Computer Programming Styles

Computer Programming Styles

This article discusses top-down programming and modular programming styles that I have known. Although top-down programming ans modular programming are the same, there are different styles of programming that achieve the same end.

Computer Programming: The Basics of a Well Designed Program

Computer Programming: The Basics of a Well Designed Program

This article discusses all the elements of a well designed program that I learned during my 20+ years as an embedded systems software engineer.

Programming with Microsoft Small Basic

Programming with Microsoft Small Basic

Small Basic: Craps Game Program With Comments

Click on photo to view it

'This is the starting point of the craps program
Main_Program:
Initialize_Craps()

Sub Initialize_Craps
  'Generate and size the graphics window
  GraphicsWindow.Show()
  GraphicsWindow.Height = 620
  GraphicsWindow.Width = 800
  GraphicsWindow.BackgroundColor = "Cyan"
GraphicsWindow.Title = "Craps Game"
'
'Draw the die outline for die 1
GraphicsWindow.DrawRectangle(100,100,180,180)
GraphicsWindow.BrushColor = "Yellow"
GraphicsWindow.FillRectangle(100,100,180,180)
'
'Draw the die outline for die 2
GraphicsWindow.DrawRectangle(500,100,180,180)
GraphicsWindow.BrushColor = "Yellow"
GraphicsWindow.FillRectangle(500,100,180,180)
'
'Initialize all variables for the graphics program
Initialize_Data()
'
'Draw nine  buttons in each die.
Draw_Buttons()
'Create text boxes and instructions
GraphicsWindow.BrushColor = "Black"

GraphicsWindow.DrawText(260,300,"Press the left mouse button to roll the dice")
'
GraphicsWindow.DrawText(280,340,"Press the right mouse button exit")
'
'The Instruction Box displays the messages
'New Game
'and
'Roll em again
InstructionBox = Controls.AddTextBox(340,50)
Controls.SetSize(InstructionBox,100,30)

GeneralMessageBox = Controls.AddTextBox(290,25)
Controls.SetSize(GeneralMessageBox,200,30)
Controls.SetTextBoxText(GeneralMessageBox,"   Let's Play A Game Of Craps")
GraphicsWindow.DrawText(20,400,"Rules of Craps Game")
GraphicsWindow.DrawText(20,430,"First Roll of Dice")
GraphicsWindow.DrawText(20,460,"7 or 11 wins")
GraphicsWindow.DrawText(20,490,"2, 3 or 12 loses")
GraphicsWindow.DrawText(20,520,"4, 5, 6, 7, 9 or 10 okay")
GraphicsWindow.DrawText(20,550,"Matching first roll wins")
GraphicsWindow.DrawText(20,580,"Rolling a 7 loses")
'
'The following instruction causes the execution of
'the subroutine RollTheDice every time a mouse button
'is pressed.
'
GraphicsWindow.MouseDown = RollTheDice
EndSub

'This sub is executed every time a mouse button is pressed
Sub RollTheDice
  'If the right mouse button is pressed, end the program
  If Mouse.IsRightButtonDown Then
    Program.End()
  EndIf
  'MouseEvent is used to prevent the program from responding to
  'the mouse button being pressed again before this sub is completely executed.
  If MouseEvent = 0 then
    MouseEvent = 1
    Controls.SetTextBoxText(InstructionBox," ")
    'Create two small die
  GraphicsWindow.BrushColor = "Yellow"
  MyDie1=Shapes.AddRectangle(50,50)
  Shapes.HideShape(MyDie1)
  Shapes.Move(MyDie1,340,170)
  Shapes.ShowShape(MyDie1)
  MyDie2=Shapes.AddRectangle(50,50)
  Shapes.HideShape(MyDie2)
  Shapes.Move(MyDie2,400,170)
  Shapes.ShowShape(MyDie2)
  talpha = 50
  ' this for loop rotates the dice
  For ndexa = 1 To 20
    Shapes.Rotate(MyDie1,talpha)
    Shapes.ShowShape(MyDie1)
    Program.Delay(30)
    talpha = talpha+10
    Shapes.Rotate(MyDie2,talpha)
    Shapes.ShowShape(MyDie2)
    Program.Delay(30)
    talpha = talpha+10
  EndFor
  'Fetch randon value for each die
   Die1_number = Math.GetRandomNumber(6)
   Die2_number = Math.GetRandomNumber(6)
   'Hide the dice
   Shapes.HideShape(MyDie1)
   Shapes.HideShape(MyDie2)
   GraphicsWindow.BrushColor = "Blue"
   'Display value on each die via coloring the appropriate buttons
   Display_Die_One()
   Display_Die_two()
   'Display results of first roll of dice
   InfoBoxes()
   MouseEvent = 0
 Endif
 EndSub
 '          Each die contains nine ellipses
 '          Here are the ellipse numbers
 '         In this program ellipses are also referred
 '         to as buttons
 '        
 '          1         4       7
 '          2        5       8
 '          3        6       9
 '
 Sub Display_Die_One
   'Ensure that the die only displays the results
   'of the current roll.
    Reset_Die1()
    '
    If Die1_number = 1 Then
      'sub call
      'ellipse number five is the center ellipse and
      'it's the only ellipse that is colored if the die1_number is
      'a one.
      el_num = 5 'Select the center ellipse
      ColorAnEllipse()
       '
    ElseIf Die1_number = 2 then
      'sub call
      'die number = 2
      'ellipse number 1 and ellipse number 9 are colored
            el_num = 1
            ColorAnEllipse()
            el_num = 9
            ColorAnEllipse()
         
            '
    Elseif Die1_number = 3 then
      'sub call
      'die number = 3
      'ellipse numbers 1, 5 and 9 are colored
            el_num = 1
            ColorAnEllipse()
            el_num = 5
            ColorAnEllipse()
            el_num = 9
            ColorAnEllipse()
      '
    Elseif Die1_number = 4 then
      'sub call
      'Ellipse number 1, 3, 7, and 9 are          
            el_num = 1
            ColorAnEllipse()
            el_num = 3
            ColorAnEllipse()
            el_num = 7
            ColorAnEllipse()
            el_num = 9
            ColorAnEllipse()
   

    Elseif die1_number = 5 then
  'Ellipse number 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 are colored
            el_num = 1
            ColorAnEllipse()
            el_num = 3
            ColorAnEllipse()
            el_num = 5
            ColorAnEllipse()
            el_num = 7
            ColorAnEllipse()
            el_num = 9
            ColorAnEllipse()    

      'subcall
    Elseif Die1_number = 6 then
      'subcall
      'Ellipse number 1, 2, 3, 7, 8 and 9 are colored
            el_num = 1
            ColorAnEllipse()
            el_num = 2
            ColorAnEllipse()
            el_num = 3
            ColorAnEllipse()
            el_num = 7
            ColorAnEllipse()
            el_num = 8
            ColorAnEllipse()
            el_num = 9
            ColorAnEllipse()
    EndIf
  EndSub
  '
  Sub Display_Die_Two
   'Ensure that the die only displays the results
   'of the current roll.
    Reset_Die2()
    '
    If Die2_number = 1 Then
      'sub call
      'ellipse number five is the center ellipse and
      'it's the only ellipse that is colored if the die2_number is
      'a one.
      el_num = 5 'Select the center ellipse
      ColorAnEllipse2()
       '
    ElseIf Die2_number = 2 then
      'sub call
      'die number = 2
      'ellipse number 1 and ellipse number 9 are colored
            el_num = 1
            ColorAnEllipse2()
            el_num = 9
            ColorAnEllipse2()
         
            '
    Elseif Die2_number = 3 then
      'sub call
      'die number = 3
      'ellipse numbers 1, 5 and 9 are colored
            el_num = 1
            ColorAnEllipse2()
            el_num = 5
            ColorAnEllipse2()
            el_num = 9
            ColorAnEllipse2()
      '
    Elseif Die2_number = 4 then
      'sub call
      'Ellipse number 1, 3, 7, and 9 are          
            el_num = 1
            ColorAnEllipse2()
            el_num = 3
            ColorAnEllipse2()
            el_num = 7
            ColorAnEllipse2()
            el_num = 9
            ColorAnEllipse2()
   

    Elseif die2_number = 5 then
  'Ellipse number 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 are colored
            el_num = 1
            ColorAnEllipse2()
            el_num = 3
            ColorAnEllipse2()
            el_num = 5
            ColorAnEllipse2()
            el_num = 7
            ColorAnEllipse2()
            el_num = 9
            ColorAnEllipse2()    

      'subcall
    Elseif Die2_number = 6 then
      'subcall
      'Ellipse number 1, 2, 3, 7, 8 and 9 are colored
            el_num = 1
            ColorAnEllipse2()
            el_num = 2
            ColorAnEllipse2()
            el_num = 3
            ColorAnEllipse2()
            el_num = 7
            ColorAnEllipse2()
            el_num = 8
            ColorAnEllipse2()
            el_num = 9
            ColorAnEllipse2()
          EndIf
  EndSub
  '
  Sub ColorAnEllipse
    'Color an ellipse on die 1
      GraphicsWindow.BrushColor = "Black"
      ButtonNumber[el_num] = Shapes.AddEllipse(10,10)
      'Hide the button
      Shapes.HideShape(ButtonNumber[el_num])
      'Move the button
      Shapes.Move(ButtonNumber[el_num],die1_btnpos_x[el_num],die1_btnpos_y[el_num])
      'Show the button
      Shapes.ShowShape(ButtonNumber[el_num])
    EndSub
 
    Sub ColorAnEllipse2
    'Color an ellipse on die 2
      GraphicsWindow.BrushColor = "Black"
      ButtonNumber[el_num] = Shapes.AddEllipse(10,10)
      'Hide the button
      Shapes.HideShape(ButtonNumber[el_num])
      'Move the button
      Shapes.Move(ButtonNumber[el_num],die2_btnpos_x[el_num],die2_btnpos_y[el_num])
      'Show the button
      Shapes.ShowShape(ButtonNumber[el_num])
    EndSub
 
 
  Sub Reset_Die1
            el_num = 1
            UncolorAnEllipse()
            el_num = 2
            UncolorAnEllipse()
            el_num = 3
            UncolorAnEllipse()
            el_num = 4
            UncolorAnEllipse()
            el_num = 5
            UncolorAnEllipse()
            el_num = 6
            UncolorAnEllipse()
            el_num = 7
            UncolorAnEllipse()
            el_num = 8
            UncolorAnEllipse()
            el_num = 9
            UncolorAnEllipse()
  EndSub
       
  Sub Reset_Die2
            el_num = 1
            UncolorAnEllipse2()
            el_num = 2
            UncolorAnEllipse2()
            el_num = 3
            UncolorAnEllipse2()
            el_num = 4
            UncolorAnEllipse2()
            el_num = 5
            UncolorAnEllipse2()
            el_num = 6
            UncolorAnEllipse2()
            el_num = 7
            UncolorAnEllipse2()
            el_num = 8
            UncolorAnEllipse2()
            el_num = 9
            UncolorAnEllipse2()
  EndSub

  Sub UncolorAnEllipse
      GraphicsWindow.BrushColor = "White"
      ButtonNumber[el_num] = Shapes.AddEllipse(10,10)
      'Hide the button
      Shapes.HideShape(ButtonNumber[el_num])
      'Move the button
      Shapes.Move(ButtonNumber[el_num],die1_btnpos_x[el_num],die1_btnpos_y[el_num])
      'Show the button
      Shapes.ShowShape(ButtonNumber[el_num])
 EndSub

   Sub UncolorAnEllipse2
      GraphicsWindow.BrushColor = "White"
      ButtonNumber[el_num] = Shapes.AddEllipse(10,10)
      'Hide the button
      Shapes.HideShape(ButtonNumber[el_num])
      'Move the button
      Shapes.Move(ButtonNumber[el_num],die2_btnpos_x[el_num],die2_btnpos_y[el_num])
      'Show the button
      Shapes.ShowShape(ButtonNumber[el_num])
    EndSub

 
   Sub Initialize_Data
'Initialize all variables used in the program
'
'Generate buttom positions on die 1
die1_btnpos_x[1] = 120
die1_btnpos_x[2] = 120
die1_btnpos_x[3] = 120
die1_btnpos_x[4] = 185
die1_btnpos_x[5] = 185
die1_btnpos_x[6] = 185
die1_btnpos_x[7] = 250
die1_btnpos_x[8] = 250
die1_btnpos_x[9] = 250
'
die1_btnpos_y[1] = 120
die1_btnpos_y[2] = 185
die1_btnpos_y[3] = 250
die1_btnpos_y[4] = 120
die1_btnpos_y[5] = 185
die1_btnpos_y[6] = 250
die1_btnpos_y[7] = 120
die1_btnpos_y[8] = 185
die1_btnpos_y[9] = 250
'
'Generate die 2 button positions
displacement = 400
For ndex = 1 to 9
die2_btnpos_x[ndex] = die1_btnpos_x[ndex] + displacement
die2_btnpos_y[ndex] = die1_btnpos_y[ndex]
EndFor

ButtonSize_x = 10
ButtonSize_y = 10

' This flag indicates the first roll of
'the dice in a game of craps
First_Dice_Roll = 1
First_Die1_Roll_no = 0
First_Die2_Roll_no = 0
' MouseEvent prevents a mouse down event from
'being serviced while a previous mouse down event
'is being serviced.
'Intialize MouseEvent to zero to indicate that
'no mouse event is being serviced
MouseEvent = 0
InitializeMsgData()
EndSub

Sub InitializeMsgData
  'Initializes the data for mytextbox1 and mytextbox2
  'which are used to display the results
  'of the first dice roll
yposText = 500
xposText1 = 250
xposText2 = 450
xposDie1 = 320
xposDie2 = 520
yposDie = 500
EndSub

Sub InfoBoxes
  'This sub displays the first roll of the dice
  If First_Dice_Roll = 1 Then
GraphicsWindow.DrawText(xposText1+100,yposText-30, "First Roll of Dice")
GraphicsWindow.DrawText(xposText1,yposText,"Die One ")
mytextbox1 = Controls.AddTextBox(xposDie1,yposDie)
Controls.SetSize(mytextbox1,40,20)
Controls.SetTextBoxText(mytextbox1,Die1_Number)
GraphicsWindow.DrawText(xposText2,yposText,"Die Two ")
mytextbox2 = Controls.AddTextBox(xposDie2,yposDie)
Controls.SetSize(mytextbox2,40,20)
Controls.SetTextBoxText(mytextbox2,Die2_Number)
First_Die1_Roll_no = Die1_number
First_Die2_Roll_no = Die2_number
Die1_number = 0
Die2_number = 0
First_Dice_Roll = 0
EndIf
'Controls.SetTextBoxText(mytextbox,myvalue) 'overwrites previous value
DetermineWinOrLoss()
EndSub

'
Sub Draw_Buttons
  '-------------------------------------------
'Software to draw nine buttons on die_1
' and nine buttons on die-2
'Left column Button one Top
'
'Create the buttons
For i = 1 to 9
GraphicsWindow.BrushColor = "White"
ButtonNumber[i] = Shapes.AddEllipse(10,10)
'Hide the button
Shapes.HideShape(ButtonNumber[i])
'Move the button
Shapes.Move(ButtonNumber[i],die1_btnpos_x[i],die1_btnpos_y[i])
'Show the button
Shapes.ShowShape(ButtonNumber[i])
GraphicsWindow.BrushColor = "White"
ButtonNumber[i] = Shapes.AddEllipse(10,10)
'Hide the button
Shapes.HideShape(ButtonNumber[i])
'Move the button
Shapes.Move(ButtonNumber[i],die2_btnpos_x[i],die2_btnpos_y[i])
'Show the button
Shapes.ShowShape(ButtonNumber[i])
EndFor
EndSub
'
Sub DetermineWinOrLoss
First_Dice_Total = First_Die1_Roll_no + First_Die2_Roll_no
  Current_Dice_Total = Die1_number + Die2_number
If First_Dice_Total = 7 Then
  YouWin()
ElseIf First_Dice_Total = 11 Then
  YouWin()
ElseIf First_Dice_Total = 2 Then
  YouLose()
ElseIf First_Dice_Total = 3 Then
  YouLose()
ElseIf First_Dice_Total = 12 Then
  YouLose()
ElseIf Current_Dice_Total = First_Dice_Total Then
  YouWin()
Elseif Current_Dice_Total = 7 then
  YouLose()
Else
Controls.SetTextBoxText(InstructionBox,"Roll 'em again!")
Endif
EndSub

Sub YouWin
  Controls.SetTextBoxText(InstructionBox," ")
  Sound.PlayChime()
  GraphicsWindow.ShowMessage("You Win!","Craps")
  Controls.SetTextBoxText(mytextbox1," ")
  Controls.SetTextBoxText(mytextbox2," ")
  First_Dice_Roll = 1
  First_Die1_Roll_no = 0
  First_Die2_Roll_no = 0
  Controls.SetTextBoxText(InstructionBox,"  New game!")
EndSub

Sub YouLose
  Controls.SetTextBoxText(InstructionBox," ")
  Sound.PlayBellRing()
  GraphicsWindow.ShowMessage("Dang it! You lose","Craps")
  Controls.SetTextBoxText(mytextbox1," ")
  Controls.SetTextBoxText(mytextbox2," ")
  First_Dice_Roll = 1
  First_Die1_Roll_no = 0
  First_Die2_Roll_no = 0
  Controls.SetTextBoxText(InstructionBox,"  New game!")
EndSub

A Free On-Line C/C++ Compiler

For those who like programming in C or C++, this is a site where you can register for free and use their compiler. You can also view tutorials and sample programs. This site also has a forum.

BotSkool: C and C++ Free On Line Compiler

Microsoft Small Basic: A Very Simple Slot Machine Program

Here is a simple slot machine program that uses text boxes to display the three numbers. It also uses the timer command. 

'Create a very simple slot machine game
GraphicsWindow.Show()
GraphicsWindow.Title = "A Very Simple Slot Machine Game"
'Add Text Boxes
TextBoxOne = Controls.AddTextBox(30,30)
TextBoxTwo = Controls.AddTextBox(30,70)
TextBoxThree = Controls.AddTextBox(30,110)
'Add Button for rolling them
RollButton= Controls.AddButton("Roll 'em",30,150)
'Display the word Blank in each text bos
Controls.SetTextBoxText(TextBoxOne,"Blank")
Controls.SetTextBoxText(TextBoxTwo,"Blank")
Controls.SetTextBoxText(TextBoxThree,"Blank")
'When Button is pressed, call RollEmSub
Controls.ButtonClicked = RollEmSub

Sub RollEmSub
  'Generate random number between 1 and 3 for each text box
  Controls.SetTextBoxText(TextBoxOne, Math.GetRandomNumber(3))
  Controls.SetTextBoxText(TextBoxTwo, Math.GetRandomNumber(3))
  Controls.SetTextBoxText(TextBoxThree, Math.GetRandomNumber(3))
  'Read each random number
  TextOne = Controls.GetTextBoxText(TextBoxOne)
  TextTwo = Controls.GetTextBoxText(TextBoxTwo)
  TextThree = Controls.GetTextBoxText(TextBoxThree)
  'Compare random numbers
  If TextOne = TextTwo Then
    If TextTwo = TextThree Then
      'Display You Win
      Controls.SetButtonCaption(RollButton,"You Win!")
      Controls.ButtonClicked = DoNothingSub
      'Set delay timer for 20 seconds
      Timer.Interval = 2000
      'When timer expires call EndDelaySub
      Timer.Tick = EndDelaySub
   EndIf
 EndIf
EndSub

Sub EndDelaySub
  Controls.SetButtonCaption(RollButton,"Game over!")
       'Set delay timer for 20 seconds
      Timer.Interval = 2000
      'When timer expires call EndProgramSub
      Timer.Tick = EndProgramSub
EndSub

Sub DoNothingSub
EndSub

Sub EndProgramSub
  Program.End()
EndSub

ISO C++ Standard 2011

A new ISO Standard for C++ was issued in 2011 and has been implemented in the latest C++ compilers.  I searched for an explanation of this standard after trying to compile a short C++ program that used
a structure containing a character string.

The compiler reported an error for both these statements:
char* mystring = "John";
string mystring = "John";
The error stated that ISO prohibited the initiation of a constant string.

There are still a lot of C++ books and a lot of C++ tutorials that implement this old style of initiating strings.  And this is fine for people working with old compilers. However people working with new compilers or free on-line compilers will experience difficulties with the two C++ statements above as well as in other C++ statements.

I found a C++11 on-line reference at

C++11 Reference

The ISO 2011 C++ Standard costs about $30.00 to download. So I searched further and found a ISO 2011 C++ FAQ for which I provide the link below:

C++11 - the new ISO C++ standard