• Want to start programming bigger and better things? Games, apps, websites, and software?
• To move from writing scripts to writing whole programs, we need to consider:
• What is the difference between a script and a program?
• How do programs get more complex as they grow?
• How do we organize code so we can manage big programs?
• How do we break logic apart into smaller steps?

• Many computer programs and games start out small, and then get more and more complex.
• Complexity is introduced when we:
• Add new variables.
  

  var a, b, c, x, y, z;
  

• Branch the code through conditionals.
  

  if (thing > 10) {
  
  } else if (thing < -10) {
  
  } else {
  
  }
  

• Nest blocks inside each other.
  

  if (thing > 10) {
      if (otherThing == 2) {
          if (anotherThing == true) {
              foo = "bar";
          }
      }
  }
  

• Once a program gets too complex, we need to start breaking it down into smaller components.
• This is where functions become important:
• Functions can be used to break complex logic into smaller steps.
• Using functions improves the readability of code.
• It also helps us to understand a codebase and add to it in the future.

• Universal Paperclips is a great example of a game that starts simple and gets more and more complex.
• This game is also a great introduction to some of the concepts of Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Complexity that we'll be exploring in this course.

Play Universal Paperclips

(Max 30 mins! This game goes on forever. Feel free to keep playing on your own time.)

As you play the game, take a moment to consider:

• What kind of variables are being used?
• What's happening in the main loop of the game?
• How does user input play a part?
• What kind of functions might be involved?
• How do you think the programmer who made this game managed its complexity?

• In this unit, you're going to make a simple clicker game like Universal Paperclips (but shorter!)
• It's time to dust off your programming skills from CSE-A and get back into thinking about statements, variables and loops:

• As you played Universal Paperclips, what kind of game logic did you notice?
• Conditionals might have been used to trigger new levels in the game.
• Loops were likely used to increment the money earned by selling paperclips.
• Statements were probably used to trigger button clicks.
• Functions were also likely used to control the flow of game logic:
• Continue watching to see the importance of functions in your code: 

• Functions (also known as procedures or subroutines) enable us to put a single concept or action in it's own block of code.
• They're an essential part of organizing your code as well as making sure your code readable.
• Consider the following function names:
  

  makePaperclip();
  purchaseAutoClippers();
  raisePaperclipPrice();
  

• Functions that return a true or false value often start with the word is or can:
  

  isAutoClipperActive();
  canPurchaseWire();
  

• A well named function is essential to convey what it is doing.
• As you begin to write your game, using well named functions can help to organize your code.

• Make a simple clicker game using p5.js
• It could be about paperclips, widgets, bicycles, robots, or anything else.
• Use the p5.js editor to create your game.
  
• Create an account so you can save your progress.
• Check out the p5.js documentation.
• p5 uses Javascript, be sure to check out the documentation as needed.
• Elements of your clicker game:
• Variables: to track the quantity of materials, objects, money, etc.
• Input: at least one button!
• Output: text to display instructions and variables.
• Draw Loop: where variables increase, and stuff happens.
• Functions: to keep your code organized.
• Comments: to explain what is happening in your code.
• This is a warm-up, not a masterpiece.
• Have fun, explore some ideas, but don't get carried away :)
• The game only needs about 5 minutes of gameplay.
• Building your game should take about 1 hour.
• When you're done, submit a link to your playable game as evidence of your learning in this unit.