Description
Ruby is an object-oriented programming language available for Windows, MacOS, Linux, and Unix, and is a great choice for the development of interactive applications and games. Ruby scripts are executed by an interpreter at run-time, allowing you to make changes to your scripts and then immediately run them without having to go through a compilation process.
Ruby has an easy-to-learn, intuitive syntax and we take you step-by-step through the language by introducing you to a number of interesting games, building on your knowledge to gradually create more complex games, like the Galaxy War game, the intriguing Twelve puzzle game, and the scintillating Escape platform game, which includes great graphics, music, sound effects, and animation.
We start by showing you how to install the Windows version of Ruby and, throughout the course, we employ the “learn-by-example” concept, where we teach the language by providing examples that demonstrate each new concept or technique, then get you to try them yourself.
All software used during the course, including the Ruby interpreter, the Gosu graphical gaming library, and the Chipmunk physics engine, are available completely free of charge, and can be freely distributed.
The Ruby For Beginner’s course is structured as follows:
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Introduction To Ruby
1.3 Understanding Variables
1.4 Working With Strings
1.5 Performing Arithmetic
1.6 Logical Operations
1.7 Lesson Review & Quiz
1.8 Assignment 1 – The Trivia Program
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Conditional Statements
2.3 Loop Statements
2.4 Guess The Number Game
2.5 The Anagram Game
2.6 Lesson Review & Quiz
2.7 Assignment 2 – Guess The Word Game
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Introducing Arrays
3.3 Working With Arrays
3.4 Nested Arrays
3.5 Working With Hashes
3.6 The Hangman Game
3.7 Lesson Review & Quiz
3.8 Assignment 3 – The Anagram Game With Clues
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Creating Methods
4.3 Parameters & Returns
4.4 Variables In Methods
4.5 The Noughts & Crosses Game (1)
4.6 The Noughts & Crosses Game (2)
4.6 Lesson Review & Quiz
4.7 Assignment 4 – Updating The Hangman Game
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Directory & File Methods
5.3 Working With Text Files
5.4 Handling Exceptions
5.5 The Sports Quiz
5.6 Lesson Review & Quiz
5.7 Assignment 5 – Build Your Own Quiz
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Classes, Methods, & Objects
6.3 Initializing Objects & Attributes
6.4 Special Class Methods
6.5 The Hungry Caterpillar Game
6.6 Lesson Review & Quiz
6.7 Assignment 6 – Create A Television Object
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Creating Multiple Classes
7.3 Inheritance
7.4 Changing Inherited Methods
7.5 Creating Modules
7.6 The Rock, Paper, Scissors Game
7.7 Lesson Review & Quiz
7.8 Assignment 7 – The Highest Card Game
8.1 Introduction
8.2 Creating A Graphics Window
8.3 Inserting Text & Images
8.4 Keyboard & Mouse Input
8.5 Simple Animation Techniques
8.6 The “Bash The Ruby” Game
8.7 Lesson Review & Quiz
8.8 Assignment 8 – The “Hit The Square” Game
9.1 Introduction
9.2 The “Ping Pong” Game
9.3 Galaxy War Game V1
9.4 Galaxy War Game V2
9.5 Galaxy War Game V3
9.6 Lesson Review & Quiz
9.7 Assignment 9 – Update The Galaxy War Game
10.1 Introduction
10.2 The Twelve Game V1
10.3 The Twelve Game V2
10.4 The Twelve Game V3
10.5 The Escape Game V1
10.6 The Escape Game V2
10.7 The Escape Game V3
10.8 The Escape Game V4
10.9 Lesson Review & Quiz
10.10 Assignment 10 – Update The Escape Game
Software Requirements
Students should have: a working knowledge of using text editors or word processors; A basic understanding of your computer’s operating system; A working knowledge of your email software and the ability to attach files to an email; A basic knowledge of file zipping software such as WinZip or 7-Zip; and some experience of downloading and installing software packages from the web.
Although Ruby is available for other operating systems as well as Windows, the installation and running instructions are for the Windows operating system. All other software is provided with the course. Installer files for Ruby, the Ruby Development Kit, and Notepad++ are included in the course materials.
Prerequisites
Students should have: a working knowledge of using text editors or word processors; A basic understanding of your computer’s operating system; A working knowledge of your email software and the ability to attach files to an email; A basic knowledge of file zipping software such as WinZip or 7-Zip; and Some experience of downloading and installing software packages from the web.
Course Duration & Support
Students may register at any time for a fully-supported one-year training licence and will have constant access to a personal tutor via email. As the course is self-study, you can complete in as little or as long a time as you prefer within the one-year licence period.
Assessment
You will be assessed on coursework which is detailed in the course materials. The coursework consists of individual web pages and a complete final website. Your work can be sent back to your course tutor by email or by post.
Certification
Certification is based on your completed coursework and there is no formal examination at the end of the course. On successful completion of the course students will receive a Level 3 Open Awards Quality Endorsed Unit Course Certificate with 8 Open Awards Credits.
The completion of this course alone does not lead to an Ofqual regulated qualification but may be used as evidence of knowledge and skills towards regulated qualifications in the future. To this end the learning outcomes of the course have been benchmarked at Level 3 against level descriptors published by Ofqual, to indicate the depth of study and level of difficulty involved in successful completion by the learner.
The certification is issued through Open Awards in association with DLC which is an approved Open Awards centre. Open Awards are an Awarding Body Organisation approved by Ofqual. Set up in 1981, Open Awards (Previously the North West Region of the National Open College Network – OCNNW) has been in business for over 30 years and is a not-for-profit organisation and a registered charity.
