Setting Realistic Career Goals

Not everyone is able to become President of the United States, though that is a common dream that is set for many children, at a young age. Not nearly as many that have the dream of becoming a doctor will end up pursuing, or achieving it. We are taught to be ambitious, but does that work for us, or against us?  It works against us, as the goals we set are too high and potentially unattainable.

As a child, I always wanted to pursue a career involving space in some way or shape. Whether it would be by becoming an astronaut, or have some position at NASA, or even as an astronomer, I wanted space to be the focus of my future. I read piles of books related to celestial bodies, and other concepts out of my total comprehension at such a young age, but I was determined to achieve this goal. My dreams, however, were shattered when I realized that, though I could perform math relatively well, I would not be able to aim for the levels in which such careers wanted of me. It did not help that Physics was not my favorite subject either. Unfortunately, these two subjects are hard requirements for this line of work.

                                         
(n.d.). Retrieved December 8, 2015, from http://www.forensicmag.com/sites/forensicmag.com/files/Four_Steps_Establishing_Realistic_Career_Goals_sm.jpg

When it came time for me to set my life on a career track, I rather looked at what I enjoyed doing most out of my day, which was working with computers. I figured that this would be something I could adapt to doing, as I had no prior coding experience. It ended up being something I enjoyed and could comprehend. In the end, did having a goal literally set in the stars hurt me as a person? No, but it did stall my time in which I could have spent learning items that would become more relevant in my future career.

                                     
(n.d.). Retrieved December 8, 2015, from https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2sN1Cm2wR4JSUg3ZPYFnPanFFOhJ9ynIog6wnV0IWrw_XMRsspx3UN6a4HJZId-yvtoli3ypI-ATdsSxGJ6zRfMWcFJTYn5i8mKJYZkKrkuldqpOeY9e5KpuUADeVEX9nLylttZQMlGI/s200/careergoals.jpg

When setting a career goal, there are many essentials that will help you choose a lien of work that is right for you. One is to find something you enjoy, while also challenging you. (Set Ambitious Career Goals) Easy work is one thing, and can pay the bills, but the routine and monotony of it can melt your brain and thinking ability. Something else important is being able to determine what exactly you want out of a career. Is to make money, see the world, move far away, etc. ? (Set Realistic Career Goals) Lastly is the ability to set goals that you can achieve that will help you in working towards your goal. (Set Realistic Career Goals) These are the steps that I have been taking, which in turn have put me on track to achieving a future career in the field of Computer Science.




How to Set Ambitious Career Goals You Can Realistically Accomplish. (n.d.). Retrieved December 8, 2015, from https://www.themuse.com/advice/how-to-set-ambitious-career-goals-you-can-realistically-accomplish

How to Set Realistic Career Goals. (n.d.). Retrieved December 8, 2015, from http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/set-realistic-career-goals-30597.html

Javascript Canvas saves a Puzzle

Through the coding of the puzzle game in the original language of Python, certain complications were discovered. These primarily were in adapting the application to not be packaged as a downloadable app, but rather as a game that would function on the website. It was quickly discovered, with some heavy research, that Python does not like to have this sort of webpage functionality, and thus there was a shift towards using Javascript. This proved to be less of a challenge than expected, as this language was easily supported by HTML5. It was discovered that the Canvas functionality in this language suited the puzzle's need perfectly. The Python code that was developed was adapted easily, though some was thrown out all together as more efficient and less-costly alternatives were discovered in Javascript. (Drawing on Canvas)

(Canvas Sketch JS)

The Javascript Canvas is a DOM element, which allows for styles and positions of objects to be displayed on a webpage. This is similar to the other type of DOM, a SVG, or Scalable Vector Graphic. A Canvas is similar, but different in that it needs to redraw the image graphic every time it is modified. This can allow for functionality such as moving an object, painting, or any similar methodology. A canvas is made using the canvas tag, <canvas>. (HTML Tag) Commonly used for webgraphics is the "2d" design for canvas, though "webgl" can be used to support 3D graphical elements. For this project, 2D is the main focus as that mainly suits the needs of our puzzle games. Different elements can be manipulated using the canvas; such as the fill color, which can be used to set the color of a drawn object or background; or even the stroke, which can manipulate the size and width of a line or outline. Text may also be displayed as pixel data, on a canvas. The canvas can even serve to host animations, drawing each frame, as coded in the Javascript. (Drawing on Canvas)

For this project, mainly what is being focused on is the ability to move images, and have objects in the foreground and background. With this functionality implemented, the puzzle can be modified by the Green-Ninja engineers in order to host any storytelling and riddles that they view fit for the ultimately finished version of the game. 

(n.d.). Retrieved November 20, 2015, from http://hawksworx.com/images/sketchjs.png

Chapter 16 Drawing on Canvas. (n.d.). Retrieved November 20, 2015, from http://eloquentjavascript.net/16_canvas.html

HTML Tag. (n.d.). Retrieved November 20, 2015, from http://www.w3schools.com/tags/tag_canvas.asp

Why Python for Game Design

Python is the choice language being used for the development of the Green Ninja Project. Other languages have been considered, but a static language has its limitations when compared to a scripting language such as Python. One of the main advantages of this language is that it can incorporate C/C++ code in order to enhance and automate production. (Game Scripting)

The limits of a language such as C++ stem from the fact that this language emphasizes run-time speed, rather than the features of the application. Sometimes there must be sacrifices to run-time in order to have the functionality that is desired. C++ also has the disadvantage of being static, which can infer that the coding process of the game being developed will take significantly longer. This is due to the complex functions that must be developed for potentially a single function call. (Game Scripting) C++ has the benefit of being an overall faster language when using floating pointers, in comparison to Python. However, the speed of modern computers effectively negatives this positive when comparing the extra work and time that would be spent adapting the same code in C++ from Python.

https://academy.zenva.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Python-Game-Development-Create-a-Flappy-Bird-Clone.jpg

One of the main reasons to use Python in an environment, such as game development, is that all of the created objects have their memory allocated. Unlike in a static language which requires the freeing of memory,  there is no worry that bad allocation can cause other issues with memory down the line of the development or deployment of a product. Python also has easy integration of both C++, as well as HTML. This can allow for web apps, or in this case, games to be hosted on a webpage. In order for Python code to be executed on a HTML page, there needs to be a Common Gateway Interference, or CGI, that will serve as a bridge between the program and the server. (Use Python) From there, the standard MVC (Model View Controller) method can be applied in order to interface the application with the webpage. (Use Python) With these tools at the disposal of this language, Python becomes a very versatile and powerful language that has the ability to integrate high-level functionality while maintaining a simple-to-use coding environment.

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/CErDowuFclY/maxresdefault.jpg

Dawson, B. (n.d.). Game Scripting in Python. Retrieved November 3, 2015, from http://www.kaiyuanba.cn/content/develop/Game_Scripting_in_Python.doc

Kubica, M. (n.d.). HOWTO Use Python in the web¶. Retrieved November 3, 2015, from https://docs.python.org/2/howto/webservers.html

Creating a Web Page Game

Designing an applet for a website is commonplace. No-longer is it something that only a select few do. There are templates that are easy to find, as well as simple to understand, that can be found for free all across the internet. However, to create something more detailed requires knowledge of multiple programming languages. The popular ones of current web-app designers seem to revolve around Python and HTML5. Flash is disappearing as a method of creating games and apps. Support for that is disappearing with the newer browsers. CSS is also becoming a language that is used primarily in conjunction with HTML5, working with the HTML framework. (Build a Web App)

The Green Ninja Project Puzzle will be using these languages to host the game. HTML5 is going to serve as the basic framework, on a client-hosted webpage, operating as a front-end. (Build a Web App) HTML5 and CSS are purely to act as the framwork. A Python program will serve as the main workhorse for the game, however, being what actually allows the user to interact with the game.
(How to Make a HTML5 Game) Being able to interact with the images on screen in order to solve the riddles is very important, as serves as the main purpose of our project so that comes first. Premade templates are out there for Python frameworks, and many of those function very well so that may be used and tweaked to our liking.

Please contact me with any questions regarding the project. 

Build a web app fast: Python, HTML & JavaScript resources

By: , Pixelmonkey.

http://www.pixelmonkey.org/2012/06/14/web-app

How to Make a HTML5 Game (GameDev Academy)

http://gamedevacademy.org/how-to-make-a-html5-game/

Designing a Puzzle Game

The process that goes into creating a viable puzzle game is fairly in-depth and complex. There is a lot of thinking that can make or break a puzzle, as it must be solvable, but not too difficult. However, if it is too easy,t he user will become uninterested in the game. "A puzzle is fun, and has one right answer," (How are Puzzle Games Designed?) according to Scott Kim. Puzzles are a relic of human history, having been with us for centuries as a form of working the brain, as well as functioning as entertainment. Thanks to computers, this ancient form is being brought to new light, as well as to new complexity. Moving images, video clips, music, etc. have made even the most basic puzzle into something new and more complex.

My project for the semester is to create a puzzle for the Green Ninja Project. This group creates media focused around protecting and preserving our planet's environment, so that will be the ultimate theme of the game. This will be based on various web-pages using HTML5, but will be coded in Java. This front-end, being composed on HTML5, will allow us to directly plug in the objects we need to make the game possible. (HMTL5, Java and the Future of Web Development) The ultimate goal is to create a puzzle that could be classified as combinatorial (How are Puzzle Games Designed?), as it will increase in difficulty, but be hand-crafted and not generated. This will allow for an experience that can cater to our target audience, who are children between the ages of 10 and 12.

If you wish to learn more about me or my project, please comment below and I will gladly answer.



How are puzzle games designed? (Introduction). (2011, April 16). Retrieved September 29, 2015, from http://devmag.org.za/2011/04/16/how-are-puzzle-games-designed-introduction/

HTML5, Java and the future of Web development. (n.d.). Retrieved September 29, 2015, from http://www.theserverside.com/tip/HTML5-Java-and-the-future-of-Web-developement