Turtle Graphics provide an environment for creating computer graphics while learning a popular computer programming language JavaScript. Turtle graphics have been around since the 1960s as a simple way to do graphics and thinking about a problem from the perspective of another, in this case a turtle with a pen in its belly. JavaScript is the world’s most deployed language as it is deployed in almost every browser used in every desktop, laptop and smart phone. It is a language where its basics can be learned easily, yet it has plenty of power for much more complex projects.
Turtle graphics
About Turtle Graphics
History Turtle graphics were originally developed as part of the Logo language developed in 1967 at Bolt, Beranek and Newman (BBN), a Cambridge, Massachusetts research firm, by Wally Feurzeig and Seymour Papert. There have been several attempts to commercialize turtle graphics for small children including the Terrapin Turtle and Apple Logo Graphics using an Apple ][ computer. Most implementations of Turtle Graphics did not include a full implementation of the Logo language.
Turtle graphics
Introduction to Turtle Graphics
Turtle graphics has been used to introduce students to programming and computer graphics for many years. This version is based on JavaScript programming.
Simple commands Turtle Graphics works by issuing commands to a “turtle” which moves on the screen to draw a figure. All commands are from the perspective of the turtle. The commands look like:
// comment to explain what is going on, from the double slash to the end of the line
Turtle graphics
JavaScript Turtle Graphics Examples
Warning This page is currently a stub. The true example can be found here
Overview This page contains examples of the graphics generated with the turtle graphics program. This is a pictorial index, so clicking on an image will bring up the Turtle Graphic IDE loaded with the program to generate the image. The description of the example tells what inspired the example, where more information can be found, or where similar things can be found.
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JavaScript Turtle Graphics IDE Guide
IDEs or Integrated Development Environments allow a user to write and test code on a single page. This IDE allows a user to write JavaScript code with Turtle Graphics functions and see the graphical results. code and test it on a single web page. No other program is required. Just a modern browser that can support HTML5 like Chrome or Firefox. Some older browsers may not work. The IDE screen is divided into four main areas:
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Polygon Animation with Turtle Graphics
Warning This page is currently a stub. The true animation tutorial can be found here
Overview This tutorial will take you through the basics of drawing with turtle graphics through the creation of the motion of stars as seen from a space craft exceeding the speed of light. This is a journey, but like all journeys, it has a series of small steps.
In preparation for the journey, it is assumed that you already have some knowledge of JavaScript and Turtle Graphics.