The O in I/O!

Goals:

Save data to the Pencil Code server using the save function
Use save and load together to maintain a permanent record of program data, such as high scores or answers from a survey
Ulilize the JSON data-interchange format to facilitate reading and writing data formatted as arrays and other javascript objects

Coding Snippets:

Data passed to save must be in string form. Convert objects to strings using the JSON.stringify() method.
The JSON.parse() method converts JSON data back to its original form.

Math and Computer Concepts:

JSON is a widely used file format that is easy for humans to read and write and easy for machines to parse and generate. JSON simplifies the process of reading and writing data used in computer programs.
Similar to load, save executes asynchronously. Use the the await and defer functions as illustrated below to force your program to wait for the asynchronous save process to complete before moving on to subsequent code in your script:

Activities:

Save each of the following in a folder called IO.

TimeTrials: create a racing game that keeps track of the top 10 high scores. The leaderboard should be updated whenever a player gets a new high score; the high scores should always be displayed at the end of each game. But remember: you have to be logged into your account for save to update your file.

Questionnaire: Create a questionnaire to ask respondents to provide feedback on a topic of your choice. For example, you might poll their favorite color or their height. Note: to avoid spelling mistakes, it can simplify things to provide users a list to choose from, and then have them entere the number corresponding to their choice. You should record answers to a file that you update with each new response. In order to have an accurate count, you will need to first read the file, update your records, then save the new values that have been incremented.

To facilitate gathering user input, consider using the Pencil Code read or readnum functions (the latter automatically converts number input from type String to type Number). Note that these user-input functions function asyncronously. As with other asynchronous functions, combine them with await/defer to simplify their use. Look in the Text tab in the Pencil Code editor's coding blocks palette for the correct syntax.