| Week 1 | |
|---|---|
| Course | Arch 2042 |
| Date | 2012/02/24 |
| Learning Objectives | We will give an overview of the class, frame the topic of practical computation by introducing the concepts of algorithm and data structures through the use of a simple toolkit, and set up the infrastructure to begin coding in Rhino-Python. |
| Agenda |
|
| Uses Tool(s) | |
Lecture 1
Workshop 1
Setup
- Rhino-Python Setup: Please have the latest Rhino 5 for Windows WIP or the latest Rhino for OSX WIP installed.
- Script Editor Setup: The Windows setup includes a built-in script editor that can be launched with the “_EditPythonScript” command in Rhino. The OSX version currently does not include this editor; instead, you will be installing Komodo Edit (free). Please follow these instructions
- Running Scripts: If using the built-in editor in Windows, you can simply type in your script and press the Run button. For OSX, You will be able to run scripts by typing in the command -RunPythonScript and navigating to the Scripts/ folder which can be found at /Users/<your user name>/Library/Application Support/McNeel/Rhinoceros/.
Object Representation and Manipulation
Representation of the common objects and operations that are the building blocks to code, illustrated diagrammatically where possible.
- Object Types
- data stored in a computer is often represented as one of several basic "types".
- Variables
- variables allow us to store data in a "container" for later access and manipulation.
- Operations & Expressions
- data can interact and be manipulated in a number of ways.
Control Flow
How do computers execute instructions? The control-flow statements specify the order in which computations are performed.
- Conditionals
- statements that are used to express decisions.
Assignment
Compass-Straightedge Constructions :
- Illustrate the construction for ab.
- Given a line l and a point p (not necessarily on the line l), develop an algorithm to construct a perpendicular line to l though p. Do this by precise illustration and description. Make sure that your algorithm takes into account the case when p also falls on l.
Programming Exercise :
The goal of this simple programming exercise is to get you comfortable with the workflow of developing in a script editor, using simple elements in Python, running a script and seeing the output. This exercise includes standard elements of a program such as the ability to print out results, the ability to read input (detailed below), and the ability to store values in a variable, so that the program can access that value as needed.
Write a program that does the following:
- Asks the user for his/her first name. You will need to use the rhinoscript package and use the command rs.GetString:
import rhinoscriptsyntax as rs firstName = rs.GetString('Enter your first name')
- Asks the user for his/her last name.
- Ask the user for a positive integer n. You can do this by using the command rs.GetInteger.
- Prints out the first name and last name (with a space in between) n times in a row.
Your output in the command history should look something like:
Enter your first name: Joy
Enter your last name: Ko
Enter a positive integer: 5
Joy Ko Joy Ko Joy Ko Joy Ko Joy Ko