Discuss Scratch

PhirripSyrrip
Scratcher
500+ posts

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1234abcdcba4321 wrote:

No support, as other programming languages use those symbols.

…Besides, they can try and figure it out on their own.
With this argument, this block:
(() mod ())
Should be replaced with
(() / / ())//category=operators

EDIT: Actually, maybe not as I think there are more than one ways of doing this, I think one involves the % sign?

Last edited by PhirripSyrrip (Dec. 29, 2013 18:40:50)

AonymousGuy
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1000+ posts

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Wow… soon this topic is going to turn into the second AE argument.

I'm just saying.

I'm going to go check the statistics page:
Hmm, a large majority of users are between 12 and 14, and they should all know about this.

Yes, I know, people lie about their age sometimes.
ProdigyZeta7
Scratcher
1000+ posts

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Wait, I'm sure there's another x symbol… ×

There we go.
Zambonifofex
Scratcher
100+ posts

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ProdigyZeta7 wrote:

Wait, I'm sure there's another x symbol… ×

There we go.
Hm… Pretty! What is the alt code?
frodewin
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500+ posts

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Zambonifofex wrote:

I think the “x” and the “÷” are more intuitive to kids

The “÷” is not intuitive to German speaking kids. They are used to “:” and a central dot for multiplication.
Therefore, I suggest keeping the “*” and “/” as a transnational common programming symbol.
davidkt
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1000+ posts

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When I was 8, I figured this out by myself, as the * and / are right below the + and -. No support. This is programming. It should be obvious to anyone.

Besides, what if M30W comes out and everyone starts using that? It's king of tedious to type the ÷ symbol, and x could be used for a variable.
DotDash
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ProdigyZeta7 wrote:

Zambonifofex wrote:

I didn't knew there was a “÷” symbol. Interesting… xD
On Windows, it's Alt + 246.
On mac its Alt + /

÷
Zambonifofex
Scratcher
100+ posts

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frodewin wrote:

Zambonifofex wrote:

I think the “x” and the “÷” are more intuitive to kids

The “÷” is not intuitive to German speaking kids. They are used to “:” and a central dot for multiplication.
Therefore, I suggest keeping the “*” and “/” as a transnational common programming symbol.
well, there is are things called “translations”. You can have “/” and “×” in the english languge, and “:” and the dot in german.

davidkt wrote:

When I was 8, I figured this out by myself, as the * and / are right below the + and -. No support. This is programming. It should be obvious to anyone.

Besides, what if M30W comes out and everyone starts using that? It's king of tedious to type the ÷ symbol, and x could be used for a variable.
Hm…

Last edited by Zambonifofex (Dec. 30, 2013 16:48:31)

k9lego
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1000+ posts

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I say if you're a young kid; just ask your parents what that means. k9lego.

Last edited by k9lego (Dec. 30, 2013 00:01:13)

PhirripSyrrip
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500+ posts

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frodewin wrote:

Zambonifofex wrote:

I think the “x” and the “÷” are more intuitive to kids

The “÷” is not intuitive to German speaking kids. They are used to “:” and a central dot for multiplication.
Therefore, I suggest keeping the “*” and “/” as a transnational common programming symbol.
That's a very good point. It's the same in Polish.
picopaper
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500+ posts

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Why not just have some little check-box or slider letting you decide which you prefer? You could make the x & ÷ default to avoid younger-kid confusion, then give more experienced programmers the option to switch to * & \ blocks.

Last edited by picopaper (Dec. 30, 2013 00:19:10)

Zambonifofex
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100+ posts

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picopaper wrote:

Why not just have some little check-box or slider letting you decide which you prefer? You could make the x & ÷ default to avoid younger-kid confusion, then give more experienced programmers the option to switch to * & \ blocks.
That's way too simple to deserve a checkbox just for it…
ProdigyZeta7
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1000+ posts

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Zambonifofex wrote:

ProdigyZeta7 wrote:

Wait, I'm sure there's another x symbol… ×

There we go.
Hm… Pretty! What is the alt code?
Took me a while to find it, but Alt + 0215.

Testing… × Yep.
elliebelly121100
Scratcher
61 posts

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I agree abut the issue with x being the algebra symbol for variable, but usually, when used in algebra, it's italicized. Maybe changing it to the x wouldn't be such a bad idea.

Also, in my math textbook, they use a dot: • like that to do multiplication. so instead of

1 x 2 = 2 or 1 * 2 = 2 they do 1 • 2 = 2

So it might not be as confusing as you think!

- @elliebelly121100
PhirripSyrrip
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500+ posts

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PhirripSyrrip wrote:

frodewin wrote:

Zambonifofex wrote:

I think the “x” and the “÷” are more intuitive to kids

The “÷” is not intuitive to German speaking kids. They are used to “:” and a central dot for multiplication.
Therefore, I suggest keeping the “*” and “/” as a transnational common programming symbol.
That's a very good point. It's the same in Polish.
Just had another thought: if it were changed from * and / then then the language selection could decide whether it becomes × and ÷ in English and other countries that use these signs, but for German, Polish and other languages, they would become · and :
Zambonifofex
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100+ posts

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PhirripSyrrip wrote:

PhirripSyrrip wrote:

frodewin wrote:

Zambonifofex wrote:

I think the “x” and the “÷” are more intuitive to kids

The “÷” is not intuitive to German speaking kids. They are used to “:” and a central dot for multiplication.
Therefore, I suggest keeping the “*” and “/” as a transnational common programming symbol.
That's a very good point. It's the same in Polish.
Just had another thought: if it were changed from * and / then then the language selection could decide whether it becomes × and ÷ in English and other countries that use these signs, but for German, Polish and other languages, they would become · and :
That's exactly what i've said, but no one cares about me =P

Zambonifofex wrote:

frodewin wrote:

The “÷” is not intuitive to German speaking kids. They are used to “:” and a central dot for multiplication.
Therefore, I suggest keeping the “*” and “/” as a transnational common programming symbol.
well, there is are things called “translations”. You can have “/” and “×” in the english languge, and “:” and the dot in german.

Last edited by Zambonifofex (Dec. 30, 2013 16:48:58)

turkey3_test
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1000+ posts

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I've considered this before. Support! Though personally I use the bullet point dot for multiplication.
Firedrake969
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1000+ posts

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No support. In later math (and even starting in fractions), division with polynomials is like
5x-4
3x+2

I'm pretty neutral about the * thing, though. So far.
mitchboy
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1000+ posts

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The multiplication symbol (×) and x (as in a variable) are slightly different. Plus, if you have two spaces separated by an x, I'm pretty sure people won't assume it's an algebraic x…

scimonster wrote:

I had a 4th grader ask me last week where the multiplication operator is. I showed him, and he said that he didn't know that was the multiplication symbol.
I support this.
^ this
Zambonifofex
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100+ posts

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Are you guys seriously discussing about the fact that × is similar to an variable x? And how does those look the same, or even similar?:

(() × ()) //category=operators
(x)

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