1. Sage Franch | Technical Evangelist Susan Ibach | Technical Evangelist

2. Outline Local, global and cloud variables Using cloud data to store a high score

3. Local, Global and Cloud Variables

4. Recall what we already know about variables… Variables store information that can be used again and again throughout the rest of your code A variable has a name, a type and a value The type of a variable is determined when it is declared Variables must be declared before they are used Variables also have one more invisible property that determines when they can be used.

5. Scope = the part of the code in which a variable can be used

6. In many cases, a local variable’s scope is directly related to the indentation of the line on which it is declared x, y, and z can all be used without error x and y can be used without error… But z cannot be found because it is out of scope!

7. There are three types of variables LocalGloba l Cloud Declared and used within a small area of the code Declared in the code and “promoted to data” so they can be used throughout the code Created outside the code so it can be used by multiple instances of the code

8. Local Variables

9. Global Variables

10. When should I use global variables? Promote a variable to data when you need to give it a bigger scope!

11. Unique in each instance of the app – separate users get separate copies of the variable Local and Global Variables

12. Shared across multiple instances of the app – separate users share and access the same cloud variable. Cloud Variables

13. What is cloud? Your data is stored on servers on the internet instead of on your own computer Cloud sessions synchronize the shared data between participants of the same cloud session

14. When would you use cloud data? When you want data to be available to multiple players at once –A high score When you want to collect information from multiple users to be stored in one place –A shared to-do list –An audience poll –Voting When you want users to communicate with each other –Multiplayer games

15. Limitations of using cloud data in TouchDevelop Cloud data is currently NOT supported for exported apps – so you will only be able to use your cloud data for apps hosted in TouchDevelop, not the ones published to stores or to web. Local use only

16. Using Cloud Data to Store a High Score

17. When the game ends, we want to: Compare the user’s score to the high score Update the high score if the user beat it Display the high score and the user’s score Tell the user if they got a new high score

18. Using a cloud variable to track a high score Create a new variable and select the “replicated” radio button

19. Add a new action Accepts a parameter, player score, which is the player’s final score on game end Returns a string, msg, to display to the player If the player has a new score, update the high score variable

20. Using “post to wall” to display text and variables “Post to wall” displays the newest line at the top, so we put the statements in reverse order.

21. DEMO Adding a leaderboard to track high scores

22. Want to skip all that work?

23. The bazaar does it for you! The function that updates the score in the cloud The final score for the game you just played The function that displays the leaderboard

24. Your challenge Add a high score or leaderboard to track high scores for your game

25. The cloud’s the limit! Congratulations!

26. ©2013 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Microsoft, Windows, Office, Azure, System Center, Dynamics and other product names are or may be registered trademarks and/or trademarks in the U.S. and/or other countries. The information herein is for informational purposes only and represents the current view of Microsoft Corporation as of the date of this presentation. Because Microsoft must respond to changing market conditions, it should not be interpreted to be a commitment on the part of Microsoft, and Microsoft cannot guarantee the accuracy of any information provided after the date of this presentation. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.