Making small verifiable steps & human feedback.

[Solumbra]

To make small verifiable steps (I might be wrong here 🤷‍♂️), wouldn’t the simplest way be to attach a unique identifier to each step?

E.g. when the user inputs ‘create a game of snake’ it is first converted to “create a comprehensive checklist to create a game of snake. (Give a unique ID to each step and sub-step for later reference). Also identify each step and sub-step where writing code is required.”

This should create a hierarchical / nested checklist in a top-down structure. Ie.
1
1.1
1.1.1
1.1.2
1.2
1.2.1
Etc

However, if it’s taught leaf-to-branch-to-root and you input:
“create a comprehensive checklist to create a game of snake. (Give a unique ID to each step and sub-step for later reference). Also identify each step and sub-step where writing code is required. Use a leaf-to-branch-to-root structure”

Then the following should be the outcome (this is a copy/paste ChatGPT response):

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Certainly! Here's a comprehensive checklist for creating a game of Snake using a leaf-to-branch-to-root structure:

Game of Snake Checklist:

1.1.1 Define the Snake's Movement

• [Code Required] Write functions to move the snake up, down, left, and right based on user input.

1.1.2 Define the Snake's Growth

• [Code Required] Write a function to increase the snake's length when it eats food.

1.1.3 Define the Snake's Collision

• [Code Required] Write functions to detect if the snake collides with the game boundaries or itself.

1.1 Snake Mechanics (Branch)

• Combine the movement, growth, and collision functions to define the overall mechanics of the snake.

1.2.1 Define Food Placement

• [Code Required] Write a function to randomly place food on the game screen.

1.2.2 Define Food Consumption

• [Code Required] Write a function to detect when the snake consumes the food.

1.2 Food Mechanics (Branch)

• Combine the food placement and consumption functions to define the overall mechanics of the food.

1.3.1 Define the Game Screen

• [Code Required] Write functions to initialize the game screen, display the snake, and display the food.

1.3.2 Define the Game Score

• [Code Required] Write functions to calculate and display the player's score.

1.3.3 Define Game Over Condition

• [Code Required] Write a function to detect and display a game over message when the snake collides with the boundaries or itself.

1.3 Game Display Mechanics (Branch)

• Combine the game screen, score, and game over functions to define the overall display mechanics.

1.4.1 Define User Input Mechanics

• [Code Required] Write functions to capture and process user input for snake movement.

1.4 User Interaction Mechanics (Branch)

• Combine user input mechanics with the game's mechanics to allow user interaction.

1 Game Mechanics (Root)

• Combine snake mechanics, food mechanics, game display mechanics, and user interaction mechanics to define the overall game mechanics.

2.1.1 Initialize the Game Library

• [Code Required] Write code to initialize the game library (e.g., pygame).

2.1.2 Set Game Parameters

• [Code Required] Define and set game parameters such as screen size, colors, initial snake length, etc.

2.1 Game Initialization (Branch)

• Combine the game library initialization and game parameters setting.

2.2.1 Start the Game Loop

• [Code Required] Write the main game loop that keeps the game running.

2.2.2 Handle Game Events

• [Code Required] Within the game loop, handle game events such as snake movement, food consumption, and game over conditions.

2.2 Game Loop Mechanics (Branch)

• Combine the game loop start and game event handling.

2 Game Setup and Loop (Root)

• Combine game initialization and game loop mechanics to set up and run the game.

3 Final Game Assembly (Main Root)

• Assemble all the components to create the final game of Snake.

This checklist provides a structured approach to creating the Snake game, ensuring that each component is developed and integrated in a logical sequence.

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Each leaf can be further broken down to eg 1.1.1.1

I used:
“Break down 1.1.1 to its sub parts”
(But any other way to say it should give the same result)

And got:

Certainly! Let's break down the step "1.1.1 Define the Snake's Movement" into its sub-parts:

1.1.1 Define the Snake's Movement:

1.1.1.1 Initialize Snake's Starting Position

• [Code Required] Define the initial position of the snake on the game screen (e.g., center of the screen).

1.1.1.2 Define Snake's Direction

• [Code Required] Create variables or enumerations to represent the four possible directions the snake can move in: up, down, left, and right.

1.1.1.3 Handle User Input for Movement

• [Code Required] Capture user input (e.g., arrow keys or WASD keys) to determine the desired direction of movement.

1.1.1.4 Update Snake's Position

• [Code Required] Based on the current direction and user input, update the snake's position on the game screen.

1.1.1.5 Set Movement Speed

• [Code Required] Define a variable or constant for the snake's movement speed, determining how fast the snake moves in its current direction.

1.1.1.6 Prevent Reverse Movement

• [Code Required] Implement logic to prevent the snake from moving in the opposite direction of its current movement (e.g., prevent moving left if the current direction is right).

By breaking down the movement mechanics into these sub-parts, we can ensure that the snake's movement is smooth, responsive, and behaves as expected during gameplay.

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This level (x.x.x.x) and x.x.x.x.x should be working granular levels. Where, each item can be checked independently of any other.

Theoretically, this approach of giving every item a reference code could help expedite the development of gpt-engineer by helping it develop itself.