CS 390: 61-70 Fall 1999 Homework 6 - Expert Systems& Virtual Pests, Part II Due Date: Friday, Nov. 19 in lab

---

READING: 

The Analytical Engine, Chapter 9
JavaScript Goodies, Chapter 2

PURPOSE:

This is the second part of a multiple-part assignment. The purpose of the assignment is for you to gain experience with writing conditional statements, using random numbers, and using functions. For this part, you will design an HTML FORM and describe how the form will behave under different circumstances. For the second part, you will create the form and provide it with the specified behavior.

THE ASSIGNMENT:

You are required to use a word processor for all written answers.

1. The Analytical Engine, Labs 9.1 (Part 2), 9.4, 9.5. You may find these labs on the CD that accompanies the text, or at the web site created for the text.
   As is the case in our own class labs, you are to maintain a 'lab sheet' on which you record data. If a step requires you to answer a question, record the answer on your sheet. If a step requires you to observe something, record what you observed. If a step does not require you to record anything, indicate on your sheet that you completed the step. Unlike our own class labs, you are to use a word processor to record your results.
2. Virtual Pest problem (described below)

Virtual Pests, continued:

In the , you created a design for a "virtual pest". Your design consists of

• a user interface in the form of an HTML web page featuring form elements and pictures
• a finite-state machine describing
  • the various states in which your pest may find itself,
  • which states are directly reachable from each other state,
  • "transition rules" describing what causes the system to change from one state to another.
• a behavior specification showing in more detail how the pest's state is displayed on the user interface, how the owner's actions affect the pest, etc.

For this exercise, you are to implement the user interface (often referred to as a front end) and submit a program design for the HTML/JavaScript code necessary to implement your virtual pest. NOTE: You do not need to complete implementation of the pest for this assignment; you need only specify the code that needs to be written, as described below.

USER INTERFACE:

You are to create a user interface you described in your previous assignment, as a web page consisting of at least one HTML form with at least two text boxes, two buttons, and a picture. You may choose to include other form elements (pop-up menus, radio buttons, etc.) for extra credit.

You need to provide a brief written description on a separate sheet of paper that describes how the interface works. Think of this as a "user manual" for your virtual pest.

You should endeavor to match the original design as closely as possible - if you have decided to change or improve your original design, you need to describe the improvements in your user manual.

PROGRAM DESIGN:

Note that you are also to provide a preliminary program design for your virtual pest. This is to be done before you try to write the code. The program design contains the names of all functions you need to provide. It also provides verbal descriptions (not "JavaScript code") for each of the functions - what does the function do, what form elements does it change values for and under what conditions?

Your program should contain a "startup" function that is invoked when the page is loaded and which sets the initial state. It should also have a "display" function that changes values of form elements as appropriate according to the state. It should have a function that investigates the current state periodically (cycling by using "setTimeout()" as explained in lecture) and makes state transitions as described in your design. It should also have a function for each button you defined, which investigates the state and makes state transitions as described in your design. Each time the state is changed, your program will call the "display" function to update the form elements as needed. For instance, for the example given with Part I, illustrated through the finite state machine and behavior table shown below, there will be the following functions:

• "Display" which shows the value of the state, changes the value of "pet action" to "Wag Tail" or "Bite" as appropriate, and changes the value of "pet sound" to "Grrr..." or "Woof woof" as appropriate
• "Initialize" which is run automatically when the program is loaded, sets the state to "happy", then calls "Display".
• "Simulate" which examines the state, generates a random number, updates the state as appropriate, then calls "Simulate" again using the "setTimeout" function.
• "Pat" which is run when the "Pat Dog" button is pressed, updates the state as appropriate, then calls "Simulate" again using the "setTimeout" function.

Element	Type	Possible values	Meaning	Action
PetSound	text box	Grrr... Woof woof	state=angry state= lonely
OwnerHand	button		pat the dog	changes state to "provoked" if angry, and to "happy" if lonely.
PetAction	text box	Bite Wag Tail	state=provoked state= happy
...	...	...	...	...

WHAT TO HAND IN:

• Your cover sheet will be a "grading sheet" created for use with this assignment. Generate a grading sheet, input your own information, save it, and print it out.
• Print out your lab sheets from each of the labs.
• Print out your "user manual". Be sure to describe any features added for extra credit.
• Print out your virtual pest form.
• Print out your virtual pest "program design", which includes function descriptions for each function you will include in your program.
• YOU DO NOT HAVE TO HAND IN A DISKETTE FOR THIS ASSIGNMENT.

ACADEMIC HONESTY:

You must do this work yourself. If you need assistance with this aspect of the assignment, see a consultant during consulting hours. You are encouraged to seek any necessary help from other persons regarding how to use your computer and accompanying software, in accordance with the stated course policy.