Java Fun and Games

Java Fun and Games

Java Fun and Games: Explore the geometry of nature
Enhance your Java games with math-based fractals that imitate nature's geometry.
Jeff Friesen, June 2007

Javalution
Third-party products that extend the Java language or migrate legacy source code to Java (resulting in software that is part Java and part non-Java) contribute to Java's evolution—or Javalution (my terminology). This installment of Java Fun and Games introduces two such products: the Infiqs macro expander, which simplifies big decimal arithmetic, and the Snobol3 language interpreter, which merges Snobol3 with Java. Note: You can now build and run the applets presented in Java Fun and Games using DevSquare, an online development tool. Read the user guide available in Resources to get started.
Jeff Friesen, July 2006

Simulate fuzzy phenomena with particle systems
Computer graphics relies on polygon-based techniques to model and render classical geometry (cubes, cones, and other solids). The geometry of natural phenomena, such as fire, requires a different technique—particle systems. This Java Fun and Games installment introduces you to particle systems and presents particle system software with three examples that simulate explosion rings, fireworks explosions, and vapor trails. Note: You can now build and run the applets presented in Java Fun and Games using DevSquare, an online development tool. Read the user guide available in Resources to get started.
Jeff Friesen, May 2006

Capture the screen
This Java Fun And Games installment presents a utility for capturing the primary screen device's contents via Java's Robot class, and saving either the entire screen capture or a selected portion of that screen capture to a jpeg file. Note: You can now build and run the applets presented in Java Fun and Games using DevSquare, an online development tool. Read the user guide available in Resources to get started.
Jeff Friesen, April 2006

Square off
It's about time that Java Fun and Games introduced you to a computer game. In this installment, Jeff Friesen presents his Java-based game called Squares. Note: You can now build and run the applets presented in Java Fun and Games using DevSquare, an online development tool. Read the user guide available in Resources to get started.
Jeff Friesen, March 2006

Travel through time with Java
Time travel fascinates many people. You do not need a wormhole (or some other exotic device) to travel through time. This unusual installment of Java Fun and Games presents a simple computer-based technique for accomplishing time travel. Although almost any computer language could be used to implement this technique, Java offers two important capabilities that simplify the technique's implementation. Discover these capabilities as you get ready to visit the past or one of many possible futures. Note: You can now build and run the applets presented in Java Fun and Games using DevSquare, an online development tool. Read the user guide available in Resources to get started.
Jeff Friesen, February 2006

Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
The holiday season has arrived. This Java Fun and Games installment celebrates the season by presenting an applet that animates a gentle snowfall while playing a Christmas classic, "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" It also challenges you to fix a small problem with this applet. (900 words; December 26, 2005) Note: You can now build and run the applets presented in Java Fun and Games using DevSquare, an online development tool. Read the user guide available in Resources to get started.
Jeff Friesen, December 2005

The knight's tour
Chess provides many interesting diversions that aren't related to playing that game. One of those diversions is the knight's tour. This installment of Java Fun and Games introduces you to the knight's tour and then presents an applet that allows you to observe that tour.
Jeff Friesen, November 2005

Add music to your games with Javano
If you have ever wanted to create your own music editor for composing computer-game music, this Java Fun and Games installment may be of some help. It presents a simple Java applet—Javano—that can serve as the basis for that music editor.
Jeff Friesen, October 2005

Add spice to your splash screen with animation
No doubt about it, animation is neat—what programmer hasn't thought about creating his own game? You can satisfy your creative streak by adding a little animation to your splash screen to grab your users' attentions as soon as they start your application. In this article, you'll learn how to create a dynamic splash screen in Java. The characters on the splash screen will fly in from all sides falling into place to reveal the desired image. To make the view realistic, you'll incorporate a little physics along the way.
Michael Bangham, October 2005

Kaleidoscopes
Tube-based kaleidoscopes enchant people through the symmetric and colorful designs that are revealed as their tubes rotate. Many computer programs, including Java applets, have been created to reveal this symmetry. After identifying one of these applets, this installment of Java Fun and Games introduces two more kaleidoscope applets that you can play with.
Jeff Friesen, September 2005

Checker dragging
Creating a checkers game presents many challenges. This installment of Java Fun and Games focuses on the challenge of dragging a checker around a checkerboard. It emphasizes the elimination of screen flicker.
Jeff Friesen, August 2005

Let the games begin
Over the years, I've had a lot of fun with Java. Java Fun and Games is a new column that shares some of the pleasure I've experienced while playing with this technology. This first installment prepares you for a journey into my world of Java-based entertainment.
Jeff Friesen, July 2005