Tutorial

Hello World

In computer programming there is a tradition that the first program you ever write in a new language is one which simply prints 'Hello World' onto the screen, so this is what we are going to do with Wordz. You can use the checkboxes by each stage to remember where you are, by checking each stage as you complete it.

1. Create a new file.

Go to the file menu and click on New > File.

2. Create a Word Bank.

Go to the file menu and click on New > Word Bank.
When you are asked for a name for the new Word Bank, type in 'Hello' and click OK.
the Word Bank should appear in the Browser list and a Word Bank window will open. Click on the title bar of the Word Bank window to select it. You should see a menu appear called 'Word Bank'.

3. Add some words.

Go to the Word Bank menu and click on Add Multiple...
A small window entitled 'Add words' should appear beneath the word bank window.
Type the following words into the text box, clicking on the button marked 'Add' after each line:

hello
good morning
good afternoon
hi
ciao
yo

The words should appear in the word bank window.

4. Create a sentence.

Go to the file menu and click on New > Sentence.

When you are asked for a name for the new sentence, type in 'Hello world' and click OK. A Sentence window will open.

5. Add a word bank to the sentence.

In the list on the browser window, you should be able to see your word bank called 'Hello'. If you can't see it, try pressing the 'Word Bank' button on the Browser toolbar. It's the blue one on the right. Once you can see your word bank, click on its icon and drag it across to the sentence window, dropping it somewhere below the item called 'Start'. It should appear as a blue box labelled '2: Hello'.

6. Add a text item to the sentence.

Now click the Text button on the Browser toolbar. It's the red one in the middle.
You should be able to see an item called 'New Text Item'. Click on its icon and drag it onto your sentence just below the blue box labelled '2: Hello'. It should appear as a white box labelled '3: New Text Item'.

7. Edit the text item.

Double-click on the white box. A new window will open called 'Edit Sentence Item'. Click to get a cursor on the text which says 'New Text Item', delete that text and type in 'World' then press the Apply button. The label on the white box should now read '3: World'.

8. Link up the sentence.

In the sentence window, right-click on the yellow box labelled '1:Start'. From the pop-up menu, click on 'Link to...'. A black line will now extend from this item. Point at the item labelled '2:Hello' and right-click again. This time, click on 'Link to here'. The line will now join the two boxes. Repeat this process to connect '2:Hello' to '3:World'.

9. Test your sentence.

On the Browser toolbar, click on the Sentence button, it's the green one second from the right. You should see your sentence in the list. Right-click on its icon and click on 'Test' on the pop-up menu. You should see a window open with your sentence randomly changing on it.

10. Save your work.

Before doing anything else, remember to save your file as there is nothing worse than losing your hard work! Click on the file menu, click on 'Save As...' and save your file with whatever name you choose.

Now might be a good time to look at some of the examples supplied with Wordz.