VISUAL
PROGRAMMING
Visual programming is also known as block-based programming- It is a way of creating applications using graphical
components and figures. This is mostly done through the use of code blocks and drag-and-drop processes.
A visual programming application is a type of software development environment that allows users to create
programs by manipulating graphical elements rather than writing code in text form.
Types of visual programming
applications
1. Educational visual programming applications are software tools designed to teach programming
concepts in an intuitive and accessible way, often using graphical elements and block-based coding.
Examples:
• Scratch • Code.org
• Blockly • Tynker
2.Multimedia visual programming applications are tools that enable users to create interactive multimedia
projects, including audio, video, animations, and interactive installations, using visual programming interfaces.
Examples:
• MAX/MSP • TOUCHDESIGNER • ISADORA
• PURE DATA (PD) • VVVV • NODE-RED
3.Video games visual programming applications - Visual programming applications for video games
provide tools for creating games using graphical interfaces and block-based coding. These tools are designed to make
game development more accessible, particularly for beginners and those without extensive programming knowledge.
Example:
• UNREAL ENGINE • GAMEMAKER STUDIO 2 • GODOT ENGINE (VISUAL
(BLUEPRINTS) (DRAG-AND-DROP) SCRIPT)
• UNITY (BOLT VISUAL • CONSTRUCT 3
SCRIPTING) • STENCYL
Importance of visual programming applications to our lives
1. Easy and interesting to use
2. They help us to create animations, stories and videos that entertain us.
3. Makes learning fun and engaging.
Common visual programming
applications
The most common visual programming applications are:
Microsoft MakeCode
Scratch
Code.org
Sprite box
Microsoft Visual Studio
Roblox
Minecraft
Launching a visual programming application
Type the word Scratch in the search box. The Scratch application will appear. Click on the Scratch application to
launch it.
Alternatively, click Start.
Scroll down to category S then click on Scratch App. The application will launch.
Visual Programming Features
1. Input
Input refers to the ways users can interact with the program or the ways the program can receive data. Common input
methods include:
•Keyboard Input: Users can press keys to control sprites or trigger actions. For example, pressing the space bar might
make a character jump.
•Mouse Input: Users can click on sprites or move the mouse to interact with the program. For instance, a game might
involve clicking on objects to score points.
•Touch Input: On touch-enabled devices, users can tap or swipe to interact with the program.
•Sensor Input like tilt sensors in tablets to provide input.
2. Processing
Processing refers to how the instructions given to an application and performs computations or actions based on the
input. This involves the core logic of the program, including:
•Control Structures: Blocks that control the flow of the program, such as loops (forever, repeat, repeat until) and
conditionals (if, if-else).
•Data Handling: Using variables to store and manipulate data, and lists to handle collections of items.
•Events: Blocks that trigger actions in response to events (e.g., when green flag clicked, when sprite clicked, when I receive
[message]).
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3. Output
Output is what the user sees or hears as a result of the program’s execution. Output can be:
•Visual Output: Displaying sprites, changing costumes, showing text, and other graphical elements on the stage.
•Auditory Output: Playing sounds or music as feedback or as part of the program's experience.
•Feedback: Providing feedback to users based on their actions, such as displaying scores, messages, or changing the
appearance of sprites.
4. Effects
Effects enhance the user experience by making the program more interactive and engaging. These include:
•Sound Effects: Scratch has a variety of built-in sounds that can be played using the play sound [sound name] or start
sound [sound name] blocks. Users can also record their own sounds or upload external sound files.
•Animations: Creating animations in Scratch can be done by changing the costumes of sprites in sequence, using the next
costume block, or by moving sprites around the stage with motion blocks (move [steps], glide [time] to [x] [y]).
•Backgrounds: The stage can have different backgrounds that can change during the program. This can be done using the
switch backdrop to [backdrop name] block to enhance the storytelling or gaming experience.
TERMINOLOGIES USED IN VISUAL
PROGRAMMING
1.Syntax
In Scratch, syntax refers to the rules and structure for how the blocks can be combined.
It dictates how different blocks fit together to create valid scripts. Unlike text-based programming languages,
Scratch's visual blocks prevent many syntax errors by design.
2.Variables
In Scratch, variables are used to store data that can be changed and used later in the program. They can hold
numbers or text (strings).
Variables are created through the "Variables" section in the block palette, and they can be set, changed, and used
in various operations.
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3.Input Statements
They are constructs or blocks that allow the user to provide data or interact with the program.
Visual programming languages use graphical elements rather than textual code to represent these input
mechanisms.
In Scratch, input blocks like "ask [ ] and wait" allow the program to ask the user a question and wait for their input.
The user's response can be used in subsequent blocks.
4.Output Statements
Output statements in visual programming are constructs or blocks that allow the program to display data, send
information to another system, or produce results in a visual or physical form.
In Scratch, output blocks like "say [ ] for [ ] seconds" or "show variable [ ]" allow the program to display messages
to the user or show the value of variables on the screen.
5.Coding
Coding in visual programming involves creating software using graphical elements such as blocks or nodes, which
represent different programming constructs.
Scratch uses a block-based interface where users snap together blocks to create animations, games, and
interactive stories.
6.Coding Blocks
Coding blocks are graphical elements that represent various programming constructs.
Scratch uses a drag-and-drop interface where users assemble blocks to create animations, games, and interactive
stories. Blocks are colour-coded by category (e.g., motion, looks, sound).
7.Sequence Statement
A sequence statement refers to a series of instructions or blocks that are executed in a specific order, one after the
other.
In Scratch, a sequence is created by stacking blocks vertically. The program executes the blocks from top to bottom
in the order they are arranged.
8.Repeating Statement/ Loops
A repeating statement (loop) is a control structure that allows a set of instructions or blocks to be executed
multiple times.
Examples in Scratch include:
"forever" loop, which repeats the enclosed blocks indefinitely.
"repeat [number]" block, which repeats the enclosed blocks a specific number of times.
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9.Selection Statement/ Conditional Statement
A selection statement (conditional statement) is a control structure that allows the program to make decisions and
execute different blocks of code based on certain conditions. In Scratch, this is achieved using blocks like:
"if [condition] then" block, which executes the enclosed blocks only if the condition is true.
"if [condition] then... else" block, which executes one set of blocks if the condition is true and another set if the
condition is false.
10.Variable Declarations
Variable declarations involve creating variables that can store data values, which can be used and manipulated
throughout the program.
When you create a new variable through the "Variables" section, you are declaring it. This involves giving the
variable a name and, optionally, an initial value. Once declared, the variable can be used throughout the program
to store and manipulate data.
11.Reserved Words/ Key Words
Reserved words are also known as keywords. They have a special meaning and functions in a particular
programming language.
COMPOSITE
MATERIALS
• A composite material is formed by combining two or more materials of different characteristics.
• A composite is an item that is made when two or more different materials are combined.
• The materials which make up a composite material are also known as components.
• The individual materials used in coming up with a composite material have different properties.
• The composite materials therefore have improved properties compared to the individual materials
used in making it.
Identification of composite materials
Some of the composite materials found in the locality include:
• Mud • Mortar • Rubber
• Stone • Bituminous felt
• Sand paper • Fiberglass
• Chip board and ply wood • Papier mâché
• Concrete • Putty
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➢ Bituminous felt is fibre which contains tar or bitumen produced in a roll form and used as a waterproof
material for roof covering.
➢ Papier mâché is a material that is made of paper mixed with water, glue and other substances that
hardens as it dries.
Composition of composite materials
• The materials that make up a composite material do not dissolve or blend into each other.
• It is therefore easy to distinguish between them.
• The material that binds the other materials together is known as the matrix while the material that
gives the composite material strength is known as the reinforcement.
• Matrix is a continuous substance which surrounds fibre components(reinforcements) in a
composite material.
• For example, in concrete, the paste of cement and water forms the matrix.
• It holds reinforcements together into a solid and offers protection to the reinforcements from
adverse exposure, transfers load and provides texture, colour and durability.
• Reinforcement: a constituent of a composite material which is held inside the matrix.
• It increases the composite's strength against bending or moving.
• In concrete, the sand and the aggregates of ballast are the reinforcement.
• Additionally, steel bars may be incorporated to reinforce the concrete, giving it more strength.
• Composite materials possess compressive and tensile strength.
Material Composition
Fibre glass Fine glass particles or plastic fibre and resins.
Mud Soil and water.
Papier mâché Paper pieces or pulp and adhesive (glue, starch or wallpaper
paste)
Stone Different natural materials.
Manufactured boards Wood waste like saw dust or wood shavings and glue.
Concrete Cement, sand, water and coarse aggregates.
Mortar Cement, sand and water.
Rubber Natural latex, fibres and other additives.
Bituminous felt Petroleum by -products and sand particles.
Window putty Limestone and oil.
Sand paper Piece of cloth or paper, glue and sand particles.
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Uses of composite materials
• In sports industry, composite materials are used to make various games and sports items.
• Composite materials are used to make body parts of vehicles and bicycles.
• Composites materials are used to make customer goods and electronics such as mobile phones, television sets,
radios and calculators.
• At home, composite materials are used to make hand tools and furniture.
• In construction industry, composites like concrete are used to build houses and to construct roads and bridges
among other structures.
• In medical engineering, composite materials are used to make artificial body parts and implants.
• In transport industry, composite materials are used to make the body parts of vehicles, aeroplane,
ships and boats among others. It is also used to make travelling bags and briefcases.
• Decorative and structural roles: Papier-maché is still used in cases where the ease of construction and
low cost are important, such as in paper boxes (cartons), trays (egg trays) and the making of artistic
objects (ornaments).
• Food packaging and product promotional materials: Plastic-coated paper is paper that has a thin layer
of plastic to make it stronger, waterproof, and resistant to tearing and scratches. It is commonly used
for food packaging like paper plates and cups, plastic bags, magazines, photographs, book covers, and
promotional materials.
NOTE:
• Artificial body parts are also called prosthetics.
• Prosthetics limbs are given to substitute missing body parts.
• These body parts may have been lost in an accident or through amputation.
• The prosthetic body parts help people with missing limbs to function properly and with ease despite
the missing body parts.
Importance of composite materials used in the locality
1. Promote recreation that improves health.
2. Providing employment.
3. Use of manufactures boards such as blockboards, softboards or chipboards to reduce deforestation
through recycling of waste.
4. Improves the appearance in landscaping of compounds
CERAMIC
MATERIALS
✓ A ceramic material is made by mixing clay, earthen elements like silica, kaolin, alumina and
✓ feldspar, and water.
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✓ The material is thoroughly kneaded, shaped into desired forms.
✓ The materials are baked before being covered in decorative, waterproof, paint-like substances called
glazes.
✓ Some ceramic materials like sea shells occur naturally.
TYPES OF CERAMIC MATERIALS
1. Earthenware
Clay heated at temperatures of between 1000ºC and 1150ºC. An example is clay used to make pot.
2. Stoneware
Clay heated at an average temperature of 1200ºC until it appears like glass. An example is material used to
make a stoneware mug.
3. Porcelain
Clay mixed with glass and heated at high temperature of between 1200ºC and 1450ºC. Example is material
used to make a porcelain cup.
4. Ceramic tiles
5. Glass
6. Baked clay bricks
7. Clay tiles
PROPERTIES OF CERAMIC MATERIALS
1. Ceramic materials break easily when crushed. (fragile and brittle)
2. Ceramic materials are poor conductors of electricity.
3. Ceramic materials have a hard surface which is difficult to scratch.
4. Ceramic materials are resistant to corrosion.
5. Ceramic materials do not absorb water.
6. They are resistant to high temperatures because they have high melting points. This means that
they do not break or melt under high temperatures.
7. They withstand chemical erosion. Other materials are chemically affected when subjected to acidic
or other environments.
8. They can resist harsh weather conditions. This means that they can withstand sun or rain for long.
9. Ceramics are non-magnetic.
10. They are relatively light in weight.
USES OF CERAMIC MATERIALS
1. Ceramics are used to make items like resistors, semiconductors and inductors, among others
2. Ceramic materials are used to make a variety of pottery items like pots and utensils.
3. In the manufacturing industry, ceramics are used to make a variety of household utensils.
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4. Ceramics are used in plumbing works to make drainage installations and sanitary fittings such as
toilets and wash basins.
5. In construction, ceramics like bricks and tiles are used in building construction for walling, roofing
and finishing materials.
6. In beautification, ceramics are used to produce items like flower vase, lamp stand and souvenirs.
IMPORTANCE OF CERAMIC MATERIALS
1. Ceramic products are long-lasting. This makes them very popular especially for the low-income
earners.
2. Household items made from ceramic materials such as pots, plates, bowls and mugs are safe for
cooking, storing and serving food because they do not corrode.
3. Ceramic utensils are poor conductors of heat. They keep food warm for a longer period.
4. Ceramic tiles increase the aesthetic appearance of our houses because they are beautiful.
5. Most artificial body parts such as artificial limbs are made of ceramic materials because they are
non-reactive.
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