SiMPLE For
Non-Programmers!

(Continued)

(SiMPLE currently works only under Windows)

You are now familiar with at least three of SiMPLE commands - "EDITOR", "OPEN", and "RUN". Let us now look at yet another one:

The "GO" Command

When you first install SiMPLE, you start out in the PLAYPEN project. (A "project" is nothing more than a folder for holding your programs.) But you don't have to remain in the PLAYPEN forever! You can create as many other projects as you want.

Suppose you would like to create a new project called NEWSTUFF. Simply type the command: 

                 go newstuff
The computer will then ask you to confirm that you want to create the new project. If you respond with 'Y', it will create the new project and then transfer you into it.

If you would like to leave the current project and start working in another (already existing) project named OLDSTUFF, simply type the command: 

                 go oldstuff
This will put you back into project "OLDSTUFF".

You might like to type the command: 
             go simple
which will transfer you to the SIMPLE project where we have pre-loaded several SiMPLE programs for you. After you are finished, you can return to project PLAYPEN by simply typing: 
             go playpen

If you can't remember the names of all your projects, you can use the GO command followed by a space and a question mark (GO  ?) to bring up a scroll box listing all of the SiMPLE projects that are available. You can then select a project by pressing the UP/DOWN arrow keys followed by the 'Enter' key. Pressing the 'Esc' key will cancel the scroll box.

If you issue the GO command with nothing specified, you will simply GO to the current project. (This is a handy way of refreshing the SiMPLE window.)


Other SiMPLE Commands

The following table summarizes some of the more useful SiMPLE commands:

Some Useful SiMPLE Commands 

  Command:  Parameter(s):                    Description:
  --------  -------------    ----------------------------------------------

  CLONE     name1   name2    Makes a copy of the program "name1" and names
                             that copy "name2".

  CLONE     .     name     Makes a copy of the current project and names
                             that copy "name".
_______________________________________________________________________________

  EDITOR    DOS              Specifies that the standard DOS editor is to be
                             used by the OPEN command.

  EDITOR    WIN              Specifies that the Windows "Notepad" editor is
                             to be used by the OPEN command.

                             The selected editor will always be the one used
                             by the OPEN command until explicitly changed by
                             issuing another EDITOR command.

                             [Note: On some computers the "Notepad" editor
                                    doesn't close its output file properly
                                    when used with SiMPLE.  (E.g., It will
                                    issue a "Save As" request when you are
                                    finished editing.)  If you experience
                                    such a problem, you may be limited to
                                    using only the DOS editor.]
_______________________________________________________________________________

  GO                         Transfers to the currently active project, and
                             displays (in a box at the top of the screen) the
                             names of all the programs in the project.

  GO        name             Transfers to project "name" and displays (in a
                             box at the top of the screen) the names of all
                             the programs in the project. (If the project
                             "name" does not exist, you will be asked if you
                             want to create a new project "name".)

  GO        ?                Displays a scroll box** listing all of the
                             project names.
_______________________________________________________________________________

  NAME      name1   name2    Changes the name of program "name1" to "name2".

  NAME      .      name     Changes the name of of the current project to
                             "name".
_______________________________________________________________________________

  OPEN                       Opens the currently active program for editing.*

  OPEN      name             Opens the specified program for editing.
                             (If the program doesn't exist, a new program
                             named "name" is created.)
_______________________________________________________________________________

  QUIT                       Terminates SiMPLE and returns to the Windows
                             desktop.
_______________________________________________________________________________

  RUN                        Runs the currently active program.*

  RUN       name             Runs the "name" program.
_______________________________________________________________________________

  UNZAP                      Restores (from the Trash Can) the last ZAPped
                             program.

  UNZAP     .               Restores (from the Trash Can) the last ZAPped
                             project.

  UNZAP     ?                Displays the contents of the Trash Can.
_______________________________________________________________________________

  ZAP       name             Deletes (sends to the Trash Can) the "name" 
                             program.

  ZAP       .               Deletes (sends to the Trash Can) the current
                             project.

  ZAP                        Deletes (sends to the Trash Can) the currently
                             active program.*

  ZAP       -                Empties the Trash Can.
_______________________________________________________________________________

   * The "currently active program" is the one with a little
     blue-green diamond displayed in front of its name.

  ** Scroll Box Controls:
      - Use the Up/Down arrow keys to scroll through the list.
      - Press the 'Enter' key to select.
      - Press the 'Esc' key to exit the scroll box.


Let's Modify the EXAMPLE Program!

One of the advantages of having a program's source listing is that you are free to make whatever changes you like to it! However to do so generally requires at least an elementary knowledge of computer programming. Nevertheless, let's try something... just for the heck of it.

Type the command: 

                 open example
This will bring up the source listing for EXAMPLE in the NOTEPAD editor. Look at the sixth line of the listing: 
                 color=3; ufocolor=8
Let's change the "3" to a "4": 
                 color=4; ufocolor=8
After you've made the change, once again click on the word "File" in the menu bar of the window, and then select "Exit". (Don't forget to select "Yes" when asked if you want to save your changes.) Then "RUN" the program again by typing: 
                 run
Notice that the game now uses a red rocket!

Try experimenting with other numbers besides "3" and "4" to see how they affect the color of the rocket. (And see if you can figure out how to change the color of the UFO too.)


Conclusion

This discussion has barely scratched the surface of the kinds of things you can do with SiMPLE. To find out more about SiMPLE programming, just read the built-in tutorials by typing: 

                 read tutorial
Then start having some real fun with SiMPLE, The Programming Language For Kids!Everyone!

Take Me To The SiMPLE Program Gallery



  [ Webmaster | FAQ's | Home Page | Contact Us ]