ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a helpful framework for motivating considerations of algorithm design, program structure, and testing as well as general issues of the appropriate usage of simulation and computer modeling. Considerable time has passed since the original column first appeared in December 1997. At that time, many introductory computing courses focused on imperative problem solving, and iteration was often emphasized for repeating operations. In this context, the racquetball-volleyball simulation yielded a lovely programming assignment that required only modest background: I/O, Boolean expressions, conditional statements, conditional loops, and random numbers. The chapter first presents a racquetball version, and then presents modifications for a volleyball version. Racquetball is a game played by two players on an indoor, enclosed court. Volleyball rules are similar, except play continues until one team scores 15 points, and a team must win by at least two points.
