pxt-calliope/docs/lessons/compass/activity.md

# compass activity

Display the direction that the @boardname@ is facing using the compass 

## ~avatar avatar

Welcome! This guided tutorial will show you how to program a script that displays the direction the @boardname@ is pointing. Let's get started!

## ~

Create a loop that will continuously update the reading of the compass.


```blocks
basic.forever(() => {
    
})
```

Store the reading of the @boardname@ in a variable called `degrees`.

```blocks
basic.forever(() => {
    let degrees = input.compassHeading()
})
```

If `degrees` is less than `45` or greater than `315`, then the compass heading is mostly pointing toward North. Display `N` on the @boardname@.

```blocks
basic.forever(() => {
    let degrees = input.compassHeading();
    if (degrees < 45 || degrees > 315) {
        basic.showString("N");
    }
});
```
    
If `degrees` is less than 135, the @boardname@ is mostly pointing East. Display `E` on the @boardname@.


```blocks
basic.forever(() => {
    let degrees = input.compassHeading();
    if (degrees < 45 || degrees > 315) {
        basic.showString("N");
    }
    else if (degrees < 135) {
        basic.showString("E");
    }
});
```

If `degrees` is less than 225, the @boardname@ is mostly pointing South. Display `S` on the @boardname@.


```blocks
basic.forever(() => {
    let degrees = input.compassHeading();
    if (degrees < 45 || degrees > 315) {
        basic.showString("N");
    }
    else if (degrees < 135) {
        basic.showString("E");
    }
    else if (degrees < 225) {
        basic.showString("S");
    }
});
```


If none of these conditions are true, then the @boardname@ must be pointing West. Display `W` on the @boardname@.

```blocks
basic.forever(() => {
    let degrees = input.compassHeading();
    if (degrees < 45 || degrees > 315) {
        basic.showString("N");
    }
    else if (degrees < 135) {
        basic.showString("E");
    }
    else if (degrees < 225) {
        basic.showString("S");
    }
    else {
        basic.showString("W");
    }
});
```

## ~avatar avatar

Excellent, you're ready to continue with the [challenges](/lessons/compass/challenges)!

## ~