Scratch is a website dedicated to inspiring individuals who are
new to programming language. A person can create an interactive animation
within minutes by using blocks versus syntax. The
tutorials within the scratch website provide easy step-by-step
instructions for those learning to Scratch or not to Scratch.
The primary
challenge I encountered was my lack of knowledge and prior programming
experience. However, after watching Scratch tutorials I was inspired and
excited to Scratch. I
learned how to create an interactive animation through tutorials
provided on the Scratch website. The tutorials helped me understand the
structure and logic to plan a layout design/backdrop using sprite actions in a
simple and visual interface. The functionality of the stage layout
reminded me of the 0’s and 1’s of machine language, including the Central
Processing Unit (CPU) instructions: input, add, output, stop, subtract,
multiply, divide, jump, etc. Practicing and learning to run basic Python
programs in my Fundamentals of
Information Technology & Literacy college class, helped me better understand the use of the
Scratch blocks.
Scratch is
different from Python because of its graphical logic blocks programming
approach, which allows for animation, sounds, and graphics without detailed
syntax; users do not have to enter source code manually. Python language can
become complicated for new users due to the source code and language
punctuation needed to create text output.
The Scratch
program language was easier to work worth than Python due to importing graphics
and sounds. Scratch allowed me to quickly learn control structures, variables,
and operators using building blocks. The progression of higher-level
programming during Scratch is an issue when combining and stopping multiple
simultaneous sounds.
Scratch would be
most popular with beginners new to programming; Python would be preferred by
experienced software developers due to the use of more sophisticated language
capabilities of function calls and editing through textual code. For
developers, the use of Python enables the use of many tools. For example, integrated
development environments (IDE) have a central interface with multiple
tools: code editor, compiler, debugger, and build automation tools.
By choosing to Scratch, Scratch’s simplicity and programming environment provided me with an exciting and invaluable programming learning experience that will guide me throughout my information technology career.