Improving a game

Computing

Introducing variables

Updating and changing values in a variable

Design a game that uses variables

Design to code

Improving and sharing

This unit explores the concept of variables in programming through the development of games. Pupils will investigate what variables are and relate them to real-world examples of values that can be set and changed. Then they use variables to create a simulation of a scoreboard.

Using variables in programming to develop a game

running a set of commands only if a condition is met

What is the operator used in programming to compare two values and check if the initial value is less than the following one?

to set a variable or trigger an action when something happens

What is the main job of an event in a program?

checking whether the score is greater than 10

increasing the score when a coin is collected

running code only when the score is high enough

Match each example to the correct keyword:

the program uses an operator to compare the variable to a target value

if the condition is met, a set of commands is run

if the condition is not met, nothing happens or a different action runs

Put these actions in order for using selection with a variable in a game:

the location of the block affects when the score changes

the score only changes if the code tells it to

events can be used to set or change the score

the "change score by" block always works, no matter where it is in the code

Which statement about changing a score variable is wrong?

What is the name for a space in memory that stores a single value in a program?

What does it mean to "set" a variable in a program?

What can the value of a variable do when a program runs?

decide what information you want to store

Put these steps in order for using a variable in a game:

Improving a game

Lesson outcome