Cracking the Code: Fixing the Scissors Option in Your Rock Paper Scissors Game Using Vanilla JavaScript

Are you stuck with a Rock Paper Scissors game that refuses to acknowledge the mighty scissors option? Do you find yourself scratching your head, wondering why your code isn’t working as intended? Fear not, dear developer, for we’re about to embark on a thrilling adventure to debug and fix the scissors option in your Rock Paper Scissors game using Vanilla JavaScript.

Understanding the Basics: How Rock Paper Scissors Works

Before we dive into the troubleshooting process, let’s take a quick peek at how the Rock Paper Scissors game typically functions:

1. The game requires two players: the user and the computer.
2. The user selects one of three options: Rock, Paper, or Scissors.
3. The computer generates a random choice from the same options.
4. The game determines the winner based on the following rules:
   • Rock beats Scissors
   • Scissors beats Paper
   • Paper beats Rock
5. The game displays the result, and the user can play again.

The Problem: Scissors Refuses to Cooperate

Now, let’s imagine that your game is working flawlessly, except for one tiny issue: the scissors option doesn’t seem to work as intended. The user selects scissors, but the game either ignores it or produces an incorrect result. You’ve checked your code, but everything looks correct. What’s going on?

Diagnosing the Issue: Common Culprits

Before we start digging into the code, let’s explore some common reasons why the scissors option might not be working:

• Typo or Case Sensitivity: Double-check your code for any typos or case sensitivity issues. Ensure that the scissors option is spelled correctly and matches the exact case used in your game logic.
• Misconfigured Game Logic: Verify that your game logic accurately reflects the rules of Rock Paper Scissors. Make sure the conditions for winning, losing, and drawing are correctly implemented.
• Random Number Generation: If you’re using a random number generator to determine the computer’s choice, ensure that it’s functioning correctly and producing a valid result.
• Event Listeners and DOM Manipulation: If you’re using event listeners to capture user input, confirm that they’re firing correctly and updating the game state accordingly.

Let’s Get Our Hands Dirty: Debugging the Code

Now that we’ve covered the common culprits, let’s dive into a sample code snippet that demonstrates the scissors option not working:

<button id="rock">Rock</button>
<button id="paper">Paper</button>
<button id="scissors">Scissors</button>

<script>
  const rockButton = document.getElementById("rock");
  const paperButton = document.getElementById("paper");
  const scissorsButton = document.getElementById("scissors");

  rockButton.addEventListener("click", playGame);
  paperButton.addEventListener("click", playGame);
  scissorsButton.addEventListener("click", playGame);

  function playGame() {
    const userChoice = this.id;
    const computerChoice = getComputerChoice();

    console.log("User: " + userChoice);
    console.log("Computer: " + computerChoice);

    determineWinner(userChoice, computerChoice);
  }

  function getComputerChoice() {
    const choices = ["rock", "paper", "scissors"];
    const randomNumber = Math.floor(Math.random() * 3);
    return choices[randomNumber];
  }

  function determineWinner(userChoice, computerChoice) {
    if (userChoice === computerChoice) {
      console.log("It's a tie!");
    } else if (userChoice === "rock" && computerChoice === "scissors") {
      console.log("Rock beats Scissors! You win!");
    } else if (userChoice === "paper" && computerChoice === "rock") {
      console.log("Paper beats Rock! You win!");
    } else if (userChoice === "scissors" && computerChoice === "paper") {
      console.log("Scissors beats Paper! You win!");
    } else {
      console.log("You lose! Try again.");
    }
  }
</script>

Identifying the Issue

After examining the code, we can see that the problem lies in the determineWinner() function. Specifically, the condition for Scissors beating Paper is incorrect:

else if (userChoice === "scissors" && computerChoice === "paper") {
  console.log("Scissors beats Paper! You win!");
}

This condition is never being met because the && operator is used incorrectly. In JavaScript, the && operator has a higher precedence than the === operator, causing the condition to evaluate incorrectly.

Fixing the Scissors Option

To fix the issue, we need to adjust the condition in the determineWinner() function to correctly evaluate the Scissors beating Paper scenario:

else if (userChoice === "scissors" && computerChoice === "paper") {
  console.log("Scissors cuts Paper! You win!");
}

Becomes:

else if (userChoice === "scissors" && (computerChoice === "paper")) {
  console.log("Scissors cuts Paper! You win!");
}

By adding parentheses around the computerChoice === "paper" condition, we ensure that the evaluation order is correct, and the Scissors option starts working as intended.

Conclusion: Victory is Ours!

With the Scissors option now functioning correctly, your Rock Paper Scissors game is ready to rock (pun intended)! By following these steps, you’ve not only fixed the issue but also gained valuable insight into debugging and troubleshooting JavaScript code.

Remember, when faced with a perplexing problem, take a step back, and:

• Verify your code for typos and case sensitivity issues
• Check your game logic and random number generation
• Ensure event listeners and DOM manipulation are working correctly
• Use debugging tools and console logging to identify the issue

With these skills in your toolkit, you’ll be well-equipped to tackle any JavaScript challenge that comes your way. Happy coding, and may the best Rock Paper Scissors player win!

Before	After
else if (userChoice === "scissors" && computerChoice === "paper")	else if (userChoice === "scissors" && (computerChoice === "paper"))

By making this simple adjustment, you’ve fixed the Scissors option and ensured that your Rock Paper Scissors game is now fully functional. Pat yourself on the back, developer! You’ve earned it.

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