To change the speed of the Turtle in Small Basic, you utilize the Speed property of the Turtle object, setting it to a value between 1 and 10.
Controlling Turtle Speed with the Speed Property
The Turtle object in Small Basic includes a Speed property that allows you to dictate how quickly the Turtle draws and moves across the graphics window. This property is crucial for controlling the pace of your animations and drawings.
- To set the speed, assign a numerical value to
Turtle.Speed. - The valid range for the speed value is from 1 to 10.
- A value of 1 represents the slowest speed, allowing for detailed observation of the Turtle's path.
- A value of 10 represents the fastest speed, ideal for quick animations or when you want the drawing to complete rapidly.
Example: Adjusting Turtle Movement Speed
Here's a simple Small Basic program demonstrating how to set the Turtle's speed and observe its effect:
' Set the background color and show the Turtle
GraphicsWindow.BackgroundColor = "LightBlue"
Turtle.Show()
' Set a moderate speed for the Turtle
Turtle.Speed = 5
Turtle.Move(100)
Turtle.TurnRight()
Turtle.Move(50)
' Change to a faster speed
Turtle.Speed = 10
Turtle.Move(100)
Turtle.TurnRight()
Turtle.Move(50)
' Change to a slower speed
Turtle.Speed = 1
Turtle.Move(100)
Turtle.TurnRight()
Turtle.Move(50)In this example, you can observe the Turtle moving at three different speeds within the same program, showcasing the flexibility of the Speed property.
Understanding Speed Levels
The speed value directly influences the animation pace, with higher numbers resulting in quicker movements. Below is a quick guide to common speed settings:
| Speed Value | Description | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Slowest | Detailed observation, step-by-step learning |
| 2-4 | Slow to Moderate | Demonstrations, controlled drawing |
| 5-7 | Medium to Fast | Balanced drawing speed |
| 8-9 | Fast | Efficient drawing, dynamic animations |
| 10 | Fastest | Rapid rendering, smooth animations |
Best Practices and Tips
- Experimentation is Key: Try different speed values to find the one that best suits your project's needs.
- For Fast Animations: If you want the Turtle to draw quickly and smoothly, always set
Turtle.Speed = 10. This provides the most fluid animation. - For Learning or Debugging: When you're first learning how the Turtle moves or trying to debug complex drawing logic, setting a lower speed (e.g.,
Turtle.Speed = 1or2) can help you visualize each step. - Dynamic Changes: You can change the Turtle's speed at any point in your program. This allows for dynamic animations where the drawing pace can vary based on different program stages or user input.
For more information on the Small Basic Turtle and other programming concepts, you can refer to the official Microsoft Small Basic documentation.
