New method: learn programming through stories

1. The Einstein Code
Every kid can learn programming. It can happen with the condition to be
fun. What is fun for kids? The stories are fun. Games are fun. Cartoons are
fun. The basics of programming must be explained naturally in children's
language. This must happen at very young ages. Make a computer program
must become as natural as reading, writing, singing. Kids loves to spend
many hours in front of the computer. My daughter does not know yet to
code. But, she like cartoons, fairy tales, princesses and magic things.
Therefore, I have introduced in my ebook "The Einstein Code", some
magical signs. These signs are representations of the concepts of flow
charts ("if", "repeat").

2. We are in the future. Year 2666.
This is the Multi Computer land.
With more than 600 years ago, alpha constellation lords came to our
planet, trying to steal the Einstein code.
But professor Einstein himself succeeded to beat the lords.

3. They Lords left on. But one of them stayed here. This is the wizard
Merloni.
The wizard Merloni want to steal the Einstein code.
In this way, he will become the smartest on the planet.
But whatever he does, he fails. Each day, the wizard
asks the Oracle: Who can help me to steal Einstein's code?
The Oracle responds: Miruna is the only person that professor Einstein
trusts.
Ah, then bring me the little dragon- say Merloni.
And the little dragon arrives in a hurry.

4. Leave immediately and bring it here Miruna, say the wizard.
Miruna is friends with all the animals in the city.
A little bird, which was at the window, heard the whole conversation.
He goes rushing to Miruna. Why are you so nervous? ask Miruna. Are you
hungry? No, no, listen to me carefully. And the bird tells her everything. Run
at your friend, professor Einstein and hide there. Miruna listens and runs
away through the woods.
She arrived to the Einstein's house.
Einstein lives in the world of computer programmers.

5. By the way, I forgot to tell you that programmers are those small and weird
guys: they think at all sorts of programs which make the life easier.
These programs help us find faster Internet cartoons, protect us from the
evil computer viruses, and so on. All day long they think of all sorts of
programs, meant to make our lives easier. These programs help us find
cartoons on the internet more quickly or keep the bad viruses away from
our computer. The house is full of magical signs.
Each sign is used for something specific.
I know why you came to me, and I want to help you.

6. But you have to learn to master the magical signs. Come with me. If you
learn the magical signs, you can easily translate it into the language of the
computers. These signs are the Einstein code. What we have called in this
way? Because we do not want to be easily found. Let's go to the past. As
we talk between us, our ancestor spoke with computers. Difference is that
they used a little strange language, a coded language, called C + +. To find
the exit of the cave, our ancestors used a map.
Each map has a special sign: sign start.
Here we must begin to read the map. Now, you have to follow the arrows.
How long must we follow the arrows? ask Miruna. Until we get to the STOP
sign. This is the STOP sign. This sign tells us that this is the end of the
map.
Let's go for a walk, says Einstein. You see those
little creatures?
They must find the way out of the cave.

7. To be more easier to read the map, they shared the path from beginning to
end in the 4 basic moves, called sequences. These are basic sequences:
left, right, up, down.
These signs are called instructions, steps, commands.
Now, we have to meet YES and NO brothers. What are Yes and No
brothers? Basically, they are the answer to a question.
If the answer to a question is YES, do something.

8. For example: Is it raining? Yes.
Then, let’s take the umbrella.
If it is raining, you take the umbrella.
This is the magical sign for IF.
When little creatures had to choose between two paths they used to ask a
question. If the answer is yes, choose a way, and if it is NOT choose
another way.

9. Whenever you have to make a choice, you think of an “IF”.
Let me buy a great ice or small ice cream?
IF I have enough money,
I buy a big ice cream
ELSE
I buy a small ice cream.
This is the sign for IF / ELSE
Let's continue the story.

10. In this case, the road can be covered as follows:
right
down
right
down

11. right
down
But easier, will be covered as follows:
REPEAT 3 times
right
down
Whenever we execute an action many times we have to use a repeat loop.
This is a magical sign for “REPEAT”.
The map is full of magical signs, says Miruna .
And magical signs are connected
by arrows. Simply follow the arrows, and you can read the map.
Now you have absolute power, says Einstein. This power will
allow you to beat anyone, if you read the map correctly. Now
you're ready for the final battle. You can fight with the wizard.
Has Mick found the girl? asks the wizard.

12. And the Oracle responds:
No, and now he's lost and transformed into an ice castle.
These servants of mine are not able to do anything; I must do everything by
myself! says the Wizard. Immediately wizard turned into a bear and went
to the professor's house.
I gotta get back in my charming town, says Miruna .
But the road can be full of hazards for a little girl.
I want to pick up the bear with me. Maybe the bear will defend me.
Bear , do you want to go with me ? Yes , why not, answer the bear.
Bear thought: on the road, I 'll steal the secrets of magical signs and I
become the smartest in town.
It's a big forest. I came through this forest. I use the map to get back.

13. We'll need a map to not get lost- say Miruna.
A map? What is a map? ask the bear.
A map consists of many magical signs. These magical signs are placed in
a certain order. Each one tells us what to do at a time.
Between the signs are arrows.
Let's read the map.
There is a magic sign that indicate the START and
here begins the map.
Let's follow the arrows.
Let's look on the map. Here's the magic sign for REPEAT.

14. REPEAT 3 times
right
down
So, let's go.
One step to the right and one step to down.
One step to the right and one step to down.
One step to the right and one step to down.
Now, It's an UFO.
IF you see an UFO
go to the right

15. And they went, until they reached home in the charming town.
I’ve understood the magical signs- say the bear! We should not steal the
code, we must understand and use it. The wizard has become the good
wizard. From now on, I will do only good spells.
Let's recap: every map has a beginning and an end. So we can read it, we
have to follow the arrows. A map consists of many sequences. They are
simple commands, or instructions, or steps to follow. Whenever we need to
make a decision, we use an "IF". Whenever we need to do something
several times, we use a "REPEAT". These are the teachings of the map.
This is Einstein's code.
And Miruna founded a school: School of computer programmers. Wizard
Merloni was appointed professor.
He will teach children Martians language, ie C + +.
Thank you for reading my first ebook.
Prof. Boroghina Bogdan – Romania
www.cursuriploiesti.ro
office@cursuriploiesti.ro