ComputingData

You should not have to pay for updates... especially if there is a bug in the version your using that stops it working properly and they've manages to 'fix' it in the latest version. The very least they could do is produce a patch for the old version to get it working. <-- Unauthorised Advertising! -->

I was planning to add some kind of 'wizard', template or drag/drop system (for beginners) eventually - but I wanted to get the 'code' side of the system right first - this is the core of the system. I have spoken to a couple of teachers, they liked the idea of instead of trying to get new programs bought from the budget, they could simply (and easily) create similar programs themselves. The system would have to be easy to use and be masterable in a couple of minutes though - your right.

PILOT is a 'column' based language - it's extremely simple to write an interpreter for it. The semi-tokenizer took about 30 minutes to write, including mundane setup code. I've put an auto translator in the code to parse the various PILOT dialects and 'fix' them to my token format (including BYTE magazines infamous 256 byte SEMI-PILOT interpreter 'WADUZITDO' - btw I'm also calling the system Waduzitdo? [with the question mark!]) It takes no expertise to write a PILOT program. Anyone can do it, look up some examples on the net.

I haven't said that anyone would have to pay for this yet?

That was just an example, in the system you could set it so you see the turtle following a path, creating the star. The example shows that drawing a pentagon is very similar to drawing a star. With the extensions I was proposing you could also add bitmaps, etc and test the childs knowledge about the displayed image, etc... When you have created your interactive 'program' you will be able to bundle it into an executable, put it on a website or distribute it to parents to let them use on home computers, etc

Yes, thats why I think it's ideal for teachers! lol. Imagine a PILOT interpreter with a bit of a GUI for setting up graphics and music playback. It could make a very rapid system for creating small apps for childred to play and learn from.

huh? I've almost written the 'tokenizer' for the interpreter now. Don't forget, the actual PILOT language is not my own - see [ame=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PILOT]PILOT - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame] PILOT lasted over 30 years until higher level languages (imho more difficult for non-programmers to use) became popular. If you take a look at it then you will see it's almost perfect for writing CAI/L apps - there's no need for anything more complex, just a little bit of updating.

The teacher could write a program that shows the student a shape. Instead of having to draw (in an art program) the shape a pentagon and a star, they could write a program like this: R: is the start of a comment line, you can also use ; at the end of a line G:Goto -40,0 ; G is Graphics, then turtle, go to graph position -40,0 U:*Pentagon ; U means Use - call or 'gosub' a subroutine G:Goto 40,0 U:*Star W:10 ; W means Wait - wait 10 seconds E: ; E means end, or 'return' if at the end of a subroutine *Pentagon G:TurnTo -18 ; turtle, turn to -18 degrees (default 0 is up) G:5(Draw 20;Turn 72) ; turtle, draw 20 units (default=1 pixel), turn 72 degrees, repeat 5 times E: *Star G:TurnTo 19 G:5(Draw 31,Turn 144) E: As you can see, it's *very* basic and pretty easy to code. PILOT's main strength is in matching user input to strings. The main thing is that anyone will be able to write a program in a few minutes (like an interactive storybook) that could compete with the simple programs they normally have to buy. Because they will be able to generate a single file executable, they could give these programs to parents or teachers at other schools, or sell them if they like.

Hi david, I have experience with compilers, etc This was going to be an interpreter though, it doesn't need to be fast - just easy to use and friendly. I was going to make the system capable of generating PC x86 and x64 executables, then (in the 'distant' future) add the ability to generate Mac and Linux executables from within the PC version. Eventually having 4 versions capable of cross-creating executables for the other formats. The PILOT language will be in there, it's not the same as LOGO (I think LOGO was mainly aimed at the helping the children learn how to program) though - it's more for Teacher to create scripts of text and graphics and easy input matching. I didn't want it to look like GreenFoot or Scratch at all. There will be a GUI though to add and manipulate graphic images. I hoped turtle graphics 'module' (like the one in LOGO) will make it easy for the teacher to create 'pretty' geometric patterns that could be used to help in classwork?

Computer Aided Instruction or Learning. So teachers can easily create the interactive tuition programs they usually have to buy.

Hi Simon, I thought it was you. I've posted to you in another thread. Anyhow, you will be pleased to know that I have changed the method of protection - its much more user friendly than it was before. Are you going to BETT in January?

I'm thinking of creating some software to allow ICT (or other teachers) to create CAI or CAL programs easily. I was going to base the programming language on the very easy to learn PILOT language (it was used in education in the US for over 30 years). It will have turtle graphics, etc and should be very easy to learn. It will be able to create stand alone apps that will run on the PC. Does anyone have any ideas, comments or suggestions before I start?

lol! I took a look at it a while back. I don't know why they didn't just make it a standard install (with the admin rights request switched on) then a standard user program, keeping data in the user data area (or optionally on memory stick?). All pretty easy stuff. I also don't know why they used access as a database system, then they protect it with a password - what a waste of time! (Access uses XOR encryption for the password, with a standard 'key' - very easy to bypass/crack). The data also become slow and 'clunky' (is clunky a word?) - not ideal for a memory card. I don't mean to be biased, but when everyone using Report Assist is used to using Windows programs, why does it use such a non-standard user interface? I've been using computers for 30 years and I found it difficult to get to grips with. It must drive people crazy.

SimpleSi: Simon is that you? If your going to BETT 2009 then go to stand SW3 and I'll treat you to a brew! Anyhow - as I think you know, ApplePanic's ReportBuilder has been discontinued <--unauthorised advertising removed--> Anyhow see you at BETT (if you go!). -Anthony

Word can be a pain when editing 20+ documents at the same time - it slows down too much. To edit this many docs at the same time requires a program designed to write reports. Update: I've edited this post so not to be so 'spammy'. Sorry! -Anthony

Edited so not to be so 'spammy'. Sorry! -Anthony

Update: I've edited this post so not to be so 'spammy'. Sorry! -Anthony