Java - Mini - Project (Small Game Project)

A Guide to Programming Asteroids
as a Java Applet
By Brandon Carroll
2
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction………………………………………………………….. 4
Purpose, Overview, Who this manual is for, Needed Materials, How to use this manual,
Where to go for help, About the author
Chapter 2: Planning the game…………………………………………………… 8
What will the game be like? How long will it take to make the game? What classes are
needed? How will the classes interact? What is the overall process?
Chapter 3: Building a Framework……………………………………………... 11
Overview…………………………………………………………………………… 11
Setting up the skeleton of the applet……………………………………………….. 11
Inserting the applet into an HTML webpage………………………………………. 12
Using a thread……………………………………………………………………… 13
Understanding Double Buffering…………………………………………………...15
Using the Graphics class…………………………………………………………… 16
Handling events……………………………………………………………………. 17
Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………. 19
Chapter 4: Implementing the Ship Class……………………………………….20
Overview…………………………………………………………………………… 20
Creating the variables and the constructor…………………………………………. 20
Drawing the ship…………………………………………………………………… 21
Moving the ship……………………………………………………………………. 22
Implementing other needed methods………………………………………………. 23
Using a Ship in AsteroidsGame……………………………………………………. 24
Chapter 5: Implementing the Shot Class……………………………………….27
Overview…………………………………………………………………………… 27
Creating the variables and the constructor…………………………………………. 27
Implementing Ship’s shoot() method……………………………………………….28
Using Shot in AsteroidsGame………………………………………………………29
Chapter 6: Implementing the Asteroid Class…………………………………..32
Overview…………………………………………………………………………… 32
Creating the variables, constructor, and basic methods……………………………. 32
Detecting collisions…………………………………………………………………34
Splitting the asteroid……………………………………………………………….. 35
Adding asteroids into AsteroidsGame……………………………………………... 35
Chapter 7: Customizing and Modifying the Game…………………………….40
Appendix A: The Completed AsteroidsGame Class…………………………..41
Appendix B: The Completed Ship Class……………………………………….47
Appendix C: The Completed Shot Class……………………………………… 52
Appendix D: The Completed Asteroid Class…………………………………. 54
Appendix E: A Game Framework…………………………………………….. 57
Glossary………………………………………………………………………….. 60
Bibliography……………………………………………………………………... 63
3
List of Figures, Tables, and Code Sections
Reference Name Topic Page Number

Figure 2.1: Structure of the program…………………………… 9
Flow Chart 2.2: Creating the Asteroids Game………………………. 10
Code 3.1: Imports and extending Applet……………………… 11
Code 3.2: Overridden Applet methods………………………... 12
Code 3.3: HTML code for Asteroids.html……………………. 12
Figure 3.4: Threads……………………………………………... 14
Code 3.5: Testing the thread…………………………………... 14
Code 3.6: Testing double buffering…………………………… 16
Table 3.7: Methods from the Graphics class…………………... 17
Code 3.8: Testing event handling……………………………... 18
Code 4.1: Ship variables and constructor……………………... 20
Code 4.2: Ship’s draw() method………………………………. 21
Code 4.3: Ship’s move() method……………………………… 23
Code 4.4: Ship’s other methods………………………………..23
Code 4.5: Testing the Ship……………………………………. 25
Code 5.1: The completed Shot class…………………………...27
Code 5.2: Ship’s shoot() method……………………………… 28
Code 5.3: Testing shots……………………………………….. 29
Code 6.1: Asteroid’s basic methods…………………………... 32
Code 6.2: Asteroid’s collision detection methods…………….. 34
Code 6.3: Asteroid’s createSplitAsteroid() method…………... 35
Code 6.4: Completing the game………………………………. 36
Table A.1: AsteroidsGame variable and method descriptions…. 41
Code A.2: The final code for AsteroidsGame…………………. 42
Table B.1: Ship variable and method descriptions…………….. 47
Code B.2: The final code for Ship…………………………….. 48
Table C.1: Shot variable and method descriptions…………….. 52
Code C.2: The final code for Shot…………………………….. 52
Table D.1: Asteroid variable and method descriptions………… 54
Code D.2: The final code for Asteroid………………………… 54
Code E.1: The GameFramework code………………………… 57
4 Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 1: Introduction
Purpose of the manual
This manual was written to provide beginning programmers with an introduction to game
programming that is otherwise not readily available. Lower level programming courses typically
do not deal with game programming, although that is often what the students would like to do.
Furthermore, books and other resources on game programming are usually too in-depth for
beginners to use easily. This manual will help you develop an understanding of the basic
concepts involved in programming games so that you can then better use more thorough sources.
Overview
This manual covers the complete, chronological process of developing a basic Asteroids
game as a Java Applet. Asteroids is a simple, two dimensional game where the player controls a
triangular spaceship in an asteroid field. The object is to destroy all the asteroids without
crashing into any of them. Asteroids was chosen because it involves relatively simple
programming and because it is one of the greatest classics of the gaming industry (Wikipedia
contributors 2007).
Who this manual is for

This manual is designed for beginning Java programmers who are interested in learning
to make simple computer games. You will need to know the very basics of Java, but not much
more than that. If you ever get stuck, there are several helpful resources listed under the “Where
to go for help” section in this chapter. This manual assumes that you already know at least the
following:
1. How to create and use a class with methods*.

2. How to compile java programs.
3. How to use variables (primitive types, Strings, and arrays).
4. How to use basic control flow statements (if, while, for, etc.).
*Note: Bolded terms can be found in the glossary at the end of the manual.
Some basic trigonometry will also be involved. An understanding of the following

concepts will be helpful, though not necessarily required (you can just copy the code given):
1. Rotating a point around the origin (used to turn the ship).

2. Finding x and y components of a vector from its magnitude and direction (used for
movement).
3. Calculating distances with the distance formula (used to detect collisions).
Chapter 1: Introduction 5
Needed materials
To be able to use this manual, you will need to have the Java Software Development
Kit (JDK) installed on your computer so that you can compile Java programs. I used the current
version, Java Standard Edition 6, to write this manual. Either a text editor designed for Java
code or a Java Integrated Development Environment (IDE) will also be extremely helpful. It
is possible to write code in a basic text editor like Notepad, but much more difficult because
there is no syntax highlighting. There are several free text editors and IDEs made for Java that
are available to download online. Refer to the “Where to go for help” section for some of their
download sites.
How to use this manual

Because of the way this manual has been designed, it is best to go through it from
beginning to end, writing the code as you go. Each section builds on those sections that have
gone before it. Chapter 2 explains the overall process of creating the game and how the classes
interact. Chapter 3 covers setting up the basic framework for a game. Then, the following
chapters build on that framework to make the Asteroids game. If you already understand the
concepts covered in Chapter 3, you may use the completed framework code given in Appendix E
and skip to Chapter 4. If you do this, be sure to change the name of the class given in Appendix
E from GameFramework to AsteroidsGame.
It will likely take several hours to get through the entire manual. If you do it in multiple
sessions, I recommend stopping between chapters because they represent the major sections of
the game. It may be more difficult to pick back up where you were if you leave off in the middle
of a chapter.
The following conventions are used throughout this manual:
Bolded Terms
Bolded words are terms that are defined in the glossary at the end of the manual.
Code sections
The names of the files that code sections describe are given in bolded text following the
code section number. Code sections only contain the code pertinent to that section of the
manual, assuming that all other code that has been written up to that point (as described by all
the previous sections) remains the same. This may make it difficult to successfully program
Asteroids if you skip sections or if your code written for a previous section does not work. If
you are confused about where the code fits into the whole, the completed code for the entire
game is provided in appendices A through D. For Chapter 3, the completed framework code is
located in Appendix E.
The syntax highlighting in the code sections is the default syntax highlighting used by the
Eclipse IDE. The different colors and styles represent the following:
keywords – Used for all Java keywords (i.e. int, void, public, for, if, etc.).
variableNames – Used for all variable or object names (identifiers).
comments – Used for comments in the code. Comments include any text following the
“//” symbol on the same line, or between the “/*” and “*/” symbols for multi-
line comments.
6 Chapter 1: Introduction
other – Used for everything else, including numbers, symbols, class names, and method
names.
In-text references to variable, method, and class names

In the text of this manual, references to variable, method, and class names will follow the
following conventions:
variableName – Variable names will be italicized. According to common Java practice,
the first letter of variable names will always be lower-case and the first letters of
subsequent words (if any) within the variable name will be capitalized.
methodName() – Method names will have an empty set of parentheses attached at the
end, though parameters will not be included. They follow the same capitalization
convention as variable names.
ClassName – Class names will always begin with a capital letter according to the
standard Java convention.
Where to go for help

This section contains references to websites that may be helpful in resolving a variety of
problems, questions, or concerns you may have as you use this manual. If the code you have
written for any of Chapters 3 through 6 does not work, I recommend first verifying that it exactly
matches the code given, then turning to online sources. I have verified that all the code in this
manual works by copying and pasting it directly into source code files, then testing them.
Site for downloading and installing Java

The JDK download page – http://java.sun.com/javase/downloads/index.jsp
Sites to download free editors and IDEs

Eclipse IDE – http://www.eclipse.org/
NetBeans IDE – http://www.netbeans.info/downloads/index.php
gVim text editor – http://www.vim.org/download.php
Site for learning Java basics

The Java Tutorials – http://java.sun.com/docs/books/tutorial/index.html
The New to Java Programming Center – http://java.sun.com/developer/onlineTraining/new2java/
Site with descriptions of all classes and methods in the Java standard library
The Java 6 API – http://java.sun.com/javase/6/docs/api/index.html
*Note: The Java API site is an invaluable resource for any Java programmer. You should become familiar
with it if you are not already.
About the author
Brandon Carroll is a student at Brigham Young University studying Computer Science

and Electrical Engineering. He started programming early in high school and has been writing
Chapter 1: Introduction 7
many of his own small games since then. He works primarily in Java, but also uses C++ and
Visual C#.
8 Chapter 2: Planning the Game
Chapter 2: Planning the Game

What will the game be like?
Asteroids is a simple, two-dimensional game with the objective of destroying all the
asteroids on the screen. The player controls a small, triangular ship with keyboard controls for
rotating left, rotating right, accelerating, and shooting. When the player shoots an asteroid, it
breaks up into smaller asteroids. This continues until a limit is reached where the asteroids will
be totally destroyed instead of breaking up. The playing field is rectangular and wraps around,
meaning that if an object goes off one side of the screen, it will reappear at the same location on
the opposite side.
How long will it take to make the game?

I would expect it to take several, if not many, hours to program Asteroids using this
manual. If you do not want to do it all at once, it is best to break it up between chapters in the
manual. Your current level of expertise could greatly affect the amount of time needed to
complete the program.
What classes are needed?

For this project, we will need a class that runs the game as a whole as well as classes that
take care of each individual part within the game. I have divided the game into the following
four classes. Each will be in its own Java source code file (.java).
1. AsteroidsGame – The main class that represents the game as a whole.
2. Ship – The class that represents the player’s ship.
3. Shot – The class that represents the shots fired by the player.
4. Asteroid – The class that represents the asteroids.
How will the classes interact?
The relationships between the classes are displayed graphically in Figure 2.1. As
indicated by the solid arrows, a web browser will contain the AsteroidsGame applet. In turn,
AsteroidsGame will contain an instance of the Ship class and arrays of the Shot and Asteroid
classes. The dotted lines represent interactions between classes.
The AsteroidsGame class will contain the code that runs the game as a whole. It will be
the first class we create. AsteroidsGame will create and manage all the instances of the other
classes, take care of event handling (responding to user input), and connect the game into
internet browsers as an applet.
The Ship class will draw and move the player’s ship. Because the setting of the game is
in space, the ship’s movement will include drifting. Ship will also create new instances of Shot
when the player presses the fire key.
Chapter 2: Planning the Game 9
The Shot class will draw and move the shots fired by the player. These shots will
disappear if they go too long without hitting an asteroid.
The Asteroid class will draw and move the asteroids. Additionally, it will contain
methods to detect collisions with the player’s ship and the player’s shots. When the ship and an
asteroid collide, the player will have to start the level over again. When the asteroid is hit by a
shot, it will either split itself up into smaller asteroids or disappear completely.
Figure 2.1: Boxes with large, bolded text in the center represent classes. The AsteroidsGame
class will inherit from the Applet class so that it can be embedded in and run by a web browser.
AsteroidsGame will contain an instance of the Ship class and arrays of the Shot and Asteroid classes to
represent the different objects in the game. A thread inside AsteroidsGame will continually move the
objects on the screen and check for collisions between either the shots and the asteroids or the asteroids
and the ship. User input will be handled by the AsteroidsGame class, which will tell the ship when to move
and when to fire. When firing, the ship will create an instance of the Shot class and return it to
AsteroidsGame to be added to the array of shots. When an asteroid is hit by a shot, it will break itself up by
creating smaller asteroids and returning them to AsteroidsGame to be added to the array. The original,
larger asteroid will then be deleted.
10 Chapter 2: Planning the Game
What is the overall process?

The order in which each part of the game will be implemented is described in Flow Chart
2.2 below. Each step is numbered in chronological order and describes the modifications that
will be made in the file named at the top of the column in which the step is located. The chapter
containing each step is listed in parentheses.
Flow Chart 2.2: Creating the Asteroids game

AsteroidsGame.java Ship.java Shot.java Asteroid.java
1
Create a framework for the
game by setting up the
applet, the thread, double
buffering, and event
handling. (Chapter 3) 2
Implement the Ship
class. (Chapter 4)
3
Add a working Ship into the
framework and test it.
(Chapter 4) 4
Implement the Shot
5 class. (Chapter 5)
Add a shoot() method
to the Ship class.
6 (Chapter 5)
Add shooting into the game
by creating an array of
Shots and calling the ship’s
shoot() method. (Chapter 5) 7
Implement the
Asteroid class and its
collision detection
8
methods. (Chapter 6)
Add asteroids into the game
by creating an array of
Asteroids and calling their
collision detection methods.
(Chapter 6)
9
Complete the game with
any modifications you
would like to make.
(Chapter 7)
Chapter 3: Building a Framework 11
Chapter 3: Building a Framework

Overview
In this chapter, we will create a general framework with some functionality that is needed
for almost any game. Chapters 4 through 7 explain how to build an Asteroids game within this
framework. We will start by creating an applet and embedding it in a webpage. Next, we will
create a thread that will continuously run the game. This is needed because applets do not
actively run code. Then, we will implement double buffering so that we can display graphics
smoothly. Finally, we will add event handling so that the program can respond to user input.
Setting up the skeleton of the applet

Importing packages and creating the AsteroidsGame class
First of all, create a file named “AsteroidsGame.java” in the text editor or IDE that you
use for Java programming. Once you have done this, we need to import some packages from
the Java standard library. We need the java.applet package so we can make the
AsteroidsGame class an applet. The java.awt package will give us the classes needed to draw
graphics. The Java.awt.event package provides the resources needed to implement event
handling (responding to user input). After writing the import lines, create an AsteroidsGame
class that extends, or inherits from, the Applet class (see Code 3.1).
*Note: Extensive information on all the standard Java packages and classes can be found in the Java
Application Programming Interface (API) at http://java.sun.com/javase/6/docs/api/. This website is
extremely useful for Java programmers.
Code 3.1 – AsteroidsGame.java: Needed imports and AsteroidsGame class extending Applet.
import java.applet.*;
import java.awt.*;
import java.awt.event.*;
public class AsteroidsGame extends Applet {

}
Overriding methods inherited from Applet

There are several methods in the Applet class that web browsers make calls to at certain
points in time. However, because the Applet class was created to define the functionality of an
applet rather than to be used as an applet, several of these methods don’t do anything. They are
included in the Applet class to ensure that every class that extends Applet will have those
methods so that errors are not produced when a web browser tries to call them.
To make our AsteroidsGame applet work the way we want it to, we must override some
of these methods. Descriptions of the ones we will override are as follows:
12 Chapter 3: Building a Framework
public void init() – This method is called when the applet is first created.
public void paint(Graphics gfx) – This method paints the graphics of the applet.
public void update(Graphics gfx) – This method must be overridden to prevent flickering.
We will override init() so that we can use it to get our game started. It will set everything
up when the game first loads and then get the thread running. Right now, we will simply make it
call the resize() method to make sure the applet is the size we want. The resize() method is also
inherited from Applet, but does not need to be overridden.
We will override paint() to make it draw the game’s graphics. For now, we will just draw
a black circle so that we can make sure the applet is working (see Code 3.2).
We will override update() to prevent flickering. The update() method inherited from
Applet first clears the screen, then makes a call to paint(). Clearing the screen is visible to the
user and causes flickering. We will override it so that it makes a call to paint() without clearing
the screen.
The paint() and update() methods are not meant to be called directly. Rather, we must
notify the system when the applet needs to be redrawn by calling the repaint() method (also
inherited from Applet). Repaint() buffers calls to update() so that proper timing can be used and
so that redundant calls can be eliminated (repaint() can also be called by things other than our
program, such as the web browser).
Copy the code from Code 3.2 into your class so that we can test the applet in the next
section. The Graphics class and its methods (setColor(), fillOval(), etc) will be covered later in
the “Using the Graphics class” section.
Code 3.2 – AsteroidsGame.java: Overridden Applet methods (inside the AsteroidsGame class).
public void init(){

resize(500,500); // make sure the applet is the right size
}
public void paint(Graphics gfx){

gfx.setColor(Color.red);
gfx.fillOval(0,0,50,50); // draw a red circle
}
public void update(Graphics gfx){

paint(gfx); // call paint without clearing the screen
}
Inserting the applet into an HTML webpage

If you have not yet compiled AsteroidsGame.java, compile it now so that the
AsteroidsGame.class file will be available for testing. Then, open a text editor (like Notepad)
and type in the text exactly as show in Code 3.3.
Code 3.3 – Asteroids.html: Type this into a text editor and save it as “Asteroids.html” in the same folder
as your AsteroidsGame.class file.
<center>
<h1>Asteroids</h1>
<br>
<applet code=”AsteroidsGame.class” height=500 width=500></applet>
</center>
The code in Code 3.3 is written in Hypertext Markup Language (HTML). In HTML,
opening tags are signified by <tagName> (with the name of the tag in place of “tagName”) and
closing tags are signified by </tagName>. The first tag, <center>, tells the web browser to center
everything between it and its corresponding ending tag, </center>. The <h1> tag tells the
browser to display the text between it and its ending tag using heading size 1 (the largest). The
<br> tag stands for “break” and just tells the browser to move to a new line. Notice that it does
not have or need a closing tag.
Parameters can be passed in HTML by adding the parameter name followed by an equals
sign and the parameter’s value. All of this is placed inside the opening tag between the tag name
and the closing brace. In Code 3.3, the applet tag is sent parameters telling the browser where to
find the file containing the compiled applet code and how much space the applet will take up
(height and width in pixels).
*Note: For more information on HTML tags, visit www.html-reference.com.
Save the text file as “Asteroids.html” in the same folder that the AsteroidsGame.class file
is in (make sure to save it with the extension .html and not .txt). Browse to that folder and open
the new Asteroids.html file. Your web browser should open and display the text “Asteroids”
centered in the top of the screen. The browser may initially block the applet from running, in
which case it will pop up a notification that it was blocked. If this happens, you will need to
click on the notification and tell the browser to allow the blocked content. When the applet is
running properly, a red circle will appear slightly below and to the left of the “Asteroids” text.
*Note: From now on, any references to running the program mean compiling it, then opening the web page
you have created (Asteroids.html). The AppletViewer program provided with the Java SDK may also be
used.
Using a thread
Up to this point, everything our program does happens in response to external events.
The applet does not run any of its own code by itself. Things outside the applet, like the web
browser, call its init() and repaint() methods. However, the game will need continuously running
code that will keep the objects moving around and check for collisions. Since applets do not
provide this functionality by themselves, we will add in a thread to take care of it.
A thread is simply a task being performed by the computer. Computers run many
threads concurrently by breaking each task up into small pieces, or time slices (see Figure 3.4).
Because these time slices are so small, it looks like many things are happening at once (Brakeen
2003, chapter 1).
Figure 3.4: Computers appear to perform multiple tasks at once because they break each task into small
segments, then rapidly cycle through each task executing a segment at a time. (Graphic source: Brakeen
2003, chapter 1)
Java provides the Thread class and the Runnable interface for creating threads. Since we
can only inherit from one class (and we already have from Applet), we will make the
AsteroidsGame class implement the Runnable interface. This interface only requires that we
have one additional method, run(), in our class. This method will contain a loop with the code
necessary to execute a frame of the game per iteration.
After implementing the Runnable interface and creating a run() method, we need to
actually create and start the thread in the init() method. The code for all of this is given in Code
3.5. The variables x, y, thread, currentTime, previousTime, and cycleTime are new variables in
the AsteroidsGame class. This code will create a red circle that moves across the screen
repeatedly against a black background. When you run it, you may notice some black flickering
in the circle as it moves. We will remedy this with double buffering in the next section.
*Note: If you really want to see some flickering, comment out the update() method that we overrode
previously. This should cause white flickering across the entire screen as the program runs. The flickering
is caused by the default update() method, which paints the screen white before calling paint().
The Thread.sleep() method pauses the execution of the thread for the number of
milliseconds passed in as a parameter. During this time, the computer is free to run parts of other
threads that it is executing. Thread.sleep() must be placed in a try/catch block because the sleep
method can throw an InterruptedException (which we will ignore if it does). Exceptions and
exception handling are beyond the scope of this manual, but information on them can be found in
the Java Tutorials at java.sun.com.
For our game to run smoothly, we want each frame to last for the same amount of time.
We will call this amount of time the frame period (framePeriod in the code). Because the code
in the loop can take different amounts of time to execute, we want our thread to sleep for
whatever time is left in the frame period after the code has been executed. To do this, we first
mark the beginning and ending times for the code execution using the startTime and endTime
variables and the System.currentTimeMillis() method. This method returns a value of type long
that represents the current system time in milliseconds. Once the starting and ending times have
been obtained, the amount of time the code took to execute can be determined by subtracting
startTime from endTime. This value is then subtracted from framePeriod to obtain the amount of
time that the thread needs to sleep for (see Code 3.5).
Code 3.5 – AsteroidsGame.java: Thread test – moving a red circle across the screen.
public class AsteroidsGame extends Applet implements Runnable{

int x,y; // these are all new variables

Thread thread;
long startTime, endTime, framePeriod; //long is just a very big integer
public void init(){

this.resize(500,500);
x=0; // the top left x and y coordinates of the rectangle
y=0; // containing the circle.
startTime=0;
endTime=0;
framePeriod=25; // 25 milliseconds is a good frame period
thread=new Thread(this); // create the thread
thread.start(); // start the thread running
}

gfx.setColor(Color.black); // clear the screen with black
gfx.fillRect(0,0,500,500);
gfx.setColor(Color.red);
gfx.fillOval(x,y,50,50);
}
... // update() the same as before
public void run(){

for(y=0; y<450; y+=50){ // x and y are the location of the circle
for(x=0; x<450; x+=2){
// mark start time
startTime=System.currentTimeMillis();
repaint();
// the next 6 lines pause execution for 20
// milliseconds minus the time it took to move the
// circle and repaint.
try{
// mark end time
endTime=System.currentTimeMillis();
// don’t sleep for a negative amount of time
if(framePeriod-(endTime-startTime)>0)
Thread.sleep(framePeriod -
(endTime-startTime));
}catch(InterruptedException e){
}
}
}
}
}
Understanding double buffering

In the previous section, we saw that a small amount of flickering was visible in our
animation even though we have overridden the update method. The flickering occurs because
everything we draw in paint() is immediately displayed on the screen. We first paint the entire
screen black and then paint the red circle on top of the black background. Because there is a tiny
delay between painting the screen black and painting the red circle, we see flickers in the circle
on the screen.
Double buffering involves creating a virtual “screen” (a back buffer stored in memory)
to draw on. Once drawing on the back buffer is complete, it is copied as a whole to the actual
screen. This prevents the user from seeing the brief amounts of time between when the
individual elements are drawn.
In Code 3.6, we have added three new variables to AsteroidsGame used to create the
back buffer. The dim variable stores the dimensions of the back buffer, which need to match the
dimensions of the applet. Img is the actual back buffer and stores the color of each pixel to be
drawn to the applet’s area on the screen. The variable g is the Graphics object that we will use to
draw on img.
The actual double buffering occurs in the paint() method. All of the gfx’s have been
changed to g’s except for in the last line. We first use g to draw everything on img (the back
buffer), then we copy img to the actual screen using gfx (the last line).
After making the changes in Code 3.6 and running the program, the red circle should
move across the screen without any flickering.
Code 3.6 – AsteroidsGame.java: Double Buffering test – moving a red circle across the screen without
flickering.
Dimension dim; // stores the size of the back buffer

Image img; // the back buffer object
Graphics g; // used to draw on the back buffer
public void init(){

this.resize(500,500);
x=0;
y=0;
startTime=0;
endTime=0;
framePeriod=25;
dim=getSize(); //set dim equal to the size of the applet
img=createImage(dim.width, dim.height);//create the back buffer
g=img.getGraphics(); //retrieve Graphics object for back buffer
thread=new Thread(this);
thread.start();
}

g.setColor(Color.black); //Notice these first four lines all
g.fillRect(0,0,500,500); //use g instead of gfx now. g draws
g.setColor(Color.red); //to the back buffer, while gfx draws
g.fillOval(x,y,50,50); //directly to the screen.
gfx.drawImage(img,0,0,this); //copies back buffer to the screen
}
Using the Graphics class

The Graphics class is what we use to draw all of our graphics to either the screen or the
back buffer. This section explains only the methods within the Graphics class pertinent to our
program. For an exhaustive listing of methods in the Graphics class, visit the Java API at
http://java.sun.com/javase/6/docs/api/.
The coordinate system used by Graphics has its origin at the top left pixel on the screen.
The x coordinate increases by one for each pixel as you move to the right and the y coordinate
increases by one for each pixel as you move down.
Table 3.7 describes the methods in the Graphics class that we will need to create our
asteroids game. All of the methods are void (they do not return any value). Feel free to
experiment and familiarize yourself with them by making calls to g.methodName() in the paint()
method. Make sure you don’t put them in after the last line that copies the back buffer to the
screen, or you will not be able to see what they do.
Method Description
drawImage(Image img, int Draws the image contained in img with the top left corner at (x,y).
x, int y, ImageObserver We use this for double buffering. Observer is the object that will
observer) be notified whether or not the operation was successful. We
simply pass the “this” pointer in as observer.
drawString(String str, int x, Draws the text contained in str to the screen with the baseline for
int y) the first character at (x, y). In other words, the text is drawn
immediately above the y coordinate.
fillOval(int x, int y, int Draws a solid oval contained in the rectangle described by x, y,
width, int height) width, and height. The point (x,y) is above and to the left of the
oval that is drawn.
fillPolygon(int[] xPoints, Draws a solid polygon enclosed by the ordered points: (xPoints[0],
int[] yPoints, int nPoints) yPoints[0]), (xPoints[1], yPoints[1]), … , (xPoints[nPoints-1],
yPoints[nPoints-1]). nPoints is the number of points the polygon
has. xPoints and yPoints should be arrays of integers that each
contain at least nPoints integers.
fillRect(int x, int y, int Draws a solid rectangle with the top left corner at (x,y). Width and
width, int height) height give the respective horizontal and vertical size of the
rectangle in pixels.
setColor(Color c) Sets the current drawing color to the color described by c. All
shapes drawn after calling this method will be color c until the
next time setColor is called.
Table 3.7: Methods we will use from the Graphics class (source for data: The Java API 2006)
Handling events
Now that we can create basic graphics, it would be nice if the user could interact with our
program. This is done through event handling. An event is something that happens outside of
the program that the program might want to respond to. Examples of events include keys being
pressed, the mouse moving, and the window losing focus. Event handling is the part of a
program that detects and responds to these events.
For our Asteroids game, the only events we need to worry about will come from the
keyboard. To detect these events, we will make AsteroidsGame implement the KeyListener
interface. This interface requires the addition of the following three methods to our
AsteroidsGame class:
public void keyPressed(KeyEvent e) – This method is called when a key is pushed down.
public void keyReleased(KeyEvent e) – This method is called when a key is released.
public void keyTyped(KeyEvent e) – This method is called only for keys that represent
characters. It is called between the times when the two above methods are called.
Of these three methods, we only need keyPressed() and keyReleased() for our game.
These two methods allow us to respond immediately to keys being pressed or released. The
keyTyped() method is not called immediately when a key is pressed and would make the
controls for our program less responsive. However, the interface requires that we have this
method in our code even though it will be empty. KeyTyped() might be used in situations where
the user needs to type text in to the program.
The KeyEvent objects passed into the above three methods contain information
describing which key on the keyboard caused the event. This information can be retrieved by
using KeyEvent’s getKeyCode() method, which returns an integer code. This integer can be
compared with the constants in the KeyEvent class to determine which key was pressed or
released. These constants are in the form KeyEvent.VK_SHIFT, KeyEvent.VK_A,
KeyEvent.VK_ESCAPE, KeyEvent.VK_UP, etc. The “VK” in the constant names stands for
“virtual key.” Refer to the Java API for a complete listing of the constants available.
After we have implemented the KeyListener interface, we need to start our event
handling up in the init() method. We do this with the addKeyListener() method that
AsteroidsGame inherits from Applet. This method takes one parameter of KeyListener type and
causes it to listen to the keyboard events for the applet. Since our AsteroidsGame both the applet
and the KeyListener we are going to use, we pass this in as the parameter. In Java, this is simply
a built-in reference to whatever class it is used in. Since init() is inside AsteroidsGame, we can
call addKeyListener(this) in the init() method to tell our AsteroidsGame class to listen for and
respond to its own KeyEvents.
To test our event handling, we will make the arrow keys move the red circle around the
screen. To accomplish this, we add the xVelocity and yVelocity variables which affect the
coordinates of the circle each frame. When the user presses a key, we set the velocity to move
the circle in the direction indicated by that key. When the key is released, we set the velocity
back to zero. Code 3.8 contains the necessary changes in the code. Though infinite loops are
normally bad programming practice, the infinite loop in the run() method will be terminated
when the webpage containing the applet is closed.
Code 3.8 – AsteroidsGame.java: Event handling test – moving a red circle with the arrow keys.
public class AsteroidsGame extends Applet implements Runnable, KeyListener{

int x, y, xVelocity, yVelocity; //velocity variables store the
//direction the circle is currently moving.
Thread thread;
long endTime, startTime, framePeriod;
... //ellipses indicates that other (previous) code remains the same
public void init(){

resize(500,500);
x=225; //start with the circle in the center of the screen
y=225;
xVelocity=0; //the circle is not moving when the applet starts
yVelocity=0;
addKeyListener(this);
... //other code the same
}
public void run(){

for(;;){//this infinite loop ends when the webpage is exited
x+=xVelocity; //Moves the circle according to the x and y
y+=yVelocity; //velocities, which are set by event handling
repaint();
try{
Thread.sleep(framePeriod-(endTime-startTime));
}
}
}
public void keyPressed(KeyEvent e){ //starts moving the circle when an

//arrow key is pressed
if(e.getKeyCode()==KeyEvent.VK_UP) //VK_UP is the up arrow key
yVelocity=-1; //subtracting from y moves it upward
else if(e.getKeyCode()==KeyEvent.VK_DOWN)
yVelocity=1; //adding to y moves it down
else if(e.getKeyCode()==KeyEvent.VK_LEFT)
xVelocity=-1; //subtracting from x moves it left
else if(e.getKeyCode()==KeyEvent.VK_RIGHT)
xVelocity=1; //adding to x moves it right
}
public void keyReleased(KeyEvent e){ //stops moving the circle when the
//arrow key is released
if(e.getKeyCode()==KeyEvent.VK_UP ||
e.getKeyCode()==KeyEvent.VK_DOWN)
yVelocity=0; //stops vertical motion when either up or down
//is released
else if(e.getKeyCode()==KeyEvent.VK_LEFT ||
e.getKeyCode()==KeyEvent.VK_RIGHT)
xVelocity=0; //stops horizontal motion when either right or
//left is released
}
public void keyTyped(KeyEvent e){ //empty method, but still needed to

} //implement the KeyListener interface
}
Conclusion
We have now explored all the tools we need to program Asteroids. Delete all the lines of
code that involve x, y, xVelocity, or yVelocity. Your code should now look the same as the
GameFramework code in Appendix E, except for the name of the class. The following chapters
build on this framework to create the Asteroids game.
20 Chapter 4: Implementing the Ship Class
Chapter 4: Implementing the Ship Class

Overview
In this chapter, we add a fully functional ship into our game. The ship will be able to fly
around the screen as the user presses the arrow keys and will have a red booster flame that
displays only when it is accelerating. We begin by creating the Ship class, along with its
variables and constructor, in a new file. Then we will implement the methods that draw and
move the ship. Several other small utility methods will also be added. Finally, we will return to
the AsteroidsGame class to insert the ship into the game.
Creating the variables and the constructor

Create a new file named “Ship.java” in the same folder as your “AsteroidsGame.java”
file. In the file, import java.awt.* (once again needed for graphics) and create a Ship class.
To draw the ship, we will use arrays of x and y coordinates that can be passed into the
Graphics.drawPolygon() method. To ensure that the shape of the ship remains constant, we will
use two arrays of constant values (origXPts and origYPts) that we will translate to the ship’s
location. To simplify rotation calculations, these constant values will be coordinates relative to
the center of rotation of the ship. The polygon to draw the booster flame will be implemented in
the same way (using origFlameXPts and origFlameYPts). The values I have used in
code 4.1 create the classic arrowhead shaped ship as seen to the right. å
*Note: The coordinates for the booster flame create a triangle, but it when drawn it meets up flush with the
indented back of the ship because the ship is drawn over a small part of the flame. This happens because
the ship is drawn after the flame and overwrites any pixels that overlap.
For descriptions of each variable (and method) in the Ship class, refer to the table in
Appendix C. In Code 4.1, the variables of the Ship class are given along with the constructor
that initializes them.
Code 4.1 – Ship.java: Class Variables and the constructor (refer to Appendix C for descriptions of
variables of the Ship class)
import java.awt.*;
public class Ship {

// define the shape of the ship and its flame
final double[] origXPts={14,-10,-6,-10},origYPts={0,-8,0,8},
origFlameXPts={-6,-23,-6},origFlameYPts={-3,0,3};
final int radius=6; // radius of circle used to approximate the ship
double x, y, angle, xVelocity, yVelocity, acceleration,

velocityDecay, rotationalSpeed; //variables used in movement
boolean turningLeft, turningRight, accelerating, active;
int[] xPts, yPts, flameXPts, flameYPts; //store the current locations
//of the points used to draw the ship and its flame
int shotDelay, shotDelayLeft; //used to determine the rate of firing
Chapter 4: Implementing the Ship Class 21
public Ship(double x, double y, double angle, double acceleration,

double velocityDecay, double rotationalSpeed,
int shotDelay){
// this.x refers to the Ship's x, x refers to the x parameter
this.x=x;
this.y=y;
this.angle=angle;
this.acceleration=acceleration;
this.velocityDecay=velocityDecay;
this.rotationalSpeed=rotationalSpeed;
xVelocity=0; // not moving
yVelocity=0;
turningLeft=false; // not turning
turningRight=false;
accelerating=false; // not accelerating
active=false; // start off paused
xPts=new int[4]; // allocate space for the arrays
yPts=new int[4];
flameXPts=new int[3];
flameYPts=new int[3];
this.shotDelay=shotDelay; // # of frames between shots
shotDelayLeft=0; // ready to shoot
}
}
Drawing the ship

Before drawing the ship, we need to calculate where the points for the polygons of the
ship and its booster flame should be on the screen. Since origFlameXPts and origFlameYPts are
relative to the rotation point of the ship, we will first rotate their values to the correct direction.
The formulas to rotate a point (X, Y) around the origin by the angle A are:
newX = X*cos(A) – Y*sin(A)

newY = X*sin(A) + Y*cos(A)
Note that the angle is in radians, not degrees. After rotating the points, we must move them to
the location of the ship by adding x and y (the coordinates for the center of the ship). Finally, we
round the values to the nearest integer by adding .5 and casting them as integers, which truncates
the decimal (i.e. .5 + .5 = 1.0 truncates to 1; .4 + .5 = 0.9 truncates to 0). We cast the values as
integers because the drawPolygon() method we will use only accepts integers as parameters.
Once we have created arrays of integers representing the polygons, we simply set the
color we want them drawn and then make a call to drawPolygon(). The first two parameters of
drawPolygon() are an array of x coordinates and an array of y coordinates for the points of the
polygon. The last parameter is the number of points in the polygon.
Code 4.2 – Ship.java: The draw method calculates where the polygons should be, then draws them.
public void draw(Graphics g){

//rotate the points, translate them to the ship's location (by
//adding x and y), then round them by adding .5 and casting them
//as integers (which truncates any decimal place)
if(accelerating && active){ // draw flame if accelerating
for(int i=0;i<3;i++){
flameXPts[i]=(int)(origFlameXPts[i]*Math.cos(angle)-
origFlameYPts[i]*Math.sin(angle)+
x+.5);
flameYPts[i]=(int)(origFlameXPts[i]*Math.sin(angle)+
origFlameYPts[i]*Math.cos(angle)+
y+.5);
}
g.setColor(Color.red); //set color of flame
g.fillPolygon(flameXPts,flameYPts,3); // 3 is # of points
}
//calculate the polygon for the ship, then draw it
xPts[i]=(int)(origXPts[i]*Math.cos(angle)- //rotate
origYPts[i]*Math.sin(angle)+
x+.5); //translate and round
yPts[i]=(int)(origXPts[i]*Math.sin(angle)+ //rotate
origYPts[i]*Math.cos(angle)+
y+.5); //translate and round
}
if(active) // active means game is running (not paused)
g.setColor(Color.white);
else // draw the ship dark gray if the game is paused
g.setColor(Color.darkGray);
g.fillPolygon(xPts,yPts,4); // 4 is the number of points
}
Moving the ship

The move method will be called once for each frame of the game. This makes it a
convenient place to decrement the shotDelayLeft variable, which must be zero for the ship to be
able to fire. When the ship does fire, shotDelayLeft is set to the value in shotDelay. Thus, the
ship can fire one shot for every shotDelay frames (letting it fire a shot every frame would be
giving the player a super machine gun).
After decrementing shotDelay, add the negative or positive rotationalSpeed to angle
according to whether the ship is turning left or right. Although it may not be practically
necessary, I consider it good programming practice to make sure angle stays within the bounds
of one full circle from 0 to 2π. Otherwise the user could theoretically spin the ship until angle
overloaded the capacity of the double type, at which point it would exhibit erratic behavior.
Next, add the respective components of acceleration to the x and y velocities if the ship is
accelerating. Then move the ship by adding the velocity to its position. After moving the ship,
the velocity needs to be decayed by multiplying it by velocityDecay, which is a percentage value.
This creates a neat drift effect and also effectively limits the maximum speed of the ship. For
instance, if velocityDecay is .8 and acceleration is 1, then the maximum speed of the ship would
be 5 pixels per frame. This is where the decay and acceleration cancel each other out. The
formula would be (max velocity) * (velocity decay) + (acceleration) = (max velocity). In this
case, 5*.8 + 1 = 5, resulting in zero net change in velocity.
Finally, when the ship goes out of the bounds of the screen, we want to make it wrap
around into the opposite side of the screen. The code for the move() method is given in code 4.3.
Code 4.3 – Ship.java: The move method (1) decrements shotDelayLeft, (2) adds the acceleration value to
the speed of the ship if it is accelerating, (3) moves the ship according to its velocity, (4) decays the ships
velocity, and (5) wraps the location of the ship around to the opposite side of the screen if it goes out of
bounds.
public void move(int scrnWidth, int scrnHeight){

if(shotDelayLeft>0) //move() is called every frame that the game
shotDelayLeft--; //is run, so this ticks down the shot delay
if(turningLeft) //this is backwards from typical polar coordinates
angle-=rotationalSpeed; //because positive y is downward.
if(turningRight) //Because of that, adding to the angle is
angle+=rotationalSpeed; //rotating clockwise (to the right)
if(angle>(2*Math.PI)) //Keep angle within bounds of 0 to 2*PI
angle-=(2*Math.PI);
else if(angle<0)
angle+=(2*Math.PI);
if(accelerating){ //adds accel to velocity in direction pointed
//calculates components of accel and adds them to velocity
xVelocity+=acceleration*Math.cos(angle);
yVelocity+=acceleration*Math.sin(angle);
}
x+=xVelocity; //move the ship by adding velocity to position
y+=yVelocity;
xVelocity*=velocityDecay; //slows ship down by percentages (velDecay
yVelocity*=velocityDecay; //should be a decimal between 0 and 1
if(x<0) //wrap the ship around to the opposite side of the screen
x+=scrnWidth; //when it goes out of the screen's bounds
else if(x>scrnWidth)
x-=scrnWidth;
if(y<0)
y+=scrnHeight;
else if(y>scrnHeight)
y-=scrnHeight;
}
Implementing other needed methods

All that is left to write in our Ship class are methods that allow other classes to get and set
different values and a shoot() method. The getter and setter methods are all fairly
straightforward and are given in code 4.4. Shoot() will be added in chapter 5 when we create the
Shot class.
Code 4.4 – Ship.java: Getter and setter methods
public void setAccelerating(boolean accelerating){

this.accelerating=accelerating; //start or stop accelerating the ship
}
public void setTurningLeft(boolean turningLeft){

this.turningLeft=turningLeft; //start or stop turning the ship
}
public void setTurningRight(boolean turningRight){

this.turningRight=turningRight;
}
public double getX(){

return x; // returns the ship’s x location
}
public double getY(){

return y;
}
public double getRadius(){

return radius; // returns radius of circle that approximates the ship
}
public void setActive(boolean active){

this.active=active; //used when the game is paused or unpaused
}
public boolean isActive(){

return active;
}
public boolean canShoot(){

if(shotDelayLeft>0) //checks to see if the ship is ready to
return false; //shoot again yet or if it needs to wait longer
else
return true;
}
Using a Ship in AsteroidsGame

To put the ship into the game, make the following changes in AsteroidsGame (see code
4.5 for the actual code):
1. Declare a Ship object and a boolean paused variable.

2. Instantiate the Ship object and paused in the init function.
3. Call the Ship’s draw() method (sending g as the parameter) in paint().
4. Insert a conditional call to the Ship’s move() method in run(). It should only get
called if the game is not paused.
5. Insert code for event handling for the arrow keys and for enter (the pause key).
After making these changes, your game should start out with a grayed out ship in the
middle of the screen when you run the program. Nothing should happen until you push enter to
start the game. When the game is unpaused, the ship should be white and should move around as
you push the arrow keys.
Code 4.5 – AsteroidsGame.java: Ship test – moving a ship with the arrow keys.
... //Same variables as in framework

Ship ship;
boolean paused; // True if the game is paused. Enter is the pause key
public void init(){

resize(500,500);
// I like .35 for acceleration, .98 for velocityDecay, and

// .1 for rotationalSpeed. They give the controls a nice feel.
ship=new Ship(250,250,0,.35,.98,.1,12); //creates the ship
paused=false;
... //same as from framework

}

g.setColor(Color.black);
g.fillRect(0,0,500,500);
ship.draw(g); //draw the ship
gfx.drawImage(img,0,0,this);
}
public void run(){

for(;;){
if(!paused)
ship.move(dim.width,dim.height); //move the ship
repaint();
try{
}
}
}
public void keyPressed(KeyEvent e){

if(e.getKeyCode()==KeyEvent.VK_ENTER){
//These first two lines allow the asteroids to move
//while the player chooses when to enter the game.
//This happens when the player is starting a new life.
if(!ship.isActive() && !paused)
ship.setActive(true);
else{
paused=!paused; //enter is the pause button
if(paused) // grays out the ship if paused
ship.setActive(false);
else
}
}else if(paused || !ship.isActive()) //if the game is

return; //paused or ship is inactive, do not respond
//to the controls except for enter to unpause
else if(e.getKeyCode()==KeyEvent.VK_UP)
ship.setAccelerating(true);
ship.setTurningLeft(true);
ship.setTurningRight(true);
}
public void keyReleased(KeyEvent e){

if(e.getKeyCode()==KeyEvent.VK_UP)
ship.setAccelerating(false);
ship.setTurningLeft(false);
ship.setTurningRight(false);
}
... //Other methods the same as in framework

}
Chapter 5: Implementing the Shot Class 27
Chapter 5: Implementing the Shot Class

Overview
In this chapter, we create the Shot class and give our ship the ability to shoot. As with
the Ship class, we make a new file and create the Shot class in it. Then we create the variables,
the constructor, the draw() and move() methods, and other utility methods. After that, we return
to the Ship class to add a new shoot() method to it. Finally, we go to the AsteroidsGame class to
finish adding shots into the game.
Creating the variables and the constructor

Create a Shot.java file in the same folder as your other files and then create the Shot class
in the file. The Shot class will have variables to represent its location, velocity components, and
how much longer it will last for before disappearing if it doesn’t hit anything. It will also have a
constant representing the speed at which the shots travel.
The best way to set up the constructor is to take the initial coordinates of the shot, the
angle it was fired at, the velocity of the ship it was fired from, and its life as parameters. Then
the corresponding variables in Ship (coordinates and angle) can just be passed into the
constructor when a shot is fired. The x and y velocity is calculated from the angle of the ship,
the velocity of the ship, and the constant shotSpeed in the constructor as shown in code 5.1. Shot
speed can be thought of as the speed the shots would be fired at if the ship were not moving. If
the ship is moving, then its movement is added to that speed.
Like the Ship class, Shot will have a move() method that is called once per frame. This
makes it a convenient place to decrement the amount of time the Shot has left before
disappearing (lifeLeft). Then the move() method will add the velocity to the position and wrap it
around to the other side of the screen if needed.
The draw() method simply draws a yellow circle of radius 3 (to make it visible) at the
nearest point with integer coordinates.
The complete code for Shot is shown in code 5.1.
Code 5.1 – Shot.java: The completed Shot class.
import java.awt.*;
public class Shot {

final double shotSpeed=12; //the speed at which the shots move, in
//pixels per frame
double x,y,xVelocity,yVelocity; //variables for movement
int lifeLeft; //causes the shot to eventually disappear if it doesn’t
//hit anything
public Shot(double x, double y, double angle, double shipXVel,

double shipYVel, int lifeLeft){
this.x=x;
this.y=y;
// add the velocity of the ship to the shot velocity
// (so the shot's velocity is relative to the ship's velocity)
28 Chapter 5: Implementing the Shot Class
xVelocity=shotSpeed*Math.cos(angle)+shipXVel;
yVelocity=shotSpeed*Math.sin(angle)+shipYVel;
// the number of frames the shot will last for before
// disappearing if it doesn't hit anything
this.lifeLeft=lifeLeft;
}

lifeLeft--; // used to make shot disappear if it goes too long
// without hitting anything
x+=xVelocity; // move the shot
y+=yVelocity;
if(x<0) // wrap the shot around to the opposite side of the
x+=scrnWidth; // screen if needed
x-=scrnWidth;
if(y<0)
y+=scrnHeight;
y-=scrnHeight;
}

g.setColor(Color.yellow); //set shot color
//draw circle of radius 3 centered at the closest point
//with integer coordinates (.5 added to x-1 and y-1 for rounding)
g.fillOval((int)(x-.5), (int)(y-.5), 3, 3);
}

return x;
}

return y;
}
public int getLifeLeft(){

return lifeLeft;
}
}
Implementing Ship’s shoot() method

After creating the shot class, the shoot() method can be added to the Ship class. This
method is very simple. It only involves creating a new Shot and returning it. The ship’s
position, angle, and velocity are sent in to the Shot constructor to be used in calculating the
shot’s position and velocity. See code 5.2 for the completed method.
Code 5.2 – Ship.java: The completed shoot() method.
public Shot shoot(){

shotDelayLeft=shotDelay; //set delay till next shot can be fired
//a life of 40 makes the shot travel about the width of the
//screen before disappearing
return new Shot(x,y,angle,xVelocity,yVelocity,40);
}
Using Shot in AsteroidsGame

To make it to where the ship can fire, do following things in the AsteroidsGame class
(see Code 5.3):
1. Add an array of Shot objects, the numShots integer to store how many shots are on the
screen, and a boolean shooting value for event handling.
2. Allocate space for the Shot array, set numShots to 0, and set shooting to false in the
init() method.
3. Add a loop to call the draw() method for each shot in paint().
4. Add code in run() to move each shot, delete the ones that die off, and add new ones to
the array when the ship is shooting.
5. Add event handling to set the shooting variable when the ctrl key is pressed or
released.
After making these changes, run the program. The ship should now be able to shoot little
yellow dots when “ctrl” is pressed and the game is not paused.
Code 5.3 – AsteroidsGame.java: Shooting test – Use ctrl key to shoot.
... // Same variables from framework
Ship ship;
Shot[] shots; //Variable that stores the new array of Shots
int numShots; //Stores the number of shots in the array
boolean shooting; //true if the ship is currently shooting
public void init(){

resize(500,500);

ship=new Ship(250,250,0,.35,.98,.1,12); //creates the ship
paused=true;
shots=new Shot[41]; //Allocate the space for the array.
//We allocate enough space to store the maximum number of
//shots that can possibly be on the screen at one time.
//41 is the max because no more than one shot can be fired per
//frame and shots only last for 40 frames (40 is the value passed
//in for lifeLeft when shots are created)
numShots=0; //no shots on the screen to start with.
shooting=false; //the ship is not shooting
... //Same code from framework here

}
30 Chapter 5: Implementing the Shot Class

g.fillRect(0,0,500,500);

for(int i=0;i<numShots;i++) //loop that calls draw() for each shot
shots[i].draw(g);
}
public void run(){

for(;;){
if(!paused){
ship.move(dim.width,dim.height); // move the ship
//this loop moves each shot and deletes dead shots
for(int i=0;i<numShots;i++){
shots[i].move(dim.width,dim.height);
//removes shot if it has gone for too long
//without hitting anything
if(shots[i].getLifeLeft()<=0){
//shifts all the next shots up one
//space in the array
deleteShot(i); //SEE NEW METHOD BELOW
i--; // move the outer loop back one so
// the shot shifted up is not skipped
}
}
if(shooting && ship.canShoot()){
//add a shot on to the array if the ship is shooting
shots[numShots]=ship.shoot();
numShots++;
}
}
repaint();
try{
}
}
}
private void deleteShot(int index){

//delete shot and move all shots after it up in the array
numShots--;
for(int i=index;i<numShots;i++)
shots[i]=shots[i+1];
shots[numShots]=null;
}

... //Same as before

else if(e.getKeyCode()==KeyEvent.VK_CONTROL)
shooting=true; //Start shooting when ctrl is pushed
}

... // Same as before
shooting=false; //Stop shooting when ctrl is released
}
32 Chapter 6: Implementing the Asteroid Class
Chapter 6: Implementing the Asteroid Class

Overview
In this chapter, we complete our basic Asteroids game. First, we create the Asteroid class
complete with its variables, constructor, and basic methods (similar to the Ship and Shot class).
Next, we add methods that detect when collisions occur between the asteroid and the ship or any
of the shots. After implementing collision detection, we create a method used to split the
asteroid up when it is hit by a shot. Finally, we add asteroids into the AsteroidsGame class. For
simplicity’s sake, each level will have the number of asteroids equal to the level number. When
all the asteroids are destroyed, the game will advance to the next level. If the ship collides with
an asteroid, the game will start that level over.
Creating the variables, constructor, and basic methods

In the same folder with your other files, create an Asteroid.java file with a class named
Asteroid in it. Just like the Shot class, Asteroid will need variables to store its location (x and y)
and velocity (xVelocity and yVelocity). It will also need variables for its size (radius), the
number of smaller asteroids it will break up into (numSplit), and the number of hits it has left
(hitsLeft). Each time the asteroid is shot, it will break up into numSplit smaller asteroids that
each have one fewer hitsLeft than the asteroid that was shot. When an asteroid only has one hit
left, it will completely disappear when it is shot instead of breaking up any further.
The constructor naturally initializes each variable according to the parameters passed in.
The main difference between this constructor and the constructor for Shot is that this one
calculates a random velocity and direction based on the maxVelocity and minVelocity parameters.
Math.random() is a function that returns a random decimal value between zero and one. Using
it, we can generate a random value between zero and any number simply by multiplying it by
that number. In the constructor, it is used to give the asteroid a random velocity between
minVelocity and maxVelocity as well as a random angle (or direction) between 0 and 2π (a full
circle in radians).
The move() and draw() methods are also very similar to those for Shot. The major
difference in move() is that we allow the asteroids to go a distance equal to their radius beyond
the edges of the screen before being wrapped around to the other side. This allows the asteroids
to go completely off the screen before reemerging on the other side. Otherwise, the asteroid
would disappear when it is half off one side and reappear half on the other side of the screen. If
this happened while the ship were close to the other edge, the asteroid could appear on top of the
ship, giving the player no time to react. The only differences in the draw() method are the color
and the radius of the circle being drawn.
The getHitsLeft() method simply returns hitsLeft so that the AsteroidsGame class can
determine whether the asteroid should be split up further or not. GetNumSplit() returns the
number of smaller asteroids that this asteroid should split into when hit by a shot.
Code 6.1 – Asteroid.java: The basic methods of the Asteroid class.
import java.awt.*;
Chapter 6: Implementing the Asteroid Class 33
public class Asteroid {

double x, y, xVelocity, yVelocity, radius;
int hitsLeft, numSplit;
public Asteroid(double x,double y,double radius,double minVelocity,

double maxVelocity,int hitsLeft,int numSplit){
this.x=x;
this.y=y;
this.radius=radius;
this.hitsLeft=hitsLeft; //number of shots left to destroy it
this.numSplit=numSplit; //number of smaller asteroids it
//breaks up into when shot
//calculates a random direction and a random
//velocity between minVelocity and maxVelocity
double vel=minVelocity + Math.random()*(maxVelocity-minVelocity),
dir=2*Math.PI*Math.random(); // random direction
xVelocity=vel*Math.cos(dir);
yVelocity=vel*Math.sin(dir);
}

x+=xVelocity; //move the asteroid
y+=yVelocity;
//wrap around code allowing the asteroid to go off the screen
//to a distance equal to its radius before entering on the
//other side. Otherwise, it would go halfway off the sceen,
//then disappear and reappear halfway on the other side
//of the screen.
if(x<0-radius)
x+=scrnWidth+2*radius;
else if(x>scrnWidth+radius)
x-=scrnWidth+2*radius;
if(y<0-radius)
y+=scrnHeight+2*radius;
else if(y>scrnHeight+radius)
y-=scrnHeight+2*radius;
}

g.setColor(Color.gray); // set color for the asteroid
// draw the asteroid centered at (x,y)
g.fillOval((int)(x-radius+.5),(int)(y-radius+.5),
(int)(2*radius),(int)(2*radius));
}
public int getHitsLeft(){

//used by AsteroidsGame to determine whether the asteroid should
//be split up into smaller asteroids or destroyed completely.
return hitsLeft;
}
public int getNumSplit(){

return numSplit;
}
Detecting collisions
Collision detection is the programming necessary to determine when one object in a
game collides with another. In asteroids, the only collisions we need to detect and respond to are
collisions between a shot and an asteroid and collisions between the ship and an asteroid.
Because these both involve an asteroid, we will implement the methods that detect collisions in
the Asteroid class.
To greatly simplify the calculations needed to detect collisions, we will approximate the
shape of the ship with a circle. If the sum of the radii of two circles is greater than the distance
between the centers of those circles, then the circles are touching (or overlapping) each other.
Using the distance formula, the circles have collided if the following statement is true,
r1+r2 > sqrt( (x1–x2)2 + (y1–y2)2 )
Where (x1,y1), (x2,y2) are the centers of the circles and r1, r2 are their radii.
Because calculating square roots requires more processing time than multiplying, we can make
our program more efficient by squaring both sides of the inequality. Then, we can determine if
the circles have collided by using this inequality:
(r1+r2)2 > (x1–x2)2 + (y1–y2)2
When determining if a shot has collided with an asteroid, we will treat the shots as points
with no radius. This leaves only the radius of the asteroid to be squared on the left side of the
inequality.
The two methods we need for collision detection will accept either a Ship or a Shot as a
parameter and will return true if the asteroid has collided with that Ship or Shot. Otherwise, they
will return false. Their encoding is given in Code 6.2.
Code 6.2 – Asteroid.java: Collision detection methods in the Asteroid class.
public boolean shipCollision(Ship ship){

// Use the distance formula to check if the ship is touching this
// asteroid: Distance^2 = (x1-x2)^2 + (y1-y2)^2 ("^" denotes
// exponents). If the sum of the radii is greater than the
// distance between the center of the ship and asteroid, they are
// touching.
// if (shipRadius + asteroidRadius)^2 > (x1-x2)^2 + (y1-y2)^2,
// then they have collided.
// It does not check for collisions if the ship is not active
// (the player is waiting to start a new life or the game is paused).
if(Math.pow(radius+ship.getRadius(),2) > Math.pow(ship.getX()-x,2)+
Math.pow(ship.getY()-y,2) && ship.isActive())
return true;
return false;
}
public boolean shotCollision(Shot shot){

// Same idea as shipCollision, but using shotRadius = 0
if(Math.pow(radius,2) > Math.pow(shot.getX()-x,2)+
Math.pow(shot.getY()-y,2))
return true;
return false;
Splitting the asteroid

We need one last method that will create the smaller asteroids when the asteroid is shot.
A good way to determine the size of the smaller asteroids is to make the sum of their areas equal
to the area of the original asteroid. This can be done simply by setting their radii equal to the
radius of the original asteroid divided by the square root of numSplit. The smaller asteroids are
given one less hit left than the original asteroid. They will split up into the same number of
asteroids as the original if they still have a hit left. The code for the method is given in Code 6.3.
Code 6.3 – Asteroid.java: Method that creates smaller asteroids for when this asteroid is split up.
public Asteroid createSplitAsteroid(double minVelocity,

double maxVelocity){
//when this asteroid gets hit by a shot, this method is called
//numSplit times by AsteroidsGame to create numSplit smaller
//asteroids. Dividing the radius by sqrt(numSplit) makes the
//sum of the areas taken up by the smaller asteroids equal to
//the area of this asteroid. Each smaller asteroid has one
//less hit left before being completely destroyed.
return new Asteroid(x,y,radius/Math.sqrt(numSplit),
minVelocity,maxVelocity,hitsLeft-1,numSplit);
}
Adding asteroids into AsteroidsGame

Now that our Ship, Shot, and Asteroid classes are complete, we are ready to finish off the
game with some final changes to the AsteroidsGame class. We need to do the following:
1. Create an array of Asteroids large enough to hold the maximum number of asteroids
possible and a variable to store the number of asteroids in it.
2. Call the draw() function of each asteroid and display the level number in paint().
3. Move each asteroid and check for collisions with the ship or any of the shots in the
run() method. Restart the level if the ship collides with an asteroid. Split or
delete the asteroid if a shot collides with it.
4. Start a new level when all the asteroids are destroyed.
To accomplish these tasks, we will need to add more variables and methods to
AsteroidsGame. The new variables are explained at the beginning of Code 6.4. All of the
methods in Code 6.4 have either been modified or added to the AsteroidsGame class.
Descriptions are available in Appendix A.
Code 6.4 – AsteroidsGame.java: Changes to existing methods and new methods to complete
AsteroidsGame.
... // same code as before

Asteroid[] asteroids; //the array of asteroids
int numAsteroids; //the number of asteroids currently in the array
double astRadius,minAstVel,maxAstVel; //values used to create asteroids
int astNumHits,astNumSplit;
int level; //the current level number
public void init(){

resize(500,500);
// NOTE THAT SOME OF THE INITIALIZATIONS HERE HAVE BEEN MOVED TO THE
// setUpNextLevel() FUNCTION.
shots=new Shot[41]; //41 is a shot's life period plus one.
//since at most one shot can be fired per frame,
//there will never be more than 41 shots if each one only
//lives for 40 frames.
numAsteroids=0;
level=0; //will be incremented to 1 when first level is set up
astRadius=60; //values used to create the asteroids
minAstVel=.5;
maxAstVel=5;
astNumHits=3;
astNumSplit=2;
endTime=0;
startTime=0;
framePeriod=25;
addKeyListener(this); //tell it to listen for KeyEvents
dim=getSize();
img=createImage(dim.width, dim.height);
g=img.getGraphics();
thread.start();
}
public void setUpNextLevel(){ //starts a new level with one more asteroid
level++;
// create a new, inactive ship centered on the screen
ship=new Ship(250,250,0,.35,.98,.1,12);
numShots=0; //no shots on the screen at beginning of level
paused=false;
shooting=false;
//create an array large enough to hold the biggest number
//of asteroids possible on this level (plus one because
//the split asteroids are created first, then the original
//one is deleted). The level number is equal to the
//number of asteroids at it's start.
asteroids=new Asteroid[level *
(int)Math.pow(astNumSplit,astNumHits-1)+1];
numAsteroids=level;
//create asteroids in random spots on the screen
for(int i=0;i<numAsteroids;i++)
asteroids[i]=new Asteroid(Math.random()*dim.width,
Math.random()*dim.height,astRadius,minAstVel,
maxAstVel,astNumHits,astNumSplit);
}

g.fillRect(0,0,500,500);
for(int i=0;i<numShots;i++) //draw all the shots on the screen
shots[i].draw(g);
asteroids[i].draw(g);
g.setColor(Color.cyan); //Display the level number in top left corner
g.drawString("Level " + level,20,20);
}
public void run(){

for(;;){
//start next level when all asteroids are destroyed

if(numAsteroids<=0)
setUpNextLevel();
if(!paused){
//move shots and remove dead shots
deleteShot(i);
}
}
//move asteroids and check for collisions
updateAsteroids();//SEE NEW METHOD BELOW

//add a shot on to the array
numShots++;
}
}
repaint();
try{
}
}
}

numShots--;
}
private void deleteAsteroid(int index){

//delete asteroid and shift ones after it up in the array
numAsteroids--;
for(int i=index;i<numAsteroids;i++)
asteroids[i]=asteroids[i+1];
asteroids[numAsteroids]=null;
}
private void addAsteroid(Asteroid ast){

//adds the asteroid passed in to the end of the array
asteroids[numAsteroids]=ast;
numAsteroids++;
}
private void updateAsteroids(){

for(int i=0;i<numAsteroids;i++){
// move each asteroid
asteroids[i].move(dim.width,dim.height);
//check for collisions with the ship, restart the
//level if the ship gets hit
if(asteroids[i].shipCollision(ship)){
level--; //restart this level
numAsteroids=0;
return;
}
//check for collisions with any of the shots
for(int j=0;j<numShots;j++){
if(asteroids[i].shotCollision(shots[j])){
//if the shot hit an asteroid, delete the shot
deleteShot(j);
//split the asteroid up if needed
if(asteroids[i].getHitsLeft()>1){
for(int k=0;k<asteroids[i].getNumSplit();k++)
addAsteroid(
asteroids[i].createSplitAsteroid(
minAstVel,maxAstVel));
}
//delete the original asteroid
deleteAsteroid(i);
j=numShots; //break out of inner loop - it has
//already been hit, so don’t need to check
//for collision with other shots

i--; //don’t skip asteroid shifted back into
//the deleted asteroid's position
}
}
}
}
... // other methods the same
With these changes, you should now have a working, basic Asteroids game. The
complete code needed for each class is located in Appendices A through D.
40 Chapter 7: Customizing and Modifying the Game
Chapter 7: Customizing and Modifying the Game

Feel free to customize or modify your game in any way you desire. I have listed below
some of my ideas for ways to expand and enhance the game. They are listed roughly in order of
increasing difficulty.
1. Play with some of the different values to find the ones you like best for the game.
2. Display the players hit percentage (total number of shots that have hit an asteroid
divided by the total number of shots fired, then multiplied by 100). You will need
to add variables to keep track of the cumulative number of shots fired and of shots
that hit asteroids.
3. Add in a limited number of lives. When they have been used up, start the game over
at level 1. If you do this, do not restart the level when the ship crashes.
4. Add in a scoring system. This could include points for destroying asteroids, beating
levels, etc. Bonus lives could be awarded for certain amounts of points
5. Create a customized set of levels using different values for things like the number of
asteroids, their number of hits, their size, the number of asteroids they break into,
the rate at which the ship can fire, the velocities of the ship and asteroids, etc.
These values could be read in from text files to initialize each level. I personally
enjoy having a level where the ship has a machinegun. You can do this by giving
the ship a very small delay between when shots can be fired.
6. Create a Graphical User Interface (GUI) for the game. This could include a starting
menu with buttons, options, etc. (Note that if you use Swing components, your
AsteroidsGame class will need to extend JApplet instead of Applet. Swing
components do not display properly in a regular Applet).
7. Make the game two player (cooperative and/or player vs. player). Perhaps the letters
W, S, A, and D could be used as the controls for player two.
8. Add in UFOs that either shoot randomly or at the player (like in the original asteroids
game).
9. Add in different weapons or bonuses. A spread shot would not be hard to add (instead
of shooting one bullet at a time, the ship fires multiple bullets that fan out).
Appendix A: The Completed AsteroidsGame Class 41
Appendix A: The AsteroidsGame Class

In this appendix, Table A.1 describes each variable and method in the AsteroidsGame
class and Code A.2 provides a complete listing of the finished code for the AsteroidsGame class.
The variables and methods in the table are in the same order as they appear in the code and are
grouped together when they are closely related.
Variables Description
Thread thread The thread that runs the game.
Dimension dim Stores the width and height of the applet.
Image img Acts as the back buffer. Used to implement double buffering.
Graphics g Used to draw on img, the back buffer.
long endTime, startTime, Used to mark the beginning and ending time for the calculations
framePeriod performed in run() so that the rate at which the program is run can
be regulated to framePeriod milliseconds per frame.
Ship ship Represents the player’s ship.
boolean paused True if the game is paused. The enter key toggles it.
Shot[] shots Array that holds all the Shot objects currently on the screen and
int numShots integer that tracks the number of shots on the screen.
boolean shooting True if the user is holding down the fire key, ctrl.
Asteroid[] asteroids Array that holds all the Asteroid objects currenly on the screen and
int numAsteroids integer that tracks the number of asteroids on the screen.
double astRadius, Variables that hold the radius, minimum velocity, and maximum
minAstVel, maxAstVel velocity used for each new asteroid created.
int astNumHits, Variables that hold the number of hits and the number of smaller
astNumSplit asteroids split into used for each new asteroid created.
int level Holds the current level number, which is equal to the number of
asteroids on the screen when the level starts.
Methods Description
void init() First method called when the Applet starts. Used to initialize all
necessary variables and objects.
void setUpNextLevel() Sets everything up to begin the next level.
void paint() Draws all the graphics to a back buffer, then copies it to the screen.
void update() Overridden to only prevent flickering (the inherited version clears
the screen then calls paint())
void run() The method that is continuously being run by the thread. It moves
the objects in game and checks for collisions.
void deleteShot() Removes the shot at the index passed in and shifts all the shots
after it up one spot in the array.
void deleteAsteroid() Removes the asteroid at the index passed in and shifts all the ones
after it up one spot in the array.
42 Appendix A: The Completed AsteroidsGame Class
void addAsteroid() Adds the asteroid passed in as a parameter to the end of the
asteroids array.
void updateAsteroids() Moves each asteroid, then checks for collisions with both the ship
and any of the shots. Responds as needed to collisions.
void keyPressed() Determines what happens when the user presses a key.
void keyReleased() Determines what happens when the user releases a key.
void keyTyped() Empty method that is needed to implement KeyListener.
Table A.1: Variables and methods of the AsteroidsGame class
Code A.2 – AsteroidsGame.java: The final code for the AsteroidsGame class.
import java.applet.*;
import java.awt.*;
import java.awt.event.*;
Thread thread;
Dimension dim;
Image img;
Graphics g;
Ship ship;
Shot[] shots;
int numShots;
boolean shooting;
Asteroid[] asteroids; //the array of asteroids

int numAsteroids; //the number of asteroids currently in the array
double astRadius, minAstVel,maxAstVel; //values used to create
//asteroids
int astNumHits,astNumSplit;
int level; //the current level number
public void init(){

resize(500,500);
shots=new Shot[41]; //41 is a shot's life period plus one.

//since at most one shot can be fired per frame,
//there will never be more than 41 shots if each one only
//lives for 40 frames.
numAsteroids=0;
level=0; //will be incremented to 1 when first level is set up
astRadius=60; //values used to create the asteroids
minAstVel=.5;
maxAstVel=5;
astNumHits=3;
astNumSplit=2;
endTime=0;
startTime=0;
framePeriod=25;
addKeyListener(this); //tell it to listen for KeyEvents
dim=getSize();
img=createImage(dim.width, dim.height);
g=img.getGraphics();
thread.start();
}
public void setUpNextLevel(){ //start new level with one more asteroid
level++;
// create a new, inactive ship centered on the screen
ship=new Ship(250,250,0,.35,.98,.1,12);
numShots=0; //no shots on the screen at beginning of level
paused=false;
shooting=false;
//create an array large enough to hold the biggest number
//of asteroids possible on this level (plus one because
//the split asteroids are created first, then the original
//one is deleted). The level number is equal to the
//number of asteroids at it's start.
asteroids=new Asteroid[level *
(int)Math.pow(astNumSplit,astNumHits-1)+1];
numAsteroids=level;
//create asteroids in random spots on the screen
asteroids[i]=new Asteroid(Math.random()*dim.width,
Math.random()*dim.height,astRadius,minAstVel,
maxAstVel,astNumHits,astNumSplit);
}

g.fillRect(0,0,500,500);
for(int i=0;i<numShots;i++) //draw all the shots on the screen

shots[i].draw(g);
asteroids[i].draw(g);
g.setColor(Color.cyan); //Display level number in top left corner

g.drawString("Level " + level,20,20);
}

paint(gfx);
}
public void run(){

for(;;){
//start next level when all asteroids are destroyed

if(numAsteroids<=0)
setUpNextLevel();
if(!paused){
//move shots and remove dead shots
deleteShot(i);
}
}
//move asteroids and check for collisions
updateAsteroids();

//add a shot on to the array
numShots++;
}
}
repaint();
try{
}
}
}

numShots--;
}
private void deleteAsteroid(int index){

//delete asteroid and shift ones after it up in the array
numAsteroids--;
for(int i=index;i<numAsteroids;i++)
asteroids[i]=asteroids[i+1];
asteroids[numAsteroids]=null;
}
private void addAsteroid(Asteroid ast){

//adds the asteroid passed in to the end of the array
asteroids[numAsteroids]=ast;
numAsteroids++;
}
private void updateAsteroids(){

for(int i=0;i<numAsteroids;i++){
// move each asteroid
asteroids[i].move(dim.width,dim.height);
//check for collisions with the ship, restart the
//level if the ship gets hit
if(asteroids[i].shipCollision(ship)){
level--; //restart this level
numAsteroids=0;
return;
}
//check for collisions with any of the shots
for(int j=0;j<numShots;j++){
if(asteroids[i].shotCollision(shots[j])){
//if the shot hit an asteroid, delete the shot
deleteShot(j);
//split the asteroid up if needed
if(asteroids[i].getHitsLeft()>1){
for(int k=0;k<asteroids[i].getNumSplit();
k++)
addAsteroid(
asteroids[i].createSplitAsteroid(
minAstVel,maxAstVel));
}
//delete the original asteroid
deleteAsteroid(i);
j=numShots; //break out of inner loop - it has
//already been hit, don't need to check
//for collision with other shots
i--; //don't skip asteroid shifted back into
//the deleted asteroid's position
}
}
}
}

if(e.getKeyCode()==KeyEvent.VK_ENTER){
//These first two lines allow the asteroids to move
//while the player chooses when to enter the game.
//This happens when the player is starting a new life.
if(!ship.isActive() && !paused)
else{
paused=!paused; //enter is the pause button
if(paused) // grays out the ship if paused
ship.setActive(false);
else
}
}else if(paused || !ship.isActive()) //if the game is
return; //paused or ship is inactive, do not respond
//to the controls except for enter to unpause
else if(e.getKeyCode()==KeyEvent.VK_UP)
ship.setAccelerating(true);
ship.setTurningLeft(true);
ship.setTurningRight(true);
shooting=true; //Start shooting if ctrl is pushed
}

if(e.getKeyCode()==KeyEvent.VK_UP)
ship.setAccelerating(false);
ship.setTurningLeft(false);
ship.setTurningRight(false);
shooting=false;
}
public void keyTyped(KeyEvent e){

}
}
Appendix B: The Completed Ship Class 47
Appendix B: The Completed Ship Class

In this appendix, Table B.1 describes each variable and method in the Ship class and
Code B.2 provides a complete listing of the finished code for the Ship class. The variables and
methods in the table are in the same order as they appear in the code and are grouped together
when they are closely related.
final double[] origXPoints, Constants that define the shape of the ship. They store the original
origYPoints, x and y values for the points used to draw the ship. To draw the
ship, we rotate these values in the direction the ship is facing, then
translate them to the ship’s location.
final double[] Constants that define the shape of the flame that comes out of the
origFlameXPoints, back of the ship when it is accelerating. They are used to draw the
origFlameYPoints flame in the same manner as the ship is drawn.
final int radius Constant that stores the radius of a circle that approximates the
ships shape. It is used in collision detection (see chapter 6).
double x, y Store the current coordinates of the center of the ship.
double angle Stores the angle (in radians) that the ship is facing. Zero
represents facing right and the angle increases as you rotate
clockwise.
double xVelocity, Store the velocity the ship is currently moving in the x and y
yVelocity directions.
double acceleration When the ship is accelerating, this value is added to the ship’s
velocity (by adding x/y components). It is added once per frame.
double velocityDecay A value that represents drag, which causes the ship to slow down
as it coasts. The ship’s velocity is multiplied by this value once
each frame. It should be a decimal value between 0 and 1.
double rotationalSpeed The speed at which the ship turns when the user presses the left or
right arrow keys.
boolean turningLeft, These are true when the user is holding down the left or right
turningRight arrow key, respectively.
boolean accelerating True if the user is holding down the up arrow key
boolean active False if the game is paused or a level just started. The ship is
grayed out, cannot move, and is not hurt by asteroids when it is
false. This allows the user to choose when to “enter” a level.
int[] xPts, yPts, flameXPts, Store the current points used to draw the ship (the rotated and
flameYPts translated versions of the constants).
int shotDelay, Store the minimum number of frames between shots and the
shotDelayLeft number of frames left until the next shot can be fired, respectively.
48 Appendix B: The Completed Ship Class
Methods Description
Ship() The constructor. Initializes all needed variables when a ship is
created.
void draw() Draws the ship using the Graphics object passed in.
void move() Moves the ship based on its x and y velocity. Decrements
shotDelayLeft once per frame.
void setAccelerating() Sets accelerating, turningLeft, or turningRight to true or false.
void setTurningLeft() Used for event handling (the value is set to true when the
void setTurningRight() corresponding key is pressed and false when it is released).
double getX() Getter methods used in by the Asteroid class for collision
double getY() detection.
double getRadius()
void setActive() Sets active to true/false and returns the value of active. Used when
boolean isActive() the game is paused and at the beginnings of levels.
boolean canShoot() Returns true if the ship is ready to shoot (shotDelayLeft is zero).
Shot shoot() Creates a new shot based on the ship’s position and velocity, then
returns it to be added to the shots array.
Table B.1: Variables and methods of the Ship class.
Code B.2 – Ship.java: The final code for the Ship class.
import java.awt.*;
public class Ship {

final double[] origXPts={14,-10,-6,-10},origYPts={0,-8,0,8},
origFlameXPts={-6,-23,-6},origFlameYPts={-3,0,3};
final int radius=6;
double x, y, angle, xVelocity, yVelocity, acceleration,

velocityDecay, rotationalSpeed;
boolean turningLeft, turningRight, accelerating, active;
int[] xPts, yPts, flameXPts, flameYPts;
int shotDelay, shotDelayLeft;
public Ship(double x, double y, double angle, double acceleration,

double velocityDecay, double rotationalSpeed,
int shotDelay){
//this.x refers to the Ship's x, x refers to the x parameter
this.x=x;
this.y=y;
this.angle=angle;
this.acceleration=acceleration;
this.velocityDecay=velocityDecay;
this.rotationalSpeed=rotationalSpeed;
xVelocity=0; // not moving
yVelocity=0;
turningLeft=false; // not turning
turningRight=false;
accelerating=false; // not accelerating
active=false; // start off paused
xPts=new int[4]; // allocate space for the arrays

yPts=new int[4];
flameXPts=new int[3];
flameYPts=new int[3];
this.shotDelay=shotDelay; // # of frames between shots
shotDelayLeft=0; // ready to shoot
}

//rotate the points, translate them to the ship's location (by
//adding x and y), then round them by adding .5 and casting them
//as integers (which truncates any decimal place)
if(accelerating && active){ // draw flame if accelerating
flameXPts[i]=(int)(origFlameXPts[i]*Math.cos(angle)-
origFlameYPts[i]*Math.sin(angle)+
x+.5);
flameYPts[i]=(int)(origFlameXPts[i]*Math.sin(angle)+
origFlameYPts[i]*Math.cos(angle)+
y+.5);
}
g.setColor(Color.red); //set color of flame
g.fillPolygon(flameXPts,flameYPts,3); // 3 is # of points
}
//calculate the polgyon for the ship, then draw it
xPts[i]=(int)(origXPts[i]*Math.cos(angle)- //rotate
origYPts[i]*Math.sin(angle)+
x+.5); //translate and round
yPts[i]=(int)(origXPts[i]*Math.sin(angle)+ //rotate
origYPts[i]*Math.cos(angle)+
y+.5); //translate and round
}
if(active) // active means game is running (not paused)
g.setColor(Color.white);
else // draw the ship dark gray if the game is paused
g.setColor(Color.darkGray);
g.fillPolygon(xPts,yPts,4); // 4 is number of points
}

if(shotDelayLeft>0) //move() is called every frame that the game
shotDelayLeft--; //is run; this ticks down the shot delay
if(turningLeft) //this is backwards from typical polar coodinates
angle-=rotationalSpeed; //because positive y is downward.
if(turningRight) //Because of that, adding to the angle is
angle+=rotationalSpeed; //rotating clockwise (to the right)
if(angle>(2*Math.PI)) //Keep angle within bounds of 0 to 2*PI
angle-=(2*Math.PI);
else if(angle<0)
angle+=(2*Math.PI);
if(accelerating){ //adds accel to velocity in direction pointed
//calculates components of accel and adds them to velocity
xVelocity+=acceleration*Math.cos(angle);
yVelocity+=acceleration*Math.sin(angle);
}
x+=xVelocity; //move the ship by adding velocity to position
50 Appendix B: The Completed Ship Class
y+=yVelocity;
xVelocity*=velocityDecay; //slows ship down by percentages
yVelocity*=velocityDecay; //(velDecay should be between 0 and 1)
if(x<0) //wrap the ship around to the opposite side of the screen
x+=scrnWidth; //when it goes out of the screen's bounds
x-=scrnWidth;
if(y<0)
y+=scrnHeight;
y-=scrnHeight;
}
public void setAccelerating(boolean accelerating){

this.accelerating=accelerating;
}
public void setTurningLeft(boolean turningLeft){

this.turningLeft=turningLeft;
}
public void setTurningRight(boolean turningRight){

this.turningRight=turningRight;
}

return x;
}

return y;
}
public double getRadius(){

return radius;
}
public void setActive(boolean active){

this.active=active;
}
public boolean isActive(){

return active;
}
public boolean canShoot(){

if(shotDelayLeft>0) //checks to see if the ship is ready to
return false; //shoot again yet or needs to wait longer
else
return true;
}
public Shot shoot(){

shotDelayLeft=shotDelay; //set delay till next shot can be fired
//a life of 40 makes the shot travel about the width of the
//screen before disappearing
return new Shot(x,y,angle,xVelocity,yVelocity,40);
}
}
52 Appendix C: The Completed Shot Class
Appendix C: The Completed Shot Class

In this appendix, Table C.1 describes each variable and method in the Shot class and
Code C.2 provides a complete listing of the finished code for the Shot class. The variables and
methods in the table are in the same order as they appear in the code and are grouped together
when they are closely related.
final double shotSpeed Constant storing the speed at which the shots are fired relative to
the motion of the ship.
double x, y, xVelocity, Store the coordinates and x/y components of the velocity of the
yVelocity shot.
int lifeLeft Stores the number of frames this shot has left before disappearing
if it doesn’t hit an asteroid first.
Methods Description
Shot() Constructor. Initializes all necessary variables based on
parameters passed in.
void move() Moves the shot according to its x/y velocity. Decrements lifeLeft.
void draw() Draws the shot using the Graphics object passed in.
double getX() Return the x and y coordinates of the shot, respectively. Used by
double getY() the Asteroid class in collision detection.
int getLifeLeft() Returns the number of frames this shot has left before
disappearing. Used in AsteroidsGame to determine when to delete
the shot.
Table C.1: Variables and methods of the Shot class.
Code C.2 – Shot.java: The finished code for the Shot class.
import java.awt.*;
public class Shot {

final double shotSpeed=12;
double x,y,xVelocity,yVelocity;
int lifeLeft;
public Shot(double x, double y, double angle, double shipXVel,

double shipYVel, int lifeLeft){
this.x=x;
this.y=y;
// add the velocity of the ship to the velocity the shot velocity
// (so the shot's velocity is relative to the ship's)
xVelocity=shotSpeed*Math.cos(angle)+shipXVel;
yVelocity=shotSpeed*Math.sin(angle)+shipYVel;
// the number of frames the shot will last for before
Appendix C: The Completed Shot Class 53
// disappearing if it doesn't hit anything

this.lifeLeft=lifeLeft;
}

lifeLeft--; // used to make shot disappear if it goes too long
// without hitting anything
x+=xVelocity; // move the shot
y+=yVelocity;
if(x<0) // wrap the shot around to the opposite side of the
x+=scrnWidth; // screen if needed
x-=scrnWidth;
if(y<0)
y+=scrnHeight;
y-=scrnHeight;
}

g.setColor(Color.yellow); //set shot color
//draw circle of radius 3 centered at the closest point
//with integer coordinates (.5 added to x-1 and y-1 for rounding)
g.fillOval((int)(x-.5), (int)(y-.5), 3, 3);
}

return x;
}

return y;
}
public int getLifeLeft(){

return lifeLeft;
}
}
54 Appendix D: The Completed Asteroid Class
Appendix D: The Completed Asteroid Class

In this appendix, Table D.1 describes each variable and method in the Asteroid class and
Code D.2 provides a complete listing of the finished code for the Asteroid class. The variables
and methods in the table are in the same order as they appear in the code and are grouped
together when they are closely related.
double x, y, xVelocity, Store the coordinates, x/y components of velocity, and radius of
yVelocity, radius the asteroid.
int hitsLeft Stores the number of times this asteroid can be broken up before
the pieces disappear.
int numSplit Stores the number of smaller asteroids this asteroid will break into
when it is shot.
Methods Description
Asteroid() Constructor. Initializes variables according to parameters passed
in.
void move() Moves the asteroid according to x/y velocity.
void draw() Draws the asteroid using the Graphics object passed in.
Asteroid Creates and returns a smaller asteroid. Used when this asteroid
createSplitAsteroid() gets shot and is being broken into smaller asteroids.
boolean shipCollision() Returns true if this asteroid is colliding with the ship passed in.
boolean shotCollision() Returns true if this asteroid is colliding with the shot passed in.
int getHitsLeft() Returns hitsLeft. Used by AsteroidsGame to determine if this
asteroid should be deleted or broken up into smaller ones.
int getNumSplit() Returns numSplit, the number of smaller asteroids this one will
break up into when shot.
Table D.1: Variables and methods of the Asteroid class.
Code D.2 – Asteroid.java: The finished code for the Asteroids class.
import java.awt.*;
public class Asteroid {

double x, y, xVelocity, yVelocity, radius;
int hitsLeft, numSplit;
public Asteroid(double x,double y,double radius,double minVelocity,

double maxVelocity,int hitsLeft,int numSplit){
this.x=x;
this.y=y;
this.radius=radius;
this.hitsLeft=hitsLeft; //number of shots left to destroy it
Appendix D: The Completed Asteroid Class 55
this.numSplit=numSplit; //number of smaller asteroids it

//breaks up into when shot
//calculates a random direction and a random
//velocity between minVelocity and maxVelocity
double vel=minVelocity + Math.random()*(maxVelocity-minVelocity),
dir=2*Math.PI*Math.random(); // random direction
xVelocity=vel*Math.cos(dir);
yVelocity=vel*Math.sin(dir);
}

x+=xVelocity; //move the asteroid
y+=yVelocity;
//wrap around code allowing the asteroid to go off the screen
//to a distance equal to its radius before entering on the
//other side. Otherwise, it would go halfway off the sceen,
//then disappear and reappear halfway on the other side
//of the screen.
if(x<0-radius)
x+=scrnWidth+2*radius;
else if(x>scrnWidth+radius)
x-=scrnWidth+2*radius;
if(y<0-radius)
y+=scrnHeight+2*radius;
else if(y>scrnHeight+radius)
y-=scrnHeight+2*radius;
}

g.setColor(Color.gray); // set color for the asteroid
// draw the asteroid centered at (x,y)
g.fillOval((int)(x-radius+.5),(int)(y-radius+.5),
(int)(2*radius),(int)(2*radius));
}
public Asteroid createSplitAsteroid(double minVelocity,

double maxVelocity){
//when this asteroid gets hit by a shot, this method is called
//numSplit times by AsteroidsGame to create numSplit smaller
//asteroids. Dividing the radius by sqrt(numSplit) makes the
//sum of the areas taken up by the smaller asteroids equal to
//the area of this asteroid. Each smaller asteroid has one
//less hit left before being completely destroyed.
return new Asteroid(x,y,radius/Math.sqrt(numSplit),
minVelocity,maxVelocity,hitsLeft-1,numSplit);
}
public boolean shipCollision(Ship ship){

// Use the distance formula to check if the ship is touching this
// asteroid: Distance^2 = (x1-x2)^2 + (y1-y2)^2 ("^" denotes
// exponents). If the sum of the radii is greater than the
// distance between the center of the ship and asteroid, they are
// touching.
// if (shipRadius + asteroidRadius)^2 > (x1-x2)^2 + (y1-y2)^2,
// then they have collided.
// It does not check for collisions if the ship is not active
// (player is waiting to start a new life or the game is paused).
56 Appendix D: The Completed Asteroid Class
if(Math.pow(radius+ship.getRadius(),2) >
Math.pow(ship.getX()-x,2) + Math.pow(ship.getY()-y,2)
&& ship.isActive())
return true;
return false;
}
public boolean shotCollision(Shot shot){

// Same idea as shipCollision, but using shotRadius = 0
if(Math.pow(radius,2) > Math.pow(shot.getX()-x,2)+
Math.pow(shot.getY()-y,2))
return true;
return false;
}
public int getHitsLeft(){

//used by AsteroidsGame to determine whether the asteroid should
//be split up into smaller asteroids or destroyed completely.
return hitsLeft;
}
public int getNumSplit(){

return numSplit;
}
}
Appendix E: A Game Framework 57
Appendix E: A Game Framework

Code E.1 in this appendix contains the completed code for the framework created in
Chapter 3. The framework contains basic functionality that is needed for almost any game that is
programmed as an applet. Places where code specific to the game being created would need to
be added are indicated by comments in all caps.
Code E.1 – GameFramework.java: The completed framework from Chapter 3.
//A generic framework for a game implemented as a Java Applet
import java.applet.*; //needed to create an applet

import java.awt.*; //needed for graphics
import java.awt.event.*; //needed for event handling
public class GameFramework extends Applet implements Runnable, KeyListener{
Thread thread; // used to run the game
Dimension dim; // these are used for double buffering

Image img; // the back buffer
Graphics g; // used to draw on the back buffer
// used to regulate the speed of the game

/**
* This method is called when the applet is first created.
*/
public void init(){
resize(500,500); //can be set to any dimension desired
// INITIALIZE ANY OF YOUR OWN VARIABLES HERE
endTime=0;
startTime=0;
framePeriod=25; //may be adjusted to change the speed that
//the game runs.
addKeyListener(this); //tell the class to listen for KeyEvents
dim=getSize();
img=createImage(dim.width, dim.height);//create back buffer
g=img.getGraphics(); //create Graphics obj to draw on back buffer
thread=new Thread(this); //create the thread that runs game
thread.start(); //start the thread
}
/**
* This method paints the graphics of the applet.
* @param gfx - the applet's graphics object
*/
g.setColor(Color.black); //set color to clear the screen with
g.fillRect(0,0,500,500); //clear the screen
58 Appendix E: A Game Framework
// CODE TO DRAW GRAPHICS HERE

gfx.drawImage(img,0,0,this); //copys back buffer onto the screen
}
/**
* This is the method called by repaint() and makes a call to
* paint() without clearing the screen.
* The original method, Applet.update(), clears the screen
* with a white rectangle and then calls paint.
* Clearing the screen causes flickering in games, so we have
* overriden update() to call paint without clearing.
* We can do this because we will make paint() redraw the entire
* screen, so clearing it first would be pointless.
* @param gfx - the applet's graphics object
*/
paint(gfx);
}
/**
* This method contains the code to run the game.
* It is executed by a thread.
*/
public void run(){
for(;;){
// CODE TO EXECUTE A FRAME OF THE GAME HERE
repaint();
try{ //regulate the speed of the game
}
}
}
/**
* Responds to any keys being pressed on the keyboard
* @param e - contains information on the event (what key was
* pressed, etc)
*/
if(e.getKeyCode()==KeyEvent.VK_UP){
// CODE TO RESPOND TO UP KEY BEING PRESSED
}else if(e.getKeyCode()==KeyEvent.VK_DOWN){
// CODE TO RESPOND TO DOWN KEY BEING PRESSED
}else if( ...
... // DITTO FOR ALL CONTROLS IN THE GAME
}
/**
* Responds to any keys being released on the keyboard
* @param e - contains information on the event (what key was
* released, etc)
*/
Appendix E: A Game Framework 59
if(e.getKeyCode()==KeyEvent.VK_UP){
// CODE TO RESPOND TO UP KEY BEING RELEASED
}else if(e.getKeyCode()==KeyEvent.VK_DOWN){
// CODE TO RESPOND TO DOWN KEY BEING RELEASED
}else if( ...
... // DITTO FOR ALL CONTROLS IN THE GAME
}
/**
* This method doesn't usually need to do anything for simple games.
* It might be used if the game involved the user typing in text.
*/
public void keyTyped(KeyEvent e){
}
}
60 Glossary
Glossary
Applet: A small Java program that is designed to be embedded in a web page.
Application Programming Interface (API): The set of functions that give a programmer
access to the operating system and other services (Application Program Interface).
Array: A series (or list) of variables accessed by the name of the array and an index value (i.e.
arrayName[index]).
Call: To execute a function. For instance, making a call to the draw() function means telling the
computer to execute the code in the draw() function.
Class: The basic structure in the Java programming language. A class may contain variables
and methods and typically represents an object of some kind.
Collision Detection: The code (usually in a game) that determines when one object collides
with another.
Comment: Text inside source code that is ignored when the file is compiled. Comments are
supplemental explanations used to make code easier to read and understand. They do not
in any way affect how the program runs.
Compile: To translate Java code into bytecode that can be read and run by the Java Virtual
Machine. Compiling is done using the Java compiler, javac.exe. It generates .class file
with the same name as the .java file containing the code.
Constant: A value that never changes.
Constructor: A Method that initializes an object immediately when a new instance of that
object is first created.
Control Flow Statement: Statements that alter the path followed by the computer as it runs a
program. These include if/else, while, for, switch, etc.
Event: Something that happens outside of a program that the program might want to respond
to. Most commonly, events are forms of user input, such as a keystroke or mouse click.
Event Handling: The code that causes a program to respond appropriately to events.
Extends: The Java keyword used to indicate that one class inherits from another. This means
that all the variables and methods in the class being inherited from will automatically be
included in the new class.
Distance Formula: The mathematical formula used for determining the distance between two
points in a Cartesian coordinate plane. The formula is as follows:
d = sqrt( (x1-x2)2 + (y1-y2)2 ) where d is the distance, (x1,y1) and (x2,y2) are the two
points, and sqrt indicates a square root.
Double Buffering: Drawing on a back buffer, then copying it to the actual screen instead of just
drawing directly to the screen. This makes graphics smoother by reducing flickering.
Frame: One of many consecutive still images used in animation. Movies are animated by
displaying thousands of prerecorded frames in rapid succession. Games are animated in
the same way, but without prerecorded frames. Instead, the computer draws each frame
on the fly according to what is happening in the game.
Function: See Method (they are called functions in other languages, but in Java they are
methods).
Hypertext Markup Language (HTML): The most commonly used scripting language for
creating webpages.
Implements: A Java keyword used to specify that a class will have the functionality defined by
Glossary 61
the interface being implemented. For instance, if a class implements the KeyListener
interface, then that class must be able to act as a KeyListener. In other words, the class
must have all the methods that a KeyListener would need to have.
Initialize: To set a newly created variable to its first value.
Instance: An occurrence of an object (or class). A class defines a type and an instance is an
actual object of that type.
Integrated Development Environment (IDE): A text editor that is linked into a programming
language. Typically they feature syntax highlighting, shortcuts (or buttons) for
compiling, and debugging tools. Some Java IDEs are Eclipse, NetBeans, and JBuilder.
Interface: A set of related methods that define a certain functionality. In the actual interface
definition, the method names alone are specified without any accompanying body of
code. Any class that implements the interface is required to include definitions of all of
these methods (The Java Tutorials).
Iteration: One repetition of a repeating process. One iteration of a loop in programming means
running the code inside the loop once.
Java: A programming language developed by Sun Microsystems. It is designed specifically to
be able to “create networking applications that will run on any computer,” regardless of
its operating system (Java).
Java Application Programming Interface (Java API): The standard packages and classes
included in the Java programming language. Every class, interface, method, variable, etc.
in the Java API is documented at http://java.sun.com/javase/6/docs/api/.
Java Software Development Kit (JDK): The programs/tools necessary to both compile and
run Java code. Includes the JRE plus tools to develop your own Java programs.
Java Runtime Environment (JRE): The programs/tools necessary to run Java programs.
Java Virtual Machine (JVM): The program (called an “interpreter”) that runs Java bytecode.
Code is translated into by tecode by the Java compiler and the bytecode is then executed
by the JVM.
Long: A data type exactly the same as an integer, but with twice the capacity.
Method: A reusable section of Java code. Also known as a function in other programming
languages.
Override: To create a new method that replaces one that was inherited from another class.
Package: A folder containing a group of related Java classes. Whole packages can be imported
to gain access to all the classes within them.
Primitive Type: A variable that is not a class. Primitive types include int, char, double, float,
boolean, long, etc.
Software Development Kit (SDK): The programs/tools necessary to write, compile, and run
your own code in a programming language.
(Java) Standard Library: All the packages and classes in the Java API.
String: A class in the Java standard library that is used to store and manipulate text.
Syntax Highlighting: Changing the color and/or formatting of text to aid the user in seeing and
understanding the syntax of a programming language. The different colors and heaviness
of font used in the code sections of this manual are an example of syntax highlighting.
Text Editor: Any program that allows a user to create and edit plain text files (.txt). Notepad
is the standard Windows text editor. Some text editors have been specifically designed to
be used in programming. These usually include syntax highlighting and other features
62 Glossary
useful in programming. Emacs and gVim are common examples of this type of text
editor.
Thread: A process that runs continuously and concurrently with all the other processes running
on a computer. In Java, the Thread and the Runnable interface are used to create threads.
63
Bibliography
Application Program Interface. Dictionary.com. The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing.

Denis Howe. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Application Program Interface (accessed:
March 27, 2007).
Brackeen, David. 2003. Developing Games in Java™. New Riders.

http://proquest.safaribooksonline.com.erl.lib.byu.edu/1592730051 (accessed: April 5, 2007).
Davison, Andrew. 2005. Killer Game Programming in Java. O’Reilly.

http://proquest.safaribooksonline.com.erl.lib.byu.edu/0596007302 (accessed: March 27, 2007).
Horstmann, Cay S., and Gary Cornell. 2004. Core Java™ 2 Volume I – Fundamentals, Seventh
Edition. Prentice Hall. http://proquest.safaribooksonline.com.erl.lib.byu.edu/0131482025
(accessed: April 5, 2007).
Java. Reference.com. Crystal Reference Encyclopedia. Crystal Reference Systems Limited.

http://www.reference.com/browse/crystal/37341 (accessed: February 08, 2007).
The Java API. 2006. Java™ Platform, Standard Edition 6 API Specification.
http://java.sun.com/javase/6/docs/api/ (accessed: April 5, 2007).
The Java Tutorials. 2006. What is an Interface?

http://java.sun.com/docs/books/tutorial/java/concepts/interface.html (accessed: April 5, 2007).
Lannon, John M. 2006. Technical Communication. Longman.
Wikipedia contributors, "Asteroids (arcade game)," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia,

http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Asteroids_%28arcade_game%29&oldid=105145229
(accessed February 9, 2007).

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A Guide to Programming Asteroids

List of Figures, Tables, and Code Sections

Reference Name Topic Page Number

Who this manual is for

1. How to create and use a class with methods*.

Some basic trigonometry will also be involved. An understanding of the following

1. Rotating a point around the origin (used to turn the ship).

How to use this manual

In-text references to variable, method, and class names

Where to go for help

Site for downloading and installing Java

Sites to download free editors and IDEs

Site for learning Java basics

About the author

Brandon Carroll is a student at Brigham Young University studying Computer Science

Chapter 2: Planning the Game

How long will it take to make the game?

What classes are needed?

How will the classes interact?

What is the overall process?

Flow Chart 2.2: Creating the Asteroids game

Chapter 3: Building a Framework

Setting up the skeleton of the applet

public class AsteroidsGame extends Applet {

Overriding methods inherited from Applet

public void init(){

public void paint(Graphics gfx){

public void update(Graphics gfx){

Inserting the applet into an HTML webpage

*Note: For more information on HTML tags, visit www.html-reference.com.

public class AsteroidsGame extends Applet implements Runnable{

int x,y; // these are all new variables

public void init(){

public void paint(Graphics gfx){

... // update() the same as before

public void run(){

Understanding double buffering

Dimension dim; // stores the size of the back buffer

public void init(){

public void paint(Graphics gfx){

Using the Graphics class

public class AsteroidsGame extends Applet implements Runnable, KeyListener{

public void init(){

public void run(){

public void keyPressed(KeyEvent e){ //starts moving the circle when an

public void keyTyped(KeyEvent e){ //empty method, but still needed to

Chapter 4: Implementing the Ship Class

Creating the variables and the constructor

public class Ship {

double x, y, angle, xVelocity, yVelocity, acceleration,

public Ship(double x, double y, double angle, double acceleration,

Drawing the ship

newX = X*cos(A) – Y*sin(A)

public void draw(Graphics g){

Moving the ship

public void move(int scrnWidth, int scrnHeight){

Implementing other needed methods

Code 4.4 – Ship.java: Getter and setter methods

public void setAccelerating(boolean accelerating){

newX = Xcos(A) – Ysin(A)