-made sprite

  • Changing the stage background

  • The Hello World project

Introduction


This chapter explains all you need to know to get started when working with Scratch. We'll be focusing on using the latest version of Scratch, Scratch 2.0. Scratch gives young programmers the flexibility to develop programs of all types, many of which will be explored throughout this book. This chapter is meant to get you used to working with the Scratch interface before we dive into the more challenging topics involved. Note that if you have worked with Scratch some time before, you may wish to move on to Chapter 2, Storytelling. If you are new to Scratch, or have been away for quite some time, this chapter is just the right place to get started! For more information on getting started, it might be helpful to visit the Scratch resources at http://scratch.mit.edu/help.

Starting up Scratch


This first recipe to follow, which will help you download and install Scratch to your computer. Follow along and you'll be using Scratch in no time.

Getting ready

Our first recipe is all about getting Scratch up and running. Scratch can easily be used on any computer. Simply visit http://scratch.mit.edu/help/faq/ to see the requirements for Scratch. If you've used Scratch 1.4 before, you'll recall that you had to install Scratch on your computer. The Scratch creators have made it even easier to use Scratch 2.0. Now you can run Scratch directly within your browser. All you need is a recent browser and Adobe Flash Player!

Note

Although Scratch can be installed on Mac, Windows, and Linux, in this book all of the instructions will be tailored to using a Windows-based system with Scratch 2.0. The commands should be the same, just keep this in mind if you are using a different system.

How to do it…

To use Scratch 2.0, simply click on the Create link on the Scratch home page. If you want to use Scratch 1.4, follow these steps. The installer will create a link on your desktop for you as well as a Start menu shortcut. Follow these steps to download and install Scratch:

  1. Open your browser, and then visit http://scratch.mit.edu/scratch_1.4/ to download the version of Scratch you need.

  2. Click on the link to the appropriate version based on your operating system, as shown in the following screenshot:

  3. Depending on your Internet connection speed, it may take a couple of minutes for Scratch to download.

  4. Click on Yes on any prompts that come up confirming you want to open the file.

  5. The Scratch installer will open. Click on Next > to begin the install process.

  6. Next you'll be prompted to choose an install location. The default location will serve most people just fine.

  7. Click on Next >.

  8. Scratch will give you the option to choose a Start menu folder location. It will default to creating a new folder called Scratch. You may change this if you wish.

  9. Click on Install.

  10. Scratch will install, and then give you the following screenshot when finished:

  11. Click on Next >.

  12. The final screen will give you the Start Scratch and Make a shortcut to Scratch on the desktop options.

  13. Click on Finish and then you'll be ready to go!

How it works…

Once you're inside Scratch, play around with the interface. Scratch is broken up into three main areas that you'll be working in. These are called the Block Palette, Script Area, and Stage. These three areas are labeled in the following screenshot:

In Scratch 2.0, you'll see these areas in the following manner:

So, what are these three areas all about? How do I use them to build programs?

Each of these areas helps in a different way to build your program. The Block Palette is your library of commands, which you can add to your program. To build programs, all you need to do is drag and-drop these to your Script Area. Notice that there are eight categories of blocks. Each of these is color coded and does something different. We will explore more and more of these with each program we create!

The script area is vital to each individual program. A sprite is an object in Scratch we will program (usually characters). The default is the cat seen in the preceding screenshot. Each sprite as well as the background have their own Script Area, where you can drag blocks from the Block Palette. With more complicated programs, you need to drag more and more of these blocks to the Script Area.

A few examples of sprites you might use in your program are:

  • Characters for a story or game

  • Buttons to control things in your program

  • Things you want to display on the stage, maybe digits for numbers that need to have background programming

The last area of the Scratch interface is probably your favorite: the Stage. Here is where everything you've programmed comes together, and then you can see it in action. Just below the Stage is the collection of all the sprites you've added to your program, this is how you select those individual script areas we mentioned before. Once we get past our first program, most of the magic will happen after you click on the green flag up in the right-hand corner of the stage. You can also stop everything by clicking on the little red button next to the green flag.

See also

Now that you have a basic understanding of the interface of Scratch, we can move on to customizing some of the fun things we'll be programming. Our next recipe, Deleting the default sprite features importing, adding, and changing sprites. See the rest of the recipes in this chapter as well for further basic information you'll need to program with Scratch.

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Key benefits

  • Get started using Scratch, or take your programs to a new level using simple, easy-to-read recipes
  • Learn techniques for animating stories
  • Create fun and engaging games

Description

Scratch 2.0 is an easy to use programming language that allows you to animate stories and create interactive games. Scratch also gives you the capability of using programming to calculate complicated calculations for you. Scratch Cookbook will lead you through easy-to-follow recipes that give you everything you need to become a more advanced programmer. Scratch Cookbook will take you through the essential features of Scratch. You'll then work through simple recipes to gain an understanding of the more advanced features of Scratch. You will learn how to create animations using Scratch. Sensory board integration (getting input from the outside environment) will also be covered, along with using Scratch to solve complicated and tedious calculations for you. You'll also learn how to work through the exciting process of project remixing where you build on the work of others. Scratch Cookbook will give you everything you need to get started with building your own programs in Scratch that involve sounds, animations, and user interaction.

Who is this book for?

Scratch Cookbook is great for people who are still relatively new to programming but wish to learn more. It assumes you know the basics of computer operation. The methods of using Scratch are worked through quickly with a focus on more advanced topics, though readers can move at their own pace to learn all the techniques they need.

What you will learn

  • Navigate smoothly through the Scratch 2.0 interface
  • Animate a story or visual
  • Build a basic one player game
  • Learn about adding graphic effects and working with variables
  • Develop multi-level games and integrate sensor (Pico) boards
  • Perform advanced calculations

Product Details

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Publication date, Length, Edition, Language, ISBN-13
Publication date : Jul 24, 2013
Length: 262 pages
Edition : 1st
Language : English
ISBN-13 : 9781849518437
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Product Details

Publication date : Jul 24, 2013
Length: 262 pages
Edition : 1st
Language : English
ISBN-13 : 9781849518437
Languages :
Concepts :

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Scratch 2.0 Beginner's Guide: Second Edition
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Scratch Cookbook
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Total 11,470.97 Stars icon

Table of Contents

9 Chapters
Getting Started with Scratch Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Storytelling Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Adding Animation Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Basic Gaming Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Spicing up Games Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Bringing in Sound Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Integrating PicoBoards Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Programming to Calculate Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Project Remixing Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Customer reviews

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Rating distribution
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Half star icon 4.4
(8 Ratings)
5 star 62.5%
4 star 25%
3 star 0%
2 star 12.5%
1 star 0%
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SD Meijer Apr 13, 2014
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
This book (written by Brandon Milonovich) is divided in different recipes.Each recipe (=chapter) addresses a subject, like story telling, game design, sound.After reading chapter 1 (“Getting Started with Scratch”), you can skip chapters and jump right to a chapter which you’re interested in (without reading the rest).The book explains a lot about all the basics.Therefore it’s an excellent book for beginners.It’s also a must-read for parents, teachers and others who helps children with programming in Scratch.
Amazon Verified review Amazon
Mr. T Feb 20, 2014
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
The scratch cookbook not only covers the essentials of Scratch, it also provides you with some great recipes to help you get stuck further into Scratch and get more from it.Its a great book which will give its readers a good solid grounding when using or starting with Scratch. Highly recommended and one we will be recommending to our young coders in the future.
Amazon Verified review Amazon
Orbit Oct 20, 2013
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
In sampling this book, I realized the recipes are not for the kitchen, but for the computer!! And yet I was very impressed. I found the directions easy to understand and very appetizing, enough so that I not only ordered this book, but sent it along to my son for use with his young children. I know they'll all enjoy learning from such tasty tech treats. Good job and bon appetit.
Amazon Verified review Amazon
comp Sep 28, 2013
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
Well written book for those needing beginning or more advanced concepts in Scratch. Covers the digital storytelling and game design concepts.
Amazon Verified review Amazon
Julie Altmark Apr 07, 2015
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
I've used this book to help my 3rd - 5th grade gifted students learn programming in Scratch. It is clear, concise, and has examples to demonstrate strategies. It's useful for beginners - intermediate learners.
Amazon Verified review Amazon
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