Hannah Y

context-free.md

@@ -1,22 +1,73 @@
 # Context Free
 
-##  Who is this programming language for?
+## Who is this programming language for?
+This programming language appears to be aimed at those interested in math
+and computer science and want to use those concepts in an artistic manner.
+To create anything interesting, basic knowledge of what a program/rule is, 
+recursion, etc is necessary. Also, commenting mimics that use in C/Javascript, 
+further suggested this is aimed at those with some programming experience.
+However, knowledge of more advanced concepts, like class structure or 
+control flow, is not necessary to create beautiful pictures, making this
+more accessible. It seems like a good way to either build confidence with 
+programming or to program just for aesthetic pleasure.
 
 
 ## What is easy to do in this language? Why is it easy?
+Recursion and randomization is very straight-forward in this language. This 
+becomes quickly evident when looking through the first lesson provided. To
+randomize, all one has to do is create multiple rules of with the same name. 
+Then, after the name, one puts a number that indicates its weighting relative
+to the other same-named rule. This controls how likely one of them is to show up.
+To use recursion, all one has to do is put the rule inside of itself and size it 
+smaller than the starting rule. The renderer determines when it will be too small
+to be seen and stops the recursion there. This is especially convenient, as it 
+means the user can implement a limited form of recursion without having to consider
+base cases, weird edge cases, etc.
 
 
 ## What is hard to do in this language? Why is it hard?
+For me, the hardest part of this language is understanding how the positioning,
+sizing, etc will render. The scale and positioning system is very unintuitive to
+me, and I found myself surprised by how my changes appeared when rendered. I 
+think that adding some sort of reference/grid option that shows how the positioning
+works would be useful for gaining intuition. This probably is not necessary for 
+more advanced users, but for beginners it could prove helpful. Another concept
+I found confusing was how layering works in this program. For example, in 
+Photoshop, one can create layers for different objects to specify their
+respective z-positioning. However, it was unclear how to control this Context
+Free and also what the standard seemed to be.
 
 
 ## How did you learn how to program in this language?
+To first acquaint myself with Context Free, I looked through the code for the
+welcome image. I took parts of it and copy-pasted it into an example image
+to play around with the code and get a general sense of how it worked. This is
+how I figured out to use startshape and which rules were built-in. However,
+I did not have a good sense of what the specifications were for shapes and how
+to use them. To learn these, I turned to the two lessons listed under the help 
+menu. This was highly useful. I additionally discovered the recursive 
+properties of Context Free and how other rules could be included in a program.
+When I was confused about other things I wanted to make happen, I refered to the
+examle images to find the code for the properties of interest. In general,
+I found that learning by example was effective for this language.
 
 
 ## What is the underlying _computational model_ for this programming language? 
 _We don't yet have a great definition of the term "computational model". 
 For now, try to come up with the clearest, most concise explanation of what 
 happens when a ContextFree program runs._
+When a ContextFree program runs, it appears that it compiles all of the 
+different rules. It then refers to these rules as necessary. It starts by
+going to the rule associated with the startshape command, and then follows
+the rest of the as necessary.
 
 
 ## What do you think is interesting about the ContextFree program you wrote?
+From an exploring the language perspective, I was able to take advantage of
+both recursion and randomization in creating my image. I also played with
+formatting features, like positioning and lightening the black. Furthermore,
+I used a library to add text. From a artistic standpoint, I tried to have the arrows
+lead into the spiral and used the black boxes to frame the edges. As for what it
+means, I have no idea, but it is meant to be visually appealing in the way the 
+eye follows the lines.
 

hannah_young.cfdg

@@ -0,0 +1,60 @@
+startshape STUFF
+
+include i_pix.cfdg
+
+rule STUFF {
+TURN1 { y 10}
+TURN2 { y 10}
+TURN3 { y 10 }
+SQUARE {y 3.7 size 7  3.7}
+SPIRAL { y 2}
+TITLE1{ x -2.3 y 3.5}
+SQUARE { x 10 y 4 size 3  15}
+}
+
+rule TITLE1 {
+	W_5by5 { x 0 b 1 size 1}
+	H_5by5 { x 1.2 b 1}
+         Y_5by5 { x 2.4 b 1}
+
+}
+
+rule ARROW {
+     TRIANGLE { size 0.5 }
+     SQUARE { x 0 y 5 size 2 4 }
+}
+
+rule SPIRAL {
+    ARROW { size 0.5 }
+    SPIRAL { y 0.6
+         rotate -6
+         b .003
+         size 0.995 }
+}
+
+rule TURN1  {
+        MAYBE { }
+        TURN1 {x -1 y 1 size 0.7}
+        TURN1 {x 1 y -1 size 0.7 }
+}
+
+rule TURN2  {
+        MAYBE { }
+        TURN2 {x -1 y 2 size 0.7}
+        TURN2 {x 1 y -2 size 0.7 }
+}
+
+rule TURN3  {
+        MAYBE { }
+        TURN3 {x -1 y 3 size 0.7}
+        TURN3 {x 1 y -3 size 0.7 }
+}
+
+rule MAYBE 20 {
+        TRIANGLE { x 0 y 0 size 0.3 }
+}
+
+rule MAYBE 10 {
+         TRIANGLE {x 0 y 0  size 0.3 rotate -3}
+}
+

my-dsl.md

@@ -1,38 +1,67 @@
 # Language
 _What is the name of the language? Link the name to its webpage 
 (if appropriate)._
+Bootstrap, http://getbootstrap.com/
 
 
 # Domain
 _Describe the language's domain in five words._
+Front-end web development beautification
 
 
 # Computational model
 _We don't yet have a great definition of the term "computational model". 
 For now, try to come up with the clearest, most concise explanation of 
 what happens when a ContextFree program runs._
+I'm going to assume this question intends to ask what happens when a 
+Bootstrapped program runs. Bootstrap is a JS/HTML/CSS framework that 
+contributes to both the functionality and aesthetic during web development.
+It provides consistent formatting for elements like tables, headers, etc and 
+implements basic interactive tools like radio buttons, dropdown menus, etc.
+(Note that it does not do any work to connect client to server.) 
+
 
 
 # DSL-ness
 _Fowler writes about a spectrum of languages, from general-purpose languages to 
 "purely" domain-specific. Where does the DSL you chose fall on this spectrum, 
 and why?_ 
+Bootstrap is more on the domain-specific side of the spectrum. It does not nearly
+have the expressivity to implement things like loops or advance logic. It mearly
+has the ability to implement predefined web interactions and appearance.
 
 
 # Internal or external?
 _Is the language implemented as an internal or external DSL? 
 Justify your answer._
-
+I claim that Bootstrap is an internal DSL. It is created using common web dev 
+languages (HTML, CSS, etc) to be use in conjunction with those very languages.
+Furthermore, it displays the characteristic of being built with particular
+components of its base languages in order to deal specifically with user interface
+features, which Fowler lists as a key attribute of an internal DSL. Note that 
+at least JS and HTML can do much more than just UI work. 
 
 # Host language
 _What language(s) was (were) used to implement the DSL?_
+JavaScript, HTML, CSS, LESS, and Sass
 
 
 # Benefits
 _Identify one potential benefit of the DSL: how is a programmer's life or a 
 company's bottom line made easier by the existence of this language?_
+This tool allows for easy, straightforward beautification during web dev.
+Given that people tend to take better formatting more seriously, it is useful
+when quickly prototyping an idea in a larger corporation. For a smaller developer,
+it can help them save time by easily making a clean web page without having
+to put in the effort to learn design principles and the intricacies of languages
+like CSS (a not-especially difficult but surprisingly finicky language).
 
 
 # Drawbacks
 _Identify one potential drawback of the DSL: what does a programmer or company 
 lose by using this DSL instead of a general-purpose language?_
+The use of bootstrap means loss of control over the design of the webpage. If a 
+developer chooses to use this, they will be unable to make specific modifications
+in terms of spacing, coloring, etc as easily because Bootstrap takes over those
+features. Additionally, the website has less personality and is more generic,
+which is not as good a strategy when trying to stand out.