My Experience Using Scratch and Programming Languages
My Scratch Project
Experience Using Scratch
Scratch is a super cool tool that helps kids learn about programming. It’s got a friendly interface that makes it easy for kids to create their own games and animations. I tried it out and made a golden cat that could move around the scene! It was my first time programming an animation, and I had a blast. You use different keys on your keyboard to control your characters. I chose a cat and programmed him to walk, cartwheel, jump, and flip. The only challenging part was adding sound to the command. I could not get the commands to sync with the sounds. I wanted the cat to move with the sound as soon as I pressed the key. So, I moved the sound box down one slot, but it didn’t work. Then I tried using an IF/THEN control, but his legs wouldn’t move. After a few tries, I finally figured out how to make it work. It turns out I didn’t need to add an IF/THEN statement. I just needed to move the box down one more slot, and everything worked perfectly!
Insights
Scratch vs. Programming Languages
Just like Google lets you type in any word and find information related to your search. Scratch is also like a query language because it organizes the boxes into categories so you can find what you need. It makes it easy to find the commands you need and shows you every command in the scratch language.
However, Scratch does not operate the same as every programming language. For instance, compiled languages need a compiler to execute commands (TestOut Corp, 2024). The compiler translates the developer’s code into a specific operating system’s machine language and saves it as a .exe file, which is downloaded directly into a computer's processor (TestOut, 2024). So, compiled languages are slower than Scratch to implement. In contrast, assembly languages do not need a translation tool because it's similar to machine languages (TestOut Corp, 2024). It’s analogous to two people speaking different dialects, so it’s fast to implement. However, its similarity to machine language makes it challenging to write. Assembly language is one of the first programming languages ever developed and, consequently, difficult to learn, unlike Scratch (TestOut, 2024). Scratch is easy to understand and fast to implement.
Easiest to Use
I think interpreted language might be the easiest to use because it's fast to implement and portable. Interpreted languages use an interpreter to convert source code into machine code for any operating system (TestOut Corp, 2024). So, once users debug their programs, there are no further steps. Likewise, it’s easy to find mistakes in the program since the program is converted one line at a time (TestOut Corp, 2024). However, the ladder also makes interpreted languages more challenging to maintain than other languages (Kwame et al., 2017). Developers only find bugs when they’re running the code, which can be a real pain when you’re dealing with a lot of code. It’s like when I tried to add sound to the cats’ walk. I thought I had it all figured out, but then I started getting all sorts of problems. Another downside is that interpreted languages take about twice as long to run as other languages (Kwame et al., 2017). So, they’re not really the best choice for coding systems that need to be super fast. Interpreted languages remind me of Scratch; it’s like playing with blocks, and you can make mistakes without worrying about them.
Programming System Strengths
Interpreted languages are suitable for students who want to learn about coding. They’re similar to the Scratch program because the source code only works when it's written correctly. Working with interpreted languages teaches students how computers think and problem-solving skills. Since it’s easy to make syntax mistakes and create bugs within the code, professors can create complex homework assignments for students to debug. Students will receive plenty of practice and gain their practical knowledge of coding.
Programmers can use assembly language to tweak a computer’s performance. It can directly interact with the computer’s processor or RAM, changing how it works and making it more efficient (TestOut, 2024). But bad actors can use the same tricks to do the opposite. TestOut (2024) says assembly languages aren’t as common these days because “higher-level programming languages were created” (Chapter 10.1.5, para. 2). However, they might still be useful for hobbyists and cybersecurity professionals.
Query languages are helpful for building a database. The purpose of query languages is to find information. When students are doing research for a project, they type keywords into a database. The database then converts the keywords into a query language, such as SQL, to retrieve resources relating to them and display the results on the screen (TestOut, 2024). In essence, query languages help people find information quickly and efficiently.
My Opinion of What’s Most Popular
I think the most popular computer language is compiled language because it's used for operating systems, which make computers function. Everyone I know owns a few computers, whether a smartphone, smartwatch, or personal computer. So, there must be many devices on the plant. Each one uses an OS to function correctly because it manages data in the CPU. So, the other languages are somewhat useless without compiled languages because no one could access their software. Or our computers would run slower. Either way, we wouldn’t enjoy our devices as much without compiled languages.
References
Kwame, A. E., Martey, E. M., & Chris, A. G. (2017). Qualitative assessment of compiled, interpreted, and hybrid programming languages. Foundation of Computer Science FCS, 7(7), p. 8-13. https://www.caeaccess.org/archives/volume7/number7/764-2017652685/
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