
                 Roo&Robby/SchoolWorks Learning Environments
                            from Forware Systems

Roo is a half of the package which consists of two parts. Another part
is called Robby. The full package is available by mail upon registration.

Content:

0. Preface
1. The description of Roo&Robby package
2. The description of SchoolWorks package
3. About The Developer
4. Registration
5. Reference

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0. Preface


System requirements: IBM PC compatible with 640K RAM, EGA or better, 1 MB of 
disk space on HD or FD.

This version of the Roo Environment is being distributed as shareware. You may
freely copy and distribute it provided that:

1. No fee beyond normal media, duplication, and shipping costs may be charged.

2. Shareware vendors and computer user groups who charge less than $7 per disk
   may distribute the Roo Environment, but Forware Systems must be supplied
   with a copy of the first catalogue issue offering the Roo Environment.

3. Others may only distribute the Roo Environment with the written permission
   of Forware Systems. In all cases, it must be clearly stated to the purchaser
   that he or she is receiving an unregistered copy of a shareware product.

4. The distribution files must be distributed in their original forms.


                              Trademarks

Roo&Robby/SchoolsWorks is a trademark of Forware Systems.

All other products or services mentioned are trademarks, registered trademarks,
or service marks of their respective owners.


                              Disclaimer

Forware Systems makes no warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied,
including but not limited to implied warranties of merchantability and fitness
for a particular purpose.

In no event shall Forware Systems be liable for any errors contained herein or
for incidental or consequential damages in connection with the furnishing,
performance, or use of the Roo&Robby/SchoolWorks product or documentation.


                             FORWARE SYSTEMS

               Headquarters: 7 Bebo K., Budapest 1039 Hungary
                 The Branch: 46-101 Studencheskaya, Ekaterinburg 620049 Russia
Representatives in the U.S.: 3125 Vine St, Lincoln NE 68503 U.S.A.
                     phones: 402 4351537
                             402 4677255
          President and CEO: Gene Linetsky

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1. The description of Roo&Robby package

Roo and Robby are LOGO-like environments. Roo teaches basic algorithmic
constructions (without study of data structures) and the step-by-step design
method. Robby teaches the main data structures in algorithms: variable, array,
file, stack.

Algorithmic languages used in these environments have the same syntax of
algorithmic constructions but different sets of possible actions (see
the file LANGUAGE for the syntax). In particular, it allows one to avoid
the confusion between constructions and actions, and makes it possible to
extract the pure images of algorithmic constructions.

Since the execution of a computer program includes both language interpretation
and performing corresponding actions, we use special personages for executors
(Roo and Robby), and for interpretators (a boy Chris and a girl Milly).

There are four modes in the Roo and Robby environments: Program mode, Game
mode, Test mode, and Demo mode.

In the Program mode, one can type a program on the special program sheet. For
this, one can use a full-sheet text editor.  Deep syntax detection forbides
one to write incorrect programs.  Depending on the context, function keys help
one in fast typing.  Nine keys are enough for typing any program.  Before
running the program full logical analysis takes place. One can leave the
program sheet. When cursor is outside of the program sheet, all commands are
carried out immediately. So it is possible to direct Roo (or Robby) without
creating the program.  One can entrust Chris (or Milly) to trace and comment
on the carrying process.  Chris (or Milly) states every command and explains
the carrying out of the algorithmic constructions.

In the Game mode, one has to reconstruct a pattern program given the initial
positions and final result.  One can ask for prompts: Hint and Compare. Hint
shows how the pattern program is carrying out. Compare allows to start the
pattern and the user's programs simultaneously. It is easy to create new games
with a special option of the R&R environment. Any program may be converted
into a game.

In the Test mode, one must carry out a sample program instead of Chris. All
mistakes and other statistics are collected and then written into a special
file. One can create such tests just converting a program into a test with a
special option.

In the Demo mode, the environment gets a file containing explanations and key
codes. R&R outputs explanations in a special demo line and reacts to key codes
as the corresponding keystrokes.

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2. The description of SchoolWorks package

This system consists of "teaching versions" of a word processor, spreadsheets,
and database. Using SchoolWorks, you may acquaint your kids (or grandparents)
with essential features of corresponding professional applications. All three
programs are hosted by corresponding funny charachters as well.

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3. About The Developer

Roo&Robby/SchoolWorks Learning Environments are developed at Forware
Systems. We started to work on our Computer Science Courseware in 1984
in Sverdlovsk, Russia. Since 1985, there have been 750,000 copies of
our "ABCs of Computer Science" textbook printed (and sold). The textbook
and Roo&Robby/SchoolWorks software are recognized as the official
courseware for the IBM - U.S.S.R. Pilot Schools Project, and is now
used in 2000 schools all over the former Soviet republics. In 1991, our
Forware Systems company was registered in Budapest, Hungary, with branches
in Moscow and Sverdlovsk. In cooperation with IBM Arthur K. Watson Education
Center, Forware Systems helped to establish the very first IBM Pilot Computer
Center of Russia in Sverdlovsk.

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4. Registration

For only $29 registration fee, you will receive:

1. Robby Environment with the sample set of programs, demos, and games;
2. The exciting animated menu system for Roo&Robby Environments, which
   allows one to choose the operating mode without typing the options.
3. The terms and conditions of a NEW RUSSIAN BLACK BOX CHALLENGE: you
   may get your registration fee back and win UNLIMITED CASH PRIZE if
   you write only two short programs - one for Roo and one for Robby.

Add only $19 to receive SchoolWorks with its own menu system. If you order
SchoolWorks separately, the price for it is $29.

Make your check payable to Forware Systems. Fill and enclose the Order
Form for quicker processing, especially if you order more than one copy.

Mail your payment and the Order Form to:

   Forware Systems
   3125 Vine St
   Lincoln NE 68503

Please allow 2-3 weeks for delivery.

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            Roo&Robby/SchoolsWorks Order Form

                             Qty      Price         Total

 Roo&Robby on 3.5" Disk     ____       $29        $ _______

 Roo&Robby on 5.25" Disk    ____       $29        $ _______

               Add $19 per copy for SchoolsWorks: $ _______

                                       Sub-Total: $ _______

             Shipping and handling, $3 per order: $ _______

                                           Total: $ _______

                                  Check enclosed: $ _______

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 Ship to:

 Name: ______________________________

 Company: ___________________________

 Address: ___________________________

 City: ______________________________

 State: _________   Zip: ____________

 Phone: (______) ____________________

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5. Reference


                          GETTING STARTED

To start Roo, type

>go <Enter>

The environment will present itself in thr DEMO mode. Three consequent
demos explain the modes of the Roo environment. 



            A SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE ROO&ROBBY LANGUAGE

1. Linear Programs:

   Every line may contain only one command. No labels, GOTO, and the like.
All possible commands are attached to function keys so one can see all of
them listed in the F-key line (the top line in the screen).

2. Branchings (IF-statements) have one of the following two forms:

   if <condition> then
   ............
   the end of branching

or

   if <condition> then
   ..............
   otherwise
   ..............
   the end of branching

Here and below "............." means any program (without subroutines).

You may see all the possible condition if you press the F-key "If".


3. Cyclings (loops) have the following form:

   while <condition> repeat
   ............
   the end of cycling

Here <condition> means the same as in the previous paragraph.

4. Subroutines have the following form:

   subroutine <name>
   ..............
   the end of subroutine

All subroutines must be placed after the main program.

Command
            do <name>

will force Roo or Robby to execute the subroutine <name>.



                     ROO&ROBBY COMMAND LINE OPTIONS

      roo [filename[.roo]] -- regular program mode
      rob [filename[.rob]] -- regular program mode
  or
      roo [-d|-s|-t|-cs|-ct] filename[.???]
      rob [-d|-t|-ct] filename[.???]

Options:

            Roo                                       Robby

 -d   demo with .rod file                -d   demo with .rbd file
 -s   test with .rot file
 -t   game with .rog file                -t   game with .rog file
-cs   create test from .roo file
-ct   create game from .roo file        -ct   create game from .rob file

To get a quick help, press CTRL+H when in editor



            ROO&ROBBY/SCHOOLWORKS DEMO LANGUAGE DESCRIPTION

%           Exit DEMO, stay in the environment

+<text>     Output text in the DEMO line

-           Erase DEMO line

@           Pause

$           Wait for user's pressing a key

            All other DEMO commands simulate key pressings

:<text>     Output <text> in current cursor position in an
            "editable" field

\           Simulate <ENTER> after :<text>

#           ESC

UP          UP      ARROW
DN          DOWN    ARROW
RG          RIGHT   ARROW
LF          LEFT    ARROW

ET          ENTER

PU          PageUp
PD          PageDown

IN          Insert
BS          Backspace
DL          Delete

HM          Home
END         End
TB          Tab
STB         Shift+Tab
CHM         Ctrl+Home
CEND        Ctrl+End
A0...A9     Alt+0...Alt+9

F1...F9     F1...F9

^A...^Z     Ctrl+A...Ctrl+Z

Y           Yes, when (Y/N) is required
N           No, when (Y/N) is required

See files program.rod, game.rod, test.rod, program.rbd, ... , *.??d
for details.


                     FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

I. How to escape from a module at any point without having to reboot a
   computer?

1.1     When you are in the editor, use CTRL+F. If some activity is in
        progress (for expample, Chris is tracing your program or you
        observe the condition of a game), this activity must be interrupted
        first (usually with F1-break or ESCape).

1.2     When you are watching a demo, use CTRL+E. Sometimes it takes
        more than one pressing or even holding CTRL+E until the demo
        is interrupted. The DEMO MODE is not so frequently used, and
        we think it is not a very big weakness of the program.

1.3     When you are in the menu, use ESC. By the way, you may skip the
        very first menu cartoon by pressing any key.

Our software is used more than five years in the real teaching process in
the xUSSR (more than 2500 schools) and we currently teach 4-8 grades
kids here in Nebraska. Is was our teaching experience which did require
to bring some difficulties with escaping from the programs. It is very
inconvenient for a teacher when several students in the classroom are
always out of the program just because they wanted to see what happens
after ALT+X or CTRL+Q, or they simply get tired and did not want to solve
a problem.

II. What each of the function keys does under the different modes in the menu?

PROGRAMMING:

  F1 load    press if you are going to load pre-existing Roo (Robby) program,
             then choose the program (file name *.roo or *.rob) from the list.
  F2 new     press if you are going to create a new program or will use
             CTRL+T to load games (for Roo or Robby) or CTRL+S to load tests
             (for Roo only).


       GAME:

  F1 play    press if you are going to load a "black-box" game for Roo (Robby),
             then choose the game (file name *.rog or *.rbg) from the list.

  If student uses F2test possibility (in the F6game menu), and then escapes
  to DOS after watching the result of testing, the special Game Report file
  is created in the current subdirectory. The name of the report file is the
  same as the name of the game file, and the extension is ".rpt". These are
  samples of such a report:

Roo Game Report
2-16-1992
17:14                            time
Solution is Correct : 19,12      initial, final quantities of hearts

Roo Game Report
2-16-1992
17:19
Solution is Wrong!               all the hearts are lost, and the student
                                 was unable to win the game

  F2 create; press if you are going to create a new game using existing
             program as the "black-box" or pattern program.

             You will be given the list of Roo (*.roo) or Robby (*.rob)
             programs. Each program can become a "black-box" game in the
             following process:

             After choosing program from the list, Roo (Robby) is loaded.
             First, you will be able to set  the number of hearts for
             this game. This number usually reflects the (estimated)
             complexity of the game. Then, choose the first initial position
             from which Roo (Robby) will start the loaded program.
             The term "initial position" includes the initial state of the
             Robby grid's cells, his "pocket" (stack) and display (memory).
             This position will be also the first initial position in the game
             you are creating. After pressing the ENTER key, you will see
             the result of running the program from the first initial
             position. It will be the first result for the future game.
             You can finish the creation of the game at this point so that
             your game will consist of only one pair
                             (initial position, result).
             It makes sense for linear programs, but for more difficult
             programs you will probably choose to continue the process and
             set the second initial position, etc.

  The difference between loading game from PROGRAMMING MODE and entering
  DEMO MODE from menu is the following:
     -  You can load several games from PROGRAMMING MODE consequently.
     -  You can load only one game if you entered GAME MODE from menu, and
        so this method is preferable if you are interested in the student's
        results of solving a particular "black-box" problem.

       TEST:

  F1 take         take a pre-existintg test (*.rot)

  Test statistics are saved in the file with the following name:

  <the name of the test>.?

  where ? is the number of the test's report (the test may be passed several
  times, which provides teacher with the information about student's progress
  or regress).

  F2 create       create a test using regular Roo program (*.roo)

  Creating a test is similar to creating a game.
