Glossary

A

Abstraction

Removing the specifics that are not relevant in a given context.

Lessons: Customization

Argument

Any area in a block that accepts user input, or another block. It could be a Boolean Block or a value placed inside of a variable or block. The value that is "passed into" a parameter of a custom block.

Lessons: Customization

B

Backgrounds

Pictures that fill the entire stage area.

Block

Puzzle-piece shapes that are used to create code in snap!

References: Blocks | Lessons: Getting Started with Snap!

Boolean Expression

A value (text, number, picture, etc.) that evaluate to true or false.

Lessons: Loops

Boolean Operators

Boolean expressions that can be nested.

Lessons: Loops

C

Command Block

Puzzle-piece shaped block that executes a command (it causes an effect).

Lessons: Customization

Cloning

A feature that allows a sprite to create a clone, or semi-duplicate, of itself, while the project is running. Clones of a sprite will be the same as the original or parent sprite but as a separate instance. Clones inherit the parent's scripts, costumes, sounds, and properties, yet they can then be modified.

Lessons: Cloning

Conditional

A block used to make a choice between executing two different chunks of code."If" statements.

Lessons: Loops

Contains Block

Checks an operator block for a particular variable.

Lessons: Lists

Costume

A costume is one out of possibly many "frames" or alternate appearances of a sprite.

Lessons: Getting Started with Snap!

Custom Blocks

Allow for one to make their own programming blocks.

Lessons: Customization

D

Detail Removal

Reducing the complexity of an algorithm or process by focusing on the important parts.

Lessons: Customization

E

No E entries

F

Functions/Methods

Other programming languages, like Python or Java, use these terms to refer to the same idea as a Custom Block in Snap! a reusable.

Lessons: Loops

G

Generalization

Combining a group of related concepts or processes into a single category.

Lessons: Customization

Global Variable

A variable that can be used by all of your sprites.

Lessons: Cloning

H

No H entries

I

Index Variable

Keeps track of where you currently are in a list.

Lessons: Lists

J

Join Block

Links two values together and reports the result.

Lessons: Lists

Jukebox

A collection of sounds that can be applied to a sprite costume.

K

No K entries

L

Lists Block

A block which controls a list. Lessons: Lists

List Element

A part of a list.

Lessons: Lists

Loop

A type of block that causes other code to run multiple times in succession. A control flow statement that allows code to be executed repeatedly based on a given Boolean condition.

Lessons: Loops

M

Modeling

Building a system to simulate the behavior of a real-life phenomenon by simplifying or ignoring certain details.

Lessons: Loops

N

Nested Loop

A loop used inside the body of another loop.

Lessons: Loops

O

Operator Block

A block that performs math functions and string handling.

Lessons: Lists

P

Predicate Block

A hexagonal block that always returns a Boolean value (true or false).

Procedural Decomposition

Breaking a problem down into smaller subtasks, usually to increase readability and/or maintainability, often by applying one of the above concepts.

Lessons: Customization

Programming List

Called an 'array' in most programming languages, this holds lots of values.

Lessons: Lists

Q

No Q entries

R

Receive Block

Code Block in Control that receives a message from another block.

Lessons: Getting Started with Snap!

Reporter Block

Report a value, usually for use in another block's input slot.

Lessons: Customization

S

Say Block

The block gives its sprite a speech bubble with the specified text — the speech bubble stays until an another speech or thought block is activated, or the stop sign is pressed.

Lessons: Customization

Scenario

A description of a set of interactions and/or tasks that describe a start-to-finish example of how a user might want to use the application

Lessons: Final Project

Snap!

Snap! is an extended reimplementation of Scratch that allows you to Build Your Own Blocks. It also features ﬁrst class lists, ﬁrst class procedures, first class sprites, first class costumes, first class sounds, and first class continuations. These added capabilities make it suitable for a serious introduction to computer science for high school or college students.

Related Snap How-to's

Scripts

Different types of blocks linked together

References: Blocks |Lessons: Getting Started with Snap!

Sequential Search Algorithm

A method for finding a target value within a list. It sequentially checks each element of the list for the target value until a match is found or until all the elements have been searched.

Lessons: Lists

Sprites

An object in Snap! Which performs functions controlled by scripts.

Lessons: Getting Started with Snap!

Stage

The background of a project, performs functions through scripting.

Lessons: Getting Started with Snap!

Super-sprite

A sprite that is composed of pieces that can move together but can also be separately articulated.

T

Transform

Create a new list based on the values of the old list.

Lessons: Lists

Traverse

Go through or travel across an item/list.

Lessons: Lists

Truth Tables

A tool for evaluating the possible inputs and outputs of a Boolean expression.

Lessons: Loops

U

No U entries

V

Variable

A placeholder for some value. Types of variables: Global variables - apply to all sprites Sprite variable - applies to one sprite Script variable - parameter that applies to one script