What happens when Karel runs into a wall?

When Karel runs into a wall, it comes to a complete stop and awaits further instructions. This behavior is by design, as Karel is programmed to only move in ways that are physically possible based on its environment. Walls represent an obstacle that Karel cannot overcome; therefore, it cannot continue moving forward.

This concept is fundamental in understanding how Karel interacts with its environment, allowing for logical programming and decision-making. In a typical programming scenario, allowing Karel to stop when encountering a wall encourages the programmer to think critically about commands and conditions to ensure Karel successfully navigates its surroundings in subsequent steps. Thus, Karel’s pause enables programmers to provide new instructions rather than letting Karel proceed into an impossible situation.