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8. Comparison with other implementations

In what follows, I make some quick “first-impressions” comparisons between Reeborg’s World and other Karel the robot-inspired implementations, by comparing the simplest program for each implementation.

I only mention those that require the student to write code. Please feel free to contact me to correct any misrepresentation I may have made of the other “Karel the robot” implementations.

Note

I arbitrarily chose a single “move” function to represent the simplest valid program in a given implementation.

8.1. First, Reeborg’s World

The simplest valid program is:

move()

That’s it: a single instruction. What could be simpler when teaching beginners?

If one wants to use an OOP approach instead (starting with an empty world), the simplest valid program is:

reeborg = UsedRobot()
reeborg.move()

Once again, that’s it; it’s difficult to be simpler than this.

Because using standard libraries is something useful, students can first learn about libraries by writing their own code and, in doing so, they learn that library modules are just programs like any others. Assuming they have define a function, say turn_right(), in their library, the following program will be valid:

from library import turn_right
turn_right()

So, the idea is to have the student deal with as few concepts as possible to write programs, only learning new concepts (such as Object-Oriented notation and importing code from a library) after they have learned the basics.

Also, having a visually rich world environment can make programming tasks both more appealing and more varied than in simpler worlds.

When it comes to other implementation, notice how everything (using a library, using OOP techniques) is often required right from the start, making it a challenge for beginners to get started.

8.2. Karel the robot

The original Karel the robot did not have the concept of a library. It used a Pascal inspired language. The simplest valid program one could write was something like the following:

BEGINNING-OF-PROGRAM

    BEGINNING-OF-EXECUTION
        move;
        turnoff
    END-OF-EXECUTION

END-OF-PROGRAM

The turnoff instruction was required; the equivalent done() in Reeborg’s World is optional.

8.3. Karel++

Karel++ is a C++ based version to which Richard Pattis, the inventor of Karel the robot, contributed. (http://csis.pace.edu/~bergin/CHAP02.html)

The simplest program is:

task
{
    ur_Robot Karel(1, 1, East, 0);
    Karel.move();
    Karel.turnOff();
}

The graphical representation of the world is rather limited, and only one type of object is found, like in the original Karel the Robot.

8.4. Monty Karel

The makers of Karel++ have also a Python version. (http://csis.pace.edu/~bergin/MontyKarel/index.html) Here’s the simplest program:

from karel.robota import UrRobot
from karel.robota import East

if __name__ == '__main__' :
    karel = UrRobot(1, 1, East, 0)
    karel.move()
    karel.turnOff()

For a basic “Hello world” type of program, this is a rather complicated one which hides Python’s strength when it comes to simplicity and readability.

The graphical representation of the world is rather limited, and only one type of object is found, like in the original Karel the Robot.

8.5. Karel J. Robot

The makers of Karel++ have also a Java version. (http://csis.pace.edu/~bergin/KarelJava2ed/Karel++JavaEdition.html) Here’s the simplest program based on my reading of the documentation:

package kareltherobot;

public class SomeName implements Directions
{
    public static void main(String [] args)
    {
        UrRobot Karel = new UrRobot(1, 1, East, 0);
        Karel.move();
        Karel.turnOff();
    }
}

Java being Java ... there is a lot of extra “cruft”, including a number of keywords, that has to be included when writing even the simplest program.

The graphical representation of the world is rather limited, and only one type of object is found, like in the original Karel the Robot.

8.6. Guido van Robot

Guido van Robot (http://gvr.sourceforge.net/) uses a custom, limited mini-language whose syntax is inspired by Python. The equivalent program to those mentioned above would be written simply as:

move
turnoff

Many developers who worked on Guido van Robot helped me when I first started working on RUR-PLE, the desktop precursor to Reeborg’s World. They, in turn, adapted the graphical world editor I developed for RUR-PLE so that it could be included in Guido van Robot.

The graphical representation of the world is rather limited, and only one type of object is found, like in the original Karel the Robot.

8.7. Code Combat

Code Combat (https://codecombat.com) is an absolutely beautiful environment, having visually rich animated graphics and sounds. It presents the user with pre-defined worlds, and very precise tasks that must be accomplished.

The simplest valid program, using the Python version, would be:

self.moveRight()

However, the simplest task requires more than one such command. Furthermore, there is absolutely no explanation given at the beginning as to why this complicated syntax (why ``self.``?) must be used.

While I envy the richness of the graphical environment, I find it a bit overwhelming and inflexible to use.