Prototype-based programming is an advanced programming topic. This tool, Vsiual Zero, is based on the Zero programming system to help students learn to use objects without classes.

1. Learning object orientation
through a Visual tool
Baltasar García Perez-Schofield
Grupo SI1
CISTI 2008
Universidad de Vigo
http://trevinca.ei.uvigo.es/~jgarcia/TO/zero/
http://webs.uvigo.es/jbgarcia/

2. Summary
● A vehicle for learning object-oriented
programming.
● Pilars for achieving that objective:
– Persistent,
– Prototype-based,
– Interactive, visual programming.
● It has already been used in a number
graduate and undergraduate courses.

3. The basics of the system
● All object manipulation is done by
means of visual aids.
● Programming is interactive, results are
shown as soon as the programmatic
counterparts for the visual aids are
executed.
● Only code creation cannot be create
through visual means, but we do
actually want students to program.

4. The container inspector
● A container inspector makes it possible
to manage objects inside it.
– Create new objects.
– Manage existing objects.
– Delete objects.
– Make objects persistent:
● Orthogonal persistence.

5. The container inspector
● An object inspector makes it possible to
manage the characteristics of any object.

6. The object inspector
● An object inspector makes it possible to
manage the characteristics of any object.

7. Adding an attribute
● Users can easily add attributes, and
methods.

8. Adding a method
● A given method can be added, modified
and deleted.

9. Making objects persist (1)
● Containers can be created, as any object.

10. Making objects persist (2)
● Next, we link the desired object.

11. Learning object orientation
through a Visual tool
Baltasar García Perez-Schofield
Grupo SI1
CISTI 2008
Universidad de Vigo
http://trevinca.ei.uvigo.es/~jgarcia/TO/zero/
http://webs.uvigo.es/jbgarcia/