teachComputing
  • Home
  • AI
    • AI Literacy >
      • AI Alliteration
      • Describing Monsters
      • Dystopian writing
      • Bringing literacy to life with AI
      • AI Literacy Prompts
    • AI Computing >
      • AI Computing Lessons >
        • Make me happy
        • Chatting Robot
        • Supervised Learning
        • Fooled
        • Socratic Debate
        • Moral Machine
      • AI Coding Strategies
      • AI Computing Prompts
    • AI Prompts
  • Teaching & Learning
    • Wellbeing
    • Blog
    • Humour >
      • Teacher Humour
      • Teacher Humor
    • PLN Challenge >
      • Covering your backside
      • Online Privacy
      • Twitter Challenge >
        • Twitter All Star
        • Challenge 1
        • Challenge 2
        • Challenge 3
        • Tips for staying safe on Twitter
        • Tips for hosting Edu Twitter Chats
        • Tips for taking part in Twitter chats
        • It's all about the hashtag! Essential chats for educators
        • How to storify a chat
        • How to schedule Tweets
        • Twitter Lists
        • NT2tEU
      • Facebook Challenge >
        • Challenge 4
        • Challenge 5
        • Challenge 6
        • Tips for staying safe on Facebook
      • Google Challenge >
        • Challenge 7
        • Challenge 8
        • Challenge 9
      • Pinterest Challenge >
        • Challenge 10
        • Challenge 11
        • Challenge 12
        • Tips for using Pinterest
      • Blog Challenge >
        • Challenge 13
        • Challenge 14
        • Challenge 15
        • How to create a classroom blog
      • Staffrm Challenge >
        • Challenge 16
        • Challenge 17
        • Challenge 18
      • Skype Challenge >
        • Challenge 19
        • Challenge 20
        • Challenge 21
      • Edmodo Challenge >
        • Challenge 22
        • Challenge 23
        • Challenge 24
      • TeachMeet Challenge >
        • Challenge 25
        • Challenge 26
        • Challenge 27
      • In-school challenge >
        • Challenge 28
        • Challenge 29
        • Challenge 30
      • 30 ways to grow your PLN
    • Tools for Teachers >
      • Web 2.0 >
        • Top 10 Web 2.0 Tools
        • Classroom Response Tools
      • Quiz Tools
      • Classroom Management Tools
      • Software >
        • Media Conversion Tools
        • Application Software
      • Multimedia >
        • Free Music
    • BYOD
    • Digital Leaders >
      • Digital Leaders Blog >
        • DL Archive
      • DL Tips
      • Quotes
      • Links
    • Flipped Learning >
      • Flipped Classroom vs. Blended Classroom
    • Gamification >
      • Gamification vs. Game Based Learning vs. Game Design
    • School Closures
    • Game Based Learning >
      • Minecraft >
        • Minecraft in Education
        • Minecraft Lesson Ideas
        • Minecraft Literacy
        • Real Life Minecraft
        • Minecraft Top Tips
        • Minecraft Coding Tutorials >
          • Minecraft Code Builder Setup
          • Minecraft Code: Walking on Air
          • Minecraft Code: Hello World
          • Minecraft Code: Functions
          • Minecraft Code: Rainbow
          • Minecraft Code: Skyscraper
          • Minecraft Pixel Art
    • The magic of >
      • The magic of Computing
      • The magic of Maths
      • The magic of Science
      • The magic of Literacy
    • Road2e2
    • T&L Blog
  • Computing
    • Computing Blog >
      • GCSE Computer Science
      • General
    • Teaching Computer Science >
      • CPD >
        • Blocks to Code
        • Tutorials >
          • How to embed Flash into PowerPoint
          • How to embed YouTube videos in to PowerPoint
          • How to create a wiki
          • How to create a classroom blog
      • Schemes of Work
      • Programming Resources
      • Theory
      • Posters
      • Festive Computing Activities
      • FLOPPYS 2020
      • FLOPPYS 2021
      • FLOPPYS 2022
      • Game Design
      • App Creation
    • Theory Lessons >
      • Theory Tests
      • Computer Hardware >
        • Input / Output
        • CPU
        • LMC
        • Storage Devices
        • Memory (RAM / ROM)
        • Hardware
      • Binary Lessons >
        • Units of Data
        • Binary Representation
        • Binary Representation of Images
        • Binary Representation of Images (Festive)
        • Binary Representation of Characters
        • Binary Representation of Sound
        • Binary Representation of Instructions
        • Binary Addition
        • Hexadecimal
      • Software >
        • Operating System
        • Types of Software
        • Utility Software
      • Programming >
        • Flowcharts
      • Computational Thinking >
        • Data Science
    • Digital Literacy >
      • Social Media (Good or Bad thing?)
      • Cyberbullying
      • Staying Safe Online
    • ICT Strand >
      • Fake News Project >
        • Fake News 1
        • Fake News 2
        • Fake News 3
        • Fake News 4
        • Fake News 5
      • Spreadsheet Modelling
      • Superhero Movie Trailer
      • PowerPoint Task
      • Digital Imaging
      • Paint 3D Tutorial
    • Programming Lessons >
      • Scratch >
        • Festive Scratch >
          • Music Festive with Scratch
          • Turtle Snowflakes
          • What's your elf name
          • Secret Santa
        • Making music with Scratch
        • Sorting Hat Lesson
        • Turtle Time
        • Superhero name generator
        • Compliment Generator
        • Magic 8 ball
      • Python >
        • Chatbot
        • Coding Golf
        • Turtle Time >
          • Turtle Instructions
        • Magic 8 ball
        • Python Mad Libs
        • Rock Paper Scissors
        • Shakespearean Insult Generator >
          • Shakespearean Insult Generator Part 2
        • Compliment generator
        • Sorting Hat
        • Superhero name generator
        • Cards Against
        • Guess the word
        • Guess the number
        • Festive Python >
          • What's your elf name
          • Secret Santa
          • Turtle Snowflakes
      • Little Man Computer
      • Hour of Code >
        • Hour of Code Music
        • Python Tutorials
        • HoC 8-Bit Challenge
        • Music MicroPython (Festive)
      • Raspberry Pi >
        • Networking the Pi
        • Minecraft Pi
        • Harry Potter Sorting Hat >
          • Harry Potter Sorting Hat (GPIO)
        • Raspberry Pi LTSP (Networked Classroom)
        • Astro Pi
    • Homeschooling
    • Remote Learning >
      • Fun Python Tutorials
      • Python Tutorials >
        • Chatbot Tutorial
        • Dice Roll
        • Turtle Tutorial
        • Magic 8 ball
        • Sorting Hat
        • Rock Paper Scissors Tutorial
        • Cards Against
        • Python Mad Libs
        • Shakespearean Insult Generator >
          • Shakespearean Insult Generator Part 2
        • Guess the word
        • Guess the number
        • Superhero name generator
        • Compliment generator
        • Festive Python Tutorials >
          • What's your elf name
          • Secret Santa
          • Turtle Snowflakes
      • Scratch Tutorials >
        • Sorting Hat
        • What's your superhero name
        • Turtle Time Tutorial
        • Compliment Generator
        • Magic 8 Ball
        • Festive Scratch Tutorials >
          • Festive Music with Scratch
          • Secret Santa Scratch Tutorial
          • Turtle Snowflakes Tutorial
          • What's your elf name
    • Revision >
      • Data Representation >
        • Binary Representation of Images
        • Binary Representation of Sound
  • 21 Things
    • 21 Things To Try >
      • ConnectEd
      • Social Media >
        • Twitter
        • Pinterest
        • Facebook Groups
        • Facebook Pages
        • Google+ Communities
        • Staffrm
        • Edmodo
        • Mystery Skype
        • Blogging
        • Classroom Blogging
      • Gamification
      • Flipped Classroom
      • Breakout Edu
      • Edu Podcasts
      • Jar of Awesome
      • TeachMeet
      • Team Teaching
      • Mixed Reality
      • Digital Leaders
      • Genius Hour
      • Sketchnoting
    • Computing >
      • CS 20
      • Code Golf
      • PRIMM
      • Under The Hood
      • Unplugged
      • Podcasts
      • Facebook Groups CS
      • Flipped Classroom CS
      • Teach with Magic
      • Socratic Debate
      • Coding Music
    • 21 Things Keep Fit >
      • 20 Health Hacks
      • Home Health Hacks
    • 21 Things PLN >
      • Edmodo
      • Twitter
      • Reply to a blog
      • Skype
      • Cofee Edu
      • Pinterest
      • Reach out
      • Conferences
      • Instagram
      • Ning
      • MEC
      • Voxer
      • LinkedIn
  • Microbit
    • Physical Computing >
      • micro:bit LEDs
      • micro:bit PIR
      • micro:bit Servo
      • micro:bit Temp
      • micro:bit LDR
      • micro:bit Moisture
      • micro:bit RGB LEDs
      • micro:bit HC-SR04 3v3
      • micro:bit HC-SR04 5v
      • micro:bit Push button
      • micro:bit Potentiometer
      • micro:bit Piezo
    • Music >
      • Music Festive
    • Festive Projects
    • Projects >
      • Music
      • Music MicroPython
      • Servo Animals
    • Lessons >
      • Magic 8 Ball
      • Harry Potter Sorting Hat
    • Quick Start Guide
    • Microbit Simulator
  • #100 Ideas
    • Testimonials
    • Competition >
      • Competition 2
    • Worksheets
    • Bonus Ideas >
      • What's your elf name
      • Make me happy
      • Guess the word
      • Cards Against Humanities
      • Compliment generator
      • Data Science
    • Curriculum
    • ISTE
    • CSTA
  • About
    • Privacy
  • Home
  • AI
    • AI Literacy >
      • AI Alliteration
      • Describing Monsters
      • Dystopian writing
      • Bringing literacy to life with AI
      • AI Literacy Prompts
    • AI Computing >
      • AI Computing Lessons >
        • Make me happy
        • Chatting Robot
        • Supervised Learning
        • Fooled
        • Socratic Debate
        • Moral Machine
      • AI Coding Strategies
      • AI Computing Prompts
    • AI Prompts
  • Teaching & Learning
    • Wellbeing
    • Blog
    • Humour >
      • Teacher Humour
      • Teacher Humor
    • PLN Challenge >
      • Covering your backside
      • Online Privacy
      • Twitter Challenge >
        • Twitter All Star
        • Challenge 1
        • Challenge 2
        • Challenge 3
        • Tips for staying safe on Twitter
        • Tips for hosting Edu Twitter Chats
        • Tips for taking part in Twitter chats
        • It's all about the hashtag! Essential chats for educators
        • How to storify a chat
        • How to schedule Tweets
        • Twitter Lists
        • NT2tEU
      • Facebook Challenge >
        • Challenge 4
        • Challenge 5
        • Challenge 6
        • Tips for staying safe on Facebook
      • Google Challenge >
        • Challenge 7
        • Challenge 8
        • Challenge 9
      • Pinterest Challenge >
        • Challenge 10
        • Challenge 11
        • Challenge 12
        • Tips for using Pinterest
      • Blog Challenge >
        • Challenge 13
        • Challenge 14
        • Challenge 15
        • How to create a classroom blog
      • Staffrm Challenge >
        • Challenge 16
        • Challenge 17
        • Challenge 18
      • Skype Challenge >
        • Challenge 19
        • Challenge 20
        • Challenge 21
      • Edmodo Challenge >
        • Challenge 22
        • Challenge 23
        • Challenge 24
      • TeachMeet Challenge >
        • Challenge 25
        • Challenge 26
        • Challenge 27
      • In-school challenge >
        • Challenge 28
        • Challenge 29
        • Challenge 30
      • 30 ways to grow your PLN
    • Tools for Teachers >
      • Web 2.0 >
        • Top 10 Web 2.0 Tools
        • Classroom Response Tools
      • Quiz Tools
      • Classroom Management Tools
      • Software >
        • Media Conversion Tools
        • Application Software
      • Multimedia >
        • Free Music
    • BYOD
    • Digital Leaders >
      • Digital Leaders Blog >
        • DL Archive
      • DL Tips
      • Quotes
      • Links
    • Flipped Learning >
      • Flipped Classroom vs. Blended Classroom
    • Gamification >
      • Gamification vs. Game Based Learning vs. Game Design
    • School Closures
    • Game Based Learning >
      • Minecraft >
        • Minecraft in Education
        • Minecraft Lesson Ideas
        • Minecraft Literacy
        • Real Life Minecraft
        • Minecraft Top Tips
        • Minecraft Coding Tutorials >
          • Minecraft Code Builder Setup
          • Minecraft Code: Walking on Air
          • Minecraft Code: Hello World
          • Minecraft Code: Functions
          • Minecraft Code: Rainbow
          • Minecraft Code: Skyscraper
          • Minecraft Pixel Art
    • The magic of >
      • The magic of Computing
      • The magic of Maths
      • The magic of Science
      • The magic of Literacy
    • Road2e2
    • T&L Blog
  • Computing
    • Computing Blog >
      • GCSE Computer Science
      • General
    • Teaching Computer Science >
      • CPD >
        • Blocks to Code
        • Tutorials >
          • How to embed Flash into PowerPoint
          • How to embed YouTube videos in to PowerPoint
          • How to create a wiki
          • How to create a classroom blog
      • Schemes of Work
      • Programming Resources
      • Theory
      • Posters
      • Festive Computing Activities
      • FLOPPYS 2020
      • FLOPPYS 2021
      • FLOPPYS 2022
      • Game Design
      • App Creation
    • Theory Lessons >
      • Theory Tests
      • Computer Hardware >
        • Input / Output
        • CPU
        • LMC
        • Storage Devices
        • Memory (RAM / ROM)
        • Hardware
      • Binary Lessons >
        • Units of Data
        • Binary Representation
        • Binary Representation of Images
        • Binary Representation of Images (Festive)
        • Binary Representation of Characters
        • Binary Representation of Sound
        • Binary Representation of Instructions
        • Binary Addition
        • Hexadecimal
      • Software >
        • Operating System
        • Types of Software
        • Utility Software
      • Programming >
        • Flowcharts
      • Computational Thinking >
        • Data Science
    • Digital Literacy >
      • Social Media (Good or Bad thing?)
      • Cyberbullying
      • Staying Safe Online
    • ICT Strand >
      • Fake News Project >
        • Fake News 1
        • Fake News 2
        • Fake News 3
        • Fake News 4
        • Fake News 5
      • Spreadsheet Modelling
      • Superhero Movie Trailer
      • PowerPoint Task
      • Digital Imaging
      • Paint 3D Tutorial
    • Programming Lessons >
      • Scratch >
        • Festive Scratch >
          • Music Festive with Scratch
          • Turtle Snowflakes
          • What's your elf name
          • Secret Santa
        • Making music with Scratch
        • Sorting Hat Lesson
        • Turtle Time
        • Superhero name generator
        • Compliment Generator
        • Magic 8 ball
      • Python >
        • Chatbot
        • Coding Golf
        • Turtle Time >
          • Turtle Instructions
        • Magic 8 ball
        • Python Mad Libs
        • Rock Paper Scissors
        • Shakespearean Insult Generator >
          • Shakespearean Insult Generator Part 2
        • Compliment generator
        • Sorting Hat
        • Superhero name generator
        • Cards Against
        • Guess the word
        • Guess the number
        • Festive Python >
          • What's your elf name
          • Secret Santa
          • Turtle Snowflakes
      • Little Man Computer
      • Hour of Code >
        • Hour of Code Music
        • Python Tutorials
        • HoC 8-Bit Challenge
        • Music MicroPython (Festive)
      • Raspberry Pi >
        • Networking the Pi
        • Minecraft Pi
        • Harry Potter Sorting Hat >
          • Harry Potter Sorting Hat (GPIO)
        • Raspberry Pi LTSP (Networked Classroom)
        • Astro Pi
    • Homeschooling
    • Remote Learning >
      • Fun Python Tutorials
      • Python Tutorials >
        • Chatbot Tutorial
        • Dice Roll
        • Turtle Tutorial
        • Magic 8 ball
        • Sorting Hat
        • Rock Paper Scissors Tutorial
        • Cards Against
        • Python Mad Libs
        • Shakespearean Insult Generator >
          • Shakespearean Insult Generator Part 2
        • Guess the word
        • Guess the number
        • Superhero name generator
        • Compliment generator
        • Festive Python Tutorials >
          • What's your elf name
          • Secret Santa
          • Turtle Snowflakes
      • Scratch Tutorials >
        • Sorting Hat
        • What's your superhero name
        • Turtle Time Tutorial
        • Compliment Generator
        • Magic 8 Ball
        • Festive Scratch Tutorials >
          • Festive Music with Scratch
          • Secret Santa Scratch Tutorial
          • Turtle Snowflakes Tutorial
          • What's your elf name
    • Revision >
      • Data Representation >
        • Binary Representation of Images
        • Binary Representation of Sound
  • 21 Things
    • 21 Things To Try >
      • ConnectEd
      • Social Media >
        • Twitter
        • Pinterest
        • Facebook Groups
        • Facebook Pages
        • Google+ Communities
        • Staffrm
        • Edmodo
        • Mystery Skype
        • Blogging
        • Classroom Blogging
      • Gamification
      • Flipped Classroom
      • Breakout Edu
      • Edu Podcasts
      • Jar of Awesome
      • TeachMeet
      • Team Teaching
      • Mixed Reality
      • Digital Leaders
      • Genius Hour
      • Sketchnoting
    • Computing >
      • CS 20
      • Code Golf
      • PRIMM
      • Under The Hood
      • Unplugged
      • Podcasts
      • Facebook Groups CS
      • Flipped Classroom CS
      • Teach with Magic
      • Socratic Debate
      • Coding Music
    • 21 Things Keep Fit >
      • 20 Health Hacks
      • Home Health Hacks
    • 21 Things PLN >
      • Edmodo
      • Twitter
      • Reply to a blog
      • Skype
      • Cofee Edu
      • Pinterest
      • Reach out
      • Conferences
      • Instagram
      • Ning
      • MEC
      • Voxer
      • LinkedIn
  • Microbit
    • Physical Computing >
      • micro:bit LEDs
      • micro:bit PIR
      • micro:bit Servo
      • micro:bit Temp
      • micro:bit LDR
      • micro:bit Moisture
      • micro:bit RGB LEDs
      • micro:bit HC-SR04 3v3
      • micro:bit HC-SR04 5v
      • micro:bit Push button
      • micro:bit Potentiometer
      • micro:bit Piezo
    • Music >
      • Music Festive
    • Festive Projects
    • Projects >
      • Music
      • Music MicroPython
      • Servo Animals
    • Lessons >
      • Magic 8 Ball
      • Harry Potter Sorting Hat
    • Quick Start Guide
    • Microbit Simulator
  • #100 Ideas
    • Testimonials
    • Competition >
      • Competition 2
    • Worksheets
    • Bonus Ideas >
      • What's your elf name
      • Make me happy
      • Guess the word
      • Cards Against Humanities
      • Compliment generator
      • Data Science
    • Curriculum
    • ISTE
    • CSTA
  • About
    • Privacy
Search by typing & pressing enter

YOUR CART

Python Magic 8 Ball

Learn how to make a magic 8 ball game in python with this free python web tutorial
Like this tutorial? Share it with your followers by clicking on the image below.
Python Magic 8 Ball Lesson
Creating a “Magic 8 ball game using Python

In this introduction to programming using Python, you will create a “Magic 8-Ball” game. The game will work by asking the user to input a yes / no style question and will respond with one of it’s classic predictions such as: “Yes”, “Most likely” and “Outlook not so good”.

Introduction:

The Magic 8-ball is a fortune telling toy created by Mattel in the 1950s.
Magic 8 Ball
Image by CRASH:Candy, used under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license (Flickr image link)
The concept is simple. Ask the 8-ball a yes or no question and the 8-ball will reply with answers such as “Yes”, “No”, “Without a doubt” etc. (Seemingly being able to predict the future)

The Magic 8 Ball is made up of 20 responses – 10 positive, 5 negative and 5 neutral. The 20 answers are:

Positive answers:

● It is certain ● It is decidedly so ● Without a doubt ● Yes definitely ● You may rely on it ● As I see it, yes ● Most likely ● Outlook good ● Yes ● Signs point to yes

Negative answers:

● Don't count on it ● My reply is no ● My sources say no ● Outlook not so good ● Very doubtful

Neutral answers:

● Reply hazy try again ● Ask again later ● Better not tell you now ● Cannot predict now ● Concentrate and ask again


According to Wikipedia: (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magic_8-Ball) “Using the coupon collector's problem in probability theory, it can be shown that it takes, on average, 72 outcomes of the Magic 8 Ball for all 20 of its answers to appear at least once.” 

To find out more about the Magic 8-Ball game, click on the links below:
  • Wikipedia (Magic 8-Ball) - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magic_8-Ball 
  • Magic 8-Ball.org - http://www.magic8ball.org 

STEP 1: Introducing the Random Function
 
Before you create your Magic 8-ball game, you need to become familiar with the random function in Python. 
 
Let's start by writing an algorithm to simulate the flipping of a coin.
 
Type in and run the following code (using the code window above):
import random
​​
cointoss = [“Heads”,”Tails”]
print(random.choice(cointoss))
Use the code window (above) to test out your code!
How the code works!
The first line imports the random function needed for the 'coin toss' game to work. The second line of code creates a list containing our two possible outcomes from flipping a coin ('Heads' or 'Tales') and that the last line selects a random entry from the list (in this case either “Heads” or “Tails”) and display it on the screen.      

Challenge 1
Comment the code, using the hashtag (#), explaining what each line of code is doing. Note: these three lines of code will form the main basis of your ‘Magic 8-ball’ game.
 
Challenge 2
  • Modify your code to simulate the rolling of a dice.

 STEP 2 – Creating a simple Magic 8-Ball game
Use the code window above to test your 'magic 8 ball'.
Let's start by importing the necessary libraries to make our code work. Enter the folowing code (in the code window above):  
​​import random
import time 
When creating your Magic 8-Ball game, you will first need to create a list containing all of the 8-ball's possible responses. I suggest starting with just 3 responses: "Yes". "No" and "Maybe".

Next, let's create a list containing some responses. For example: ​
​responses = ["yes","no","maybe"]
Next, let's add some code to instruct the user to input a 'Yes/No answer' type question:
​question = input("Please ask me a Yes/No style question ")
Next, let's add in a pause (using the time.sleep() function) to make it appear as if the computer is thinking about the answer:
time.sleep(2)
Finally, let's add the code to select a random response from the list:
print(random.choice(responses)) ​
Challenge 3
​
  1. Comment your code explaining what each line is doing.
  2. Input all of the 20 classic answers. (See above) Hint: You can change the answers if you wish however, you must keep to the format of 10 positive, 5 negative and 5 neutral answers.
  3. Modify the code so that the pause is random.
  4. Modify your code so that the game repeats (loops) until the user tells it to stop.
Resources:
Example solution
magic_8.zip
File Size: 0 kb
File Type: zip
Download File


Challenge 4

Having really long lists in Python is not very efficient. Not only that, it makes it more difficult to debug. A much better way to handle the list of responses would be to use a text file.

In the code window below, we have added a text file called 'responses.txt' 
In the text file, add all the remaing 20 possible responses (each on a new line). Note: The first two have been done for you!
It is certain
It is decidedly so
...
Finally, enter the following code in the code window above (making sure that you read the comments explaining what the code is doing).
​import random
import time

# Open the 8 Ball responses text file
f = open('responses.txt','r')

# Read the whole file and store each line in a list
responses = f.readlines()

# Ask the user to input a Yes/No style question
question = input("Please ask me a question")

# Pause for 2 seconds to make it look like the computer is thinking 
time.sleep(2)

# Print a response at random from the list
print(random.choice(responses)) 

Extra Challenge

  1. Comment your code explaining what each line is doing.
  2. Input all of the 20 classic answers. Remember: You can change the answers if you wish however, you must keep to the format of 10 positive, 5 negative and 5 neutral answers.
  3. Modify the code so that the pause is random.
  4. Modify your code so that the game repeats (loops) until the user tells it to stop.
  5. Modify your code so that it becomes a random name picker for your class.

Picture
Python 'Magic 8-Ball' lesson is licenced under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

You may also be interested in:
  • Python Shakespearean insult generator
  • Python Mad Libs
  • Code Golf
  • Python Sorting Hat
  • Python Chat Bot
  • Cards Against
  • Guess the word
  • Guess the number

Tags: Python web, python programming language, python programming, python coding
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.