You may have noticed in our Code Assist panel that there is documentation for a library called pygame as well as for a library called tsapp. There are differences and similarities between the two libraries.
The similarities
Both libraries can be used to create graphics-based programs and animation. Both allow for keyboard and mouse interaction.
The differences
Pygame is a library available to the general coding public. Anyone with a computer can install and access pygame when programming in Python. Pygame is currently used in TechSmart's 100 level middle school courses, as these courses were developed before the creation of tsapp.
Tsapp is an exclusive library created for TechSmart's 200 level high school courses. Tsapp, in many ways, has more specific and direct methods and functions utilized for activities developed for teachers and students who use TechSmart's curriculum. Tsapp is more concise and was designed to support specific learning objectives, while pygame is more comprehensive.
The important thing to note here is that whichever library your students use, custom or general, reading library documentation and applying it to create programs to your specifications is the true skill being developed.
Which option do I select when searching Code Assist?
Many times options for both tsapp and pygame will appear. For instance, searching "sprite" will render results for each library. The general rule is, If you are a high school student or teacher, the tsapp result is the one you are probably looking for. If you are a middle school student or teacher, the pygame result is the one you are probably looking for.
Code Assist Documentation Menus
| TSApp used in CS 201 and CS 202 | PyGame used in CS 101, 102, 103 and 104 |
In summary, both libraries are powerful and allow you to create graphics-based programs, but tsapp is created exclusively for TechSmart 200 level courses. Feel free to leave a comment below if you have any additional questions about this topic.
For more in-depth details on the tsapp library, check out this article: The tsapp Library