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While block based programing environments like this make programming look easier at first glance, I'm unconvinced they actually make things easier. For instanc
by pwim 16y ago
While block based programing environments like this make programming look easier at first glance, I'm unconvinced they actually make things easier. For instance, I don't really see how the example screen is different than something like the following:
when Button1.Click
do
TinyDB.StoreValue(tag: SearchQueries, valueToStore: TextBox1.text)
Label1.text = TextBox1.text
Text also has the advantage that you can manipulate it in standard ways - such as copying and pasting it.
The difficulty in programing is understanding the abstraction, and thinking algorithmically. Displaying programs in a nice GUI won't make that easier.
- roryokane 16y agoA GUI won’t make programming easier in the long run, but it will probably make it look less intimidating to newbies. Ideally, Google would offer a “text mode” with an API equivalent to the block mode so that users could upgrade after they have been “suckered in” by the easygoing look of blocks and learned a bit more about abstractions and algorithms.
- omaranto 16y agoI think the main advantage might be that you have a palette of operations your program could perform next and clues (from the shape and colors) about which operations make sense in a given context, which makes it easier to explore. Text is much more open-ended and doesn't suggest anything (although I guess that intelligent completion in the editor can provide similar benefits).
- brisance 16y agoGood points. Text also allows for version control; although AppInventor is targeted towards newbies, a graphical-based IDE is going to be challenging when you're trying to diff between two seemingly-identical versions.