Assignment 1 2021
FIT2102 Programming Paradigms 2021
Assignment 1: Functional Reactive Programming
Due Date: 10/09/2021
Weighting: 30% of your final mark for the unit
Overview. Students will work independently to create a classic arcade game using Functional
Reactive Programming (FRP) techniques. Programs will be implemented in TypeScript and will
use RxJS Observable streams to handle animation and user interaction. Programs should
demonstrate a good understanding of functional programming techniques as explored in the first
five weeks of the course and should include written documentation of the design and features.
Submission instructions. A .zip file named studentNo_name.zip which should extract to
a folder named studentNo_name. Do not submit the node_modules or dist folder. It should
contain all the code for your program along with all the supporting files as well as the report. It
should include sufficient documentation that we can appreciate everything you have done. You
also need to include a report describing your design decisions. The report must be named
studentNo_name.pdf. The only external library should be RxJS libraries supplied with the
starter code. Make sure the code you submit executes properly.
Task description
In this assignment we will use the RxJS Observable stream explored in the Week 4 worksheet
to create the classic Space Invaders game (YouTube) in an SVG image hosted in the
spaceInvaders.html webpage. The YouTube video is meant to give you an idea of the basic
gameplay, but yours needn’t look the same or work in precisely the same way. You will also
need to write a report detailing the design of your game. The baseline functionality required for a
passing grade, what needs to be included in your report and a list of alternative ideas for
achieving an HD, are listed below.
Minimum requirements. All of these requirements must be reasonably executed to achieve a
passing grade (detailed marking rubric below).
– Implement a one-player Space Invaders game with a spaceship movable by mouse
(while the mouse cursor is over the svg canvas) or by keyboard.
– Rows of aliens should appear and move across and down the screen.
– The aliens should fire bullets at the user. If the user is hit by one bullet, the user will die
and the game will end
– Indicate the score for the player.
– A 1-2 page PDF report detailing your design decisions and use of functional
programming techniques discussed in the course notes.
Full Game:
– Meets minimum requirements
– The user has shields, which disintegrate over collisions
– Smooth and usable game play.
– Able to restart when game finishes
– The game progresses to a new level after all aliens are shot
– See video for an idea of appropriate gameplay
All the above need to be implemented in a good functional reactive programming style to get a
good grade. To get a higher grade you have to use a little creativity and add some functionality
of your own choice — suggestions below.
Ideas for getting an HD. Any one or more of the following (or something of your own devising
with a similar degree of complexity) done well (on top of the basic functionality described above)
will earn you an HD provided it is implemented using the functional programming ideas we have
covered in lectures and tutes:
– Create unit tests and create a file tests/main.test.js
– Incorporate gameplay from other classic arcade games — e.g., breakout, galaga, etc.
– Add power-ups to the game — larger shields, slower aliens, faster spaceship, etc.
– Add combination bonuses, e.g if you hit 5 aliens in a row.
– Advanced (not recommended unless you already know how): Make a distributed
multiplayer version, wrapping the comms in Observable (you’ll have to provide your own
server for this).
– Your own ideas!
Some of the above will require a little independent research. That’s what computer science is all
about!
Report. Your report should be 1- 2 pages in length, plus up to one page per extension, where
you should:
– Include basic report formatting headings/paragraphs
– Include diagrams as necessary.
– Summarise the workings of the code and highlight the interesting parts.
– Give a high level overview of your design decisions and justification.
– Explain how you tried to follow the FRP style.
– How you manage state throughout your game.
Marking. The goal of this assignment is to assess your understanding of FRP. The marking is
done in two parts.
1. Implementation of game features.
2. Use and understanding of proper functional programming style.
The idea here is that adding features to Space Invaders will grant you a higher grade under the
condition that it is done in proper Functional and FRP style. For an example of the proper style,
refer to the example Asteroids Game described in the Course Notes. Code that does not use
Observable will not get a passing grade; code which relies on imperative code will be penalised.
To achieve a mark in the HD range you need to implement a complete Space Invaders game
with good style and a choice few additional features, as above.
Additional information
Similar to the tutorial exercises we will provide you with a starter project which you can
download in a zip file from Moodle that contains:
– spaceInvaders.html currently just an empty SVG object. Your Space Invaders game
goes here! Add instruction text to the page to explain how to play your Space Invaders
game. Make sure the instructions are sufficient that we can properly try out all of your
features.
– spaceInvaders.ts source code for your Space Invaders game. This is where most of
your work will go.
Tips for getting started.
https://tgdwyer.github.io/asteroids/
– Complete the Week 4 Tutorial Worksheet Observable exercises and begin studying
Observable in the course notes.
– In week 5 Tutorial you will complete observableexamples.ts
– Once you have completed the above, work through the example Asteroids Game
described in the Course Notes. Follow the same framework to begin adding functionality
to spaceInvaders.ts as above.
More tips.
– Finish all the JavaScript and TypeScript tutes (up to the first part of Week 5) and the
course notes FRP material first. They are designed to give you the experience you need
to prepare for this assignment.
– Come to the workshops and tutes for important tips and assistance.
– Attend consultations given by the teaching team.
– Any general questions should be directed to the Ed forums when possible. However, try
to avoid posting potential solutions. If you cannot make the consultations, you may make
a private post with Staff on the assignment with code.
– Your code should include brief comments to explain logic and design choices where
necessary or to refer to detailed explanations in your report. Please do not add
comments that are self evident from the code, e.g.:
– const x = 1; // variable x is set to 1.
– Start as soon as possible. Do not leave the assignment until it’s too late.
Recommended coding practises.
– Structure your program in a consistent and coherent manner (group relevant functions,
declarations, and variables together)
– Use block/section comments to clearly layout each part of your code
– Use nice indenting and formatting (can look into formatters if you wish prettier beautify)
– Use camelCase for names and UPPER_CASE for constants
Plagiarism. We will be checking your code against the rest of the class and the internet using a
plagiarism checker. Monash applies strict penalties to students who are found to have
committed plagiarism.
Marking rubric
It is important to realise that, as stated above:
– If you implement the Minimum requirements above, demonstrating application of
functional programming ideas from our lectures and tutes, you will achieve a pass grade.
– You can receive up to a D for perfectly implementing the Minimum requirements,
demonstrating a thorough understanding of how to use Observable to write clean, clear
functional UI code.
– To achieve a HD you will need to implement the Full game requirements
https://tgdwyer.github.io/functionalreactiveprogramming/
https://tgdwyer.github.io/asteroids/
https://tgdwyer.github.io/asteroids/
https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=esbenp.prettier-vscode
https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=HookyQR.beautify
– To achieve the maximum possible marks you will need to implement the full game
requirements plus some aspect of additional functionality as described above.
Rubric table.
Code/Report quality Space Invaders implementation
Minimum
requirements
Full game Full game
+ extension(s)
Any of the following are not acceptable:
– Use of imperative code
– TypeScript compile errors
– `any` types
– Not using rx.js
– No comments
– Missing or unreadable report
– Missing instructions for how to
play the game
Not passing. Not passing. Not passing.
Pure functional code (except in
`subscribe` handlers), no compile errors,
basic comments, basic report covering
the implemented features.
P C C
The code leverages Observable, has
generic types, and side-effects are
identified; comments only describe the
code. In addition to covering the
implemented features, the report
demonstrates basic understanding of
FRP principles.
C D D
Small pure functions, immutable data
and reusable code exploiting parametric
polymorphism, side-effects are
contained; complete comments
explaining the rationale and choices for
the code. Detailed report of implemented
features that demonstrates strong
understanding of Functional
Programming and FRP.
D HD (80-90) HD (90+)