Custom Blocks

Learning Objectives Define what a custom block is and why it is useful for organizing code. Create a new custom block with a clear, descriptive name. Add a sequence of commands inside a custom block's definition. 'call' or use their custom block multiple times within a main script. Create a custom block that accepts an input, or 'parameter', to make it more flexible. Refactor existing code by moving repeated sequences into a custom block. Have you ever wished you could invent your own coding block to do a special job, like drawing a perfect star or making a character do a cool dance move? inventing your own blocks! In this lesson, you will learn how to create and use 'Custom Blocks'. These are special blocks that you design yourself to ho...

TermDefinitionExample Custom BlockA block that you create and name yourself. It holds a sequence of other coding blocks inside it.You could create a `drawHouse` block that contains all the `move`, `turn`, and `pen down` blocks needed to draw a house shape. DefineThe process of creating a new custom block and teaching the computer what steps it should perform. This is where you put the code that the block will run.You would 'define' the `drawHouse` block by dragging the drawing commands into its special definition area. CallThe act of using your custom block in your main program. When you 'call' a block, you are telling the computer to run the code you placed inside its definition.In your main script, you would drag your new `drawHouse` block out from the menu to make y...

Define, Then Call You must first DEFINE what a custom block does before you can CALL it in your script. The computer needs to learn the 'recipe' (the definition) before it can 'bake the cake' (run the block). Always create the custom block and add code to its definition hat block first. Descriptive Naming Give your custom blocks clear, action-based names. A name like `drawStar` is much better than `block1` or `doStuff`. This makes your code easy for you and others to understand later. Using Parameters To make a block flexible, add a parameter in its definition. Then, use the parameter variable inside the block's script. When you define a block like `drawPolygon(sides, length)`, you can use the `sides` and `length` variables inside its loop. W...