Consistent instructions and examples

I started off with "hints" that required the poor student to piece
together the information from incomplete bits. A complete example is
like a picture that is worth 1000 words and far clearer.
This commit is contained in:
Dave Gauer 2021-02-07 11:06:51 -05:00
parent 507355ec3b
commit adf5ddb27d
16 changed files with 185 additions and 89 deletions

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@ -2,11 +2,17 @@
// Oh no! This program is supposed to print "Hello world!" but it needs // Oh no! This program is supposed to print "Hello world!" but it needs
// your help! // your help!
// //
// Hint: Zig functions are private by default.
// The main() function should be public.
// Declare a public function with "pub fn ..."
// //
// Try to fix the program and run `ziglings` to see if it passes. // Zig functions are private by default but the main() function should
// be public.
//
// A function is declared public with the "pub" statement like so:
//
// pub fn foo() void {
// ...
// }
//
// Try to fix the program and run `ziglings` to see if it works!
// //
const std = @import("std"); const std = @import("std");

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@ -2,13 +2,16 @@
// Oops! This program is supposed to print a line like our Hello World // Oops! This program is supposed to print a line like our Hello World
// example. But we forgot how to import the Zig Standard Library. // example. But we forgot how to import the Zig Standard Library.
// //
// Hint 1: The @import() built-in function returns a value representing // The @import() function is built into Zig. It returns a value which
// imported code. We need to give that value a name to use it. // represents the imported code. It's a good idea to store the import as
// Hint 2: We use the name "std" in the main function (see below). // a constant value with the same name as the import:
// Hint 3: Imports need to be named by declaring them as "const" values.
// Hint 4: Take a look at how the previous exercise did this!
// //
@import("std"); // const foo = @import("foo");
//
// Please complete the import below:
//
??? = @import("std");
pub fn main() void { pub fn main() void {
std.debug.print("Standard Library.\n", .{}); std.debug.print("Standard Library.\n", .{});

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@ -1,14 +1,32 @@
// //
// Oh dear! It seems we got a little carried away making const u8 values. // It seems we got a little carried away making everything "const u8"!
// * const means constant (cannot be changed)
// * u8 means unsigned (cannot be negative), 8-bit integer
// //
// Hint 1: Use 'var' for values that can change. // "const" values cannot change.
// Hint 2: Use enough bits to hold the value you want: // "u" types are "unsigned" and cannot store negative values.
// u8 255 // "8" means the type is 8 bits in size.
// u16 65,535 //
// u32 4,294,967,295 // Example: foo cannot change (it is CONSTant)
// Hint 3: Use 'i' (e.g. 'i8', 'i16') for signed integers. // bar can change (it is VARiable):
//
// const foo: u8 = 20;
// var bar: u8 = 20;
//
// Example: foo cannot be negative and can hold 0 to 255
// bar CAN be negative and can hold 128 to 127
//
// const foo: u8 = 20;
// var bar: i8 = -20;
//
// Example: foo can hold 8 bits (0 to 255)
// bar can hold 16 bits (0 to 65,535)
//
// You can do just about any combination of these that you can think of:
//
// u32 can hold 0 to 4,294,967,295
// i64 can hold 9,223,372,036,854,775,808 to 9,223,372,036,854,775,807
//
// Please fix this program so that the types can hold the desired values
// and the errors go away!
// //
const std = @import("std"); const std = @import("std");

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@ -1,31 +1,49 @@
// //
// Let's learn some array basics. Arrays are declared with: // Let's learn some array basics. Arrays are declared with:
// //
// const foo [size]<type> = [size]<type>{ values }; // var foo [3]u32 = [3]u32{ 42, 108, 5423 };
// //
// When Zig can infer the size of the array, you can use '_' for the // When Zig can infer the size of the array, you can use '_' for the
// size. You can also let Zig infer the type of the value so the // size. You can also let Zig infer the type of the value so the
// declaration is much less verbose. // declaration is much less verbose.
// //
// const foo = [_]<type>{ values }; // var foo = [_]u32{ 42, 108, 5423 };
//
// Get values of an array using array[index] notation:
//
// const bar = foo[3]; // 5423
//
// Set values of an array using array[index] notation:
//
// foo[3] = 16;
//
// Get the length of an array using the len property:
//
// const length = foo.len;
// //
const std = @import("std"); const std = @import("std");
pub fn main() void { pub fn main() void {
// (Problem 1)
// This "const" is going to cause a problem later - can you see what it is?
// How do we fix it?
const some_primes = [_]u8{ 1, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19 }; const some_primes = [_]u8{ 1, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19 };
// Individual values can be set with '[]' notation. Let's fix // Individual values can be set with '[]' notation.
// the first prime (it should be 2!): // Example: This line changes the first prime to 2 (which is correct):
some_primes[0] = 2; some_primes[0] = 2;
// Individual values can also be accessed with '[]' notation. // Individual values can also be accessed with '[]' notation.
// Example: This line stores the first prime in "first":
const first = some_primes[0]; const first = some_primes[0];
// Looks like we need to complete this expression (like 'first'): // (Problem 2)
const fourth = ???; // Looks like we need to complete this expression. Use the example
// above to set "fourth" to the fourth element of the some_primes array:
const fourth = some_primes[???];
// Use '.len' to get the length of the array: // (Problem 3)
// Use the len property to get the length of the array:
const length = some_primes.???; const length = some_primes.???;
std.debug.print("First: {}, Fourth: {}, Length: {}\n", std.debug.print("First: {}, Fourth: {}, Length: {}\n",

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@ -2,12 +2,14 @@
// Zig has some fun array operators. // Zig has some fun array operators.
// //
// You can use '++' to concatenate two arrays: // You can use '++' to concatenate two arrays:
//
// const a = [_]u8{ 1,2 }; // const a = [_]u8{ 1,2 };
// const b = [_]u8{ 3,4 }; // const b = [_]u8{ 3,4 };
// const c = a ++ b ++ [_]u8{ 5 }; // 1,2,3,4,5 // const c = a ++ b ++ [_]u8{ 5 }; // equals 1 2 3 4 5
// //
// You can use '**' to repeat an array: // You can use '**' to repeat an array:
// const d = [_]u8{ 1,2,3 } ** 2; // 1,2,3,1,2,3 //
// const d = [_]u8{ 1,2,3 } ** 2; // equals 1 2 3 1 2 3
// //
const std = @import("std"); const std = @import("std");
@ -15,15 +17,20 @@ pub fn main() void {
const le = [_]u8{ 1, 3 }; const le = [_]u8{ 1, 3 };
const et = [_]u8{ 3, 7 }; const et = [_]u8{ 3, 7 };
// I want this to contain digits: 1 3 3 7 // (Problem 1)
// Please set this array concatenating the two arrays above.
// It should result in: 1 3 3 7
const leet = ???; const leet = ???;
// I want this to contain digits: 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 // (Problem 2)
// Please set this array to using repetition.
// It should result in: 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 1
const bit_pattern = [_]u8{ ??? } ** 3; const bit_pattern = [_]u8{ ??? } ** 3;
// Okay, that's all of the problems. Let's see the results.
//
// We could print these arrays with leet[0], leet[1],...but let's // We could print these arrays with leet[0], leet[1],...but let's
// have a little preview of Zig 'for' loops instead! // have a little preview of Zig "for" loops instead:
std.debug.print("LEET: ", .{}); std.debug.print("LEET: ", .{});
for (leet) |*n| { for (leet) |*n| {

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@ -3,38 +3,46 @@
// //
// We've already seen Zig string literals: "Hello world.\n" // We've already seen Zig string literals: "Hello world.\n"
// //
// Like the C language, Zig stores strings as arrays of bytes // Zig stores strings as arrays of bytes.
// encoded as UTF-8 characters terminated with a null value. //
// For now, just focus on the fact that strings are arrays of // const foo = "Hello";
// characters! //
// Is the same as:
//
// const foo = [_]u8{ 'H', 'e', 'l', 'l', 'o' };
// //
const std = @import("std"); const std = @import("std");
pub fn main() void { pub fn main() void {
const ziggy = "stardust"; const ziggy = "stardust";
// (Problem 1)
// Use array square bracket syntax to get the letter 'd' from // Use array square bracket syntax to get the letter 'd' from
// the string "stardust" above. // the string "stardust" above.
const d: u8 = ziggy[???]; const d: u8 = ziggy[???];
// (Problem 2)
// Use the array repeat '**' operator to make "ha ha ha". // Use the array repeat '**' operator to make "ha ha ha".
const laugh = "ha " ???; const laugh = "ha " ???;
// (Problem 3)
// Use the array concatenation '++' operator to make "Major Tom". // Use the array concatenation '++' operator to make "Major Tom".
// (You'll need to add a space as well!) // (You'll need to add a space as well!)
const major = "Major"; const major = "Major";
const tom = "Tom"; const tom = "Tom";
const major_tom = major ??? tom; const major_tom = major ??? tom;
// That's all the problems. Let's see our results:
std.debug.print("d={u} {}{}\n",.{d, laugh, major_tom}); std.debug.print("d={u} {}{}\n",.{d, laugh, major_tom});
// Going deeper: //
// Keen eyes will notice that we've put a 'u' inside the '{}' // Keen eyes will notice that we've put a 'u' inside the '{}'
// placeholder in the format string above. This tells the // placeholder in the format string above. This tells the
// print() function (which uses std.fmt.format() function) to // print() function to format the values as a UTF-8 character.
// print out a UTF-8 character. Otherwise we'd see '100', which // If we didn't do this, we'd see '100', which is the decimal
// is the decimal number corresponding with the 'd' character // number corresponding with the 'd' character in UTF-8.
// in UTF-8. //
// While we're on this subject, 'c' (ASCII encoded character) // While we're on this subject, 'c' (ASCII encoded character)
// would work in place for 'u' because the first 128 characters // would work in place for 'u' because the first 128 characters
// of UTF-8 are the same as ASCII! // of UTF-8 are the same as ASCII!
//
} }

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@ -1,19 +1,19 @@
// //
// Now we get into the fun stuff, starting with the 'if' statement! // Now we get into the fun stuff, starting with the 'if' statement!
// //
// if (true) { // if (true) {
// // stuff // ...
// } else { // } else {
// // other stuff // ...
// } // }
// //
// Zig has the usual comparison operators such as: // Zig has the "usual" comparison operators such as:
// //
// a == b a equals b // a == b means "a equals b"
// a < b a is less than b // a < b means "a is less than b"
// a !=b a does not equal b // a !=b means "a does not equal b"
// //
// The important thing about Zig's 'if' is that it *only* accepts // The important thing about Zig's "if" is that it *only* accepts
// boolean values. It won't coerce numbers or other types of data // boolean values. It won't coerce numbers or other types of data
// to true and false. // to true and false.
// //
@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ const std = @import("std");
pub fn main() void { pub fn main() void {
const foo = 1; const foo = 1;
// Please fix this condition:
if (foo) { if (foo) {
// We want out program to print this message! // We want out program to print this message!
std.debug.print("Foo is 1!\n", .{}); std.debug.print("Foo is 1!\n", .{});

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@ -1,17 +1,22 @@
// //
// If statements are also valid expressions: // If statements are also valid expressions:
// //
// foo = if (a) 2 else 3; // var foo: u8 = if (a) 2 else 3;
// //
// Note: you'll need to declare a variable type when assigning a value // Note: You'll need to declare a variable type when assigning a value
// from a statement like this because the compiler isn't smart enough // from a statement like this because the compiler isn't smart enough
// to infer the type for you. // to infer the type for you.
// //
// This WON'T work:
//
// var foo = if (a) 2 else 3; // error!
//
const std = @import("std"); const std = @import("std");
pub fn main() void { pub fn main() void {
var discount = true; var discount = true;
// Please use an if...else expression to set "price".
// If discount is true, the price should be $17, otherwise $20: // If discount is true, the price should be $17, otherwise $20:
var price = if ???; var price = if ???;

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@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
// //
// Zig 'while' statements create a loop that runs while the // Zig 'while' statements create a loop that runs while the
// condition is true: // condition is true. This runs once (at most):
// //
// while (condition) { // while (condition) {
// condition = false; // condition = false;
@ -10,16 +10,17 @@
// that we can get a boolean value from conditional operators // that we can get a boolean value from conditional operators
// such as: // such as:
// //
// a == b a equals b // a == b means "a equals b"
// a < b a is less than b // a < b means "a is less than b"
// a > b a is greater than b // a > b means "a is greater than b"
// a !=b a does not equal b // a !=b means "a does not equal b"
// //
const std = @import("std"); const std = @import("std");
pub fn main() void { pub fn main() void {
var n: u32 = 2; var n: u32 = 2;
// Please use a condition that is true UNTIL "n" reaches 1024:
while ( ??? ){ while ( ??? ){
// Print the current number // Print the current number
std.debug.print("{} ", .{n}); std.debug.print("{} ", .{n});
@ -28,6 +29,6 @@ pub fn main() void {
n *= 2; n *= 2;
} }
// Make this print n=1024 // Once the above is correct, this will print "n=1024"
std.debug.print("n={}\n", .{n}); std.debug.print("n={}\n", .{n});
} }

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@ -23,11 +23,13 @@ const std = @import("std");
pub fn main() void { pub fn main() void {
var n: u32 = 2; var n: u32 = 2;
// Please set the continue expression so that we get the desired
// results in the print statement below.
while (n < 1000) : ??? { while (n < 1000) : ??? {
// Print the current number // Print the current number
std.debug.print("{} ", .{n}); std.debug.print("{} ", .{n});
} }
// Make this print n=1024 // As in the last exercise, we want this to result in "n=1024"
std.debug.print("n={}\n", .{n}); std.debug.print("n={}\n", .{n});
} }

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@ -6,12 +6,13 @@
// Example: // Example:
// //
// while (condition) : (continue expression){ // while (condition) : (continue expression){
//
// if(other condition) continue; // if(other condition) continue;
// ... //
// } // }
// //
// The continue expression executes even when 'other condition' // The "continue expression" executes every time the loop restarts
// is true and the loop is restarted by the 'continue' statement. // whether the "continue" statement happens or not.
// //
const std = @import("std"); const std = @import("std");

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@ -1,20 +1,22 @@
// //
// Continue expressions do NOT execute when a while loop stops // You can force a loop to exit immediately with a "break" statement:
// because of a 'break' statement.
//
// Example:
// //
// while (condition) : (continue expression){ // while (condition) : (continue expression){
//
// if(other condition) break; // if(other condition) break;
// ... //
// } // }
// //
// Continue expressions do NOT execute when a while loop stops
// because of a break!
//
const std = @import("std"); const std = @import("std");
pub fn main() void { pub fn main() void {
var n: u32 = 1; var n: u32 = 1;
// Oh dear! This while loop will go forever!? // Oh dear! This while loop will go forever!?
// Please fix this so the print statement below gives the desired output.
while (true) : (n+=1) { while (true) : (n+=1) {
if(???) ???; if(???) ???;
} }

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@ -1,10 +1,11 @@
// //
// Behold the 'for' loop! It lets you execute code for each // Behold the 'for' loop! It lets you execute code for each
// member of an array (and things called 'slices' which we'll // member of an array:
// get to in a bit).
// //
// for (items) |item| { // for (items) |item| {
//
// // Do something with item // // Do something with item
//
// } // }
// //
const std = @import("std"); const std = @import("std");
@ -22,3 +23,6 @@ pub fn main() void {
std.debug.print("The End.\n", .{}); std.debug.print("The End.\n", .{});
} }
//
// Note that "for" loops also work on things called "slices"
// which we'll see later.

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@ -3,9 +3,15 @@
// number starting with 0 that counts up with each iteration: // number starting with 0 that counts up with each iteration:
// //
// for (items) |item, index| { // for (items) |item, index| {
//
// // Do something with item and index // // Do something with item and index
//
// } // }
// //
// You can name "item" and "index" anything you want. "i" is a popular
// shortening of "index". The item name is often the singular form of
// the items you're looping through.
//
const std = @import("std"); const std = @import("std");
pub fn main() void { pub fn main() void {
@ -15,9 +21,9 @@ pub fn main() void {
var value: u32 = 0; var value: u32 = 0;
// Now we'll convert the binary bits to a number value by adding // Now we'll convert the binary bits to a number value by adding
// the value of the place as a power of two for each bit. See if // the value of the place as a power of two for each bit.
// you can figure out the missing piece:
// //
// See if you can figure out the missing piece:
for (bits) |bit, ???| { for (bits) |bit, ???| {
var place_value = std.math.pow(u32, 2, @intCast(u32, i)); var place_value = std.math.pow(u32, 2, @intCast(u32, i));
value += place_value * bit; value += place_value * bit;

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@ -1,5 +1,18 @@
// //
// Functions! FUNctions! FUN! // Functions! We've already seen a lot of one called "main()". Now let's try
// writing one of our own:
//
// fn foo(n: u8) u8 {
// return n+1;
// }
//
// The foo() function above takes a number "n" and returns a number that is
// larger by one.
//
// If your function doesn't take any parameters and doesn't return anything,
// it would be defined like main():
//
// fn foo() void { }
// //
const std = @import("std"); const std = @import("std");
@ -11,12 +24,10 @@ pub fn main() void {
} }
// //
// We're just missing a couple things here. One thing we're NOT missing is the // Please define the deepThought() function below.
// keyword "pub", which is not needed here. Can you guess why?
// //
// Functions need to specify the type of value they return. The main() function // We're just missing a couple things. One thing we're NOT missing is the
// above has a special return type "void", which means it returns nothing. This // keyword "pub", which is not needed here. Can you guess why?
// function returns something. What might that be?
// //
??? deepThought() ??? { ??? deepThought() ??? {
return 42; // Number courtesy Douglas Adams return 42; // Number courtesy Douglas Adams

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@ -1,5 +1,11 @@
// //
// Now let's use a function that takes a parameter. // Now let's create a function that takes a parameter. Here's an
// example that takes two parameters. As you can see, parameters
// are declared just like an other types ("name": "type"):
//
// fn myFunction( number: u8, is_lucky: bool ) {
// ...
// }
// //
const std = @import( "std" ); const std = @import( "std" );
@ -13,16 +19,13 @@ pub fn main() void {
} }
// //
// Oops! We seem to have forgotten something here. Function // Please give this function the correct input parameter(s).
// parameters look like this: // You'll need to figure out the parameter name and type that we're
// // expecting. The output type has already been specified for you.
// fn myFunction( number: u8, is_lucky: bool ) {
// ...
// }
//
// As you can see, we declare the type of the parameter, just
// like we declare the types of variables, with a colon ":".
// //
fn twoToThe(???) u32 { fn twoToThe(???) u32 {
return std.math.pow(u32, 2, my_number); return std.math.pow(u32, 2, my_number);
// std.math.pow(type, a, b) takes a numeric type and two numbers
// of that type and returns "a to the power of b" as that same
// numeric type.
} }