List of educational programming languages: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 22:42, 13 December 2024

Revision as of 13:10, 14 December 2024

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* [[MIX (abstract machine)|'''MIX''']] (1968) and '''[[MMIX]]''' (1999) are hypothetical computer models featured in [[Donald Knuth]]'s (Art of Computer Programming'').'' The MIX computer is designed for educational purposes, illustrating how a basic machine language operates. Despite its simplicity, it can handle complex tasks typical of high-performance computers. MIX allows programming in both binary and decimal, with [[software emulator]]s available for both models. MMIX, which superseded MIX, is a 64-bit [[Reduced instruction set computer|RISC]] instruction set architecture, modernized for teaching contemporary computer architecture.

* '''[[DLX]]''' (1994) is a reduced instruction set computer ([[Reduced instruction set computer|RISC]]) processor architecture created by key developers of the [[MIPS architecture|MIPS]] and Berkeley [[Reduced instruction set computer|RISC]] designs. DLX is a simplified version of [[MIPS architecture|MIPS]], offering a 32-bit load/store architecture commonly used in college-level computer architecture courses.

* [[Next Byte Codes|'''[[Next Byte Codes]]''']] (NBC), (2007) is a simple assembly language used for programming [[Lego Mindstorms NXT]] programmable bricks. The NBC compiler produces NXT-compatible machine code and is supported on Windows, macOS and Linux.

* [[Little Computer 3|'''[[Little Computer 3]]''']] (LC-3), (2019) is an assembly language with a simplified instruction set, enabling the writing of moderately complex assembly programs. It includes many features found in more advanced languages, making it useful for teaching basic programming and [[computer architecture]]. It is primarily used in introductory computer science and engineering courses.

===BASIC variants===

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BASIC offers a learning path from learning-oriented BASICs such as [[Microsoft Small Basic]], [[BASIC-256]] [[Simple Mail Transfer Protocol|SIMPLE]] and to more full-featured BASICs like [[Visual Basic .NET|Visual Basic, NET]] and [[Gambas]].

* [[Microsoft Small Basic|'''[[Microsoft Small Basic]]''']] is a restricted version of [[Visual Basic (classic)|Visual Basic]] designed as an introductory programming language for beginners. It's intentionally minimal with just 15 keywords for basic functionality. By providing specific libraries for topics that interest children, they can create programs for both the web and [[Desktop computer|desktop]] environments. For example, with 6 lines of code, it is possible to demonstrate a random network image viewer using [[Flickr]] as the source.<ref>Microsoft corporation 2009 [http://download.microsoft.com/download/9/0/6/90616372-C4BF-4628-BC82-BD709635220D/Introducing%20Small%20Basic.pdf Getting Started Guide for Small Basic], p. 64.</ref> The system utilizes the [[Microsoft Visual Studio]] IDE to provide [[IntelliSense|auto-completion]] and [[Tooltip|context-sensitive help]].

* '''[[Basic-256]]''' is an easy-to-use version of BASIC designed to teach anybody the basics of computer programming. It uses traditional BASIC control structures ([[gosub]], [[for loop]]s, [[goto]]) for easy understanding of program flow control. It has a built-in [[graphics]] mode that allows children to draw pictures on the screen after minutes.

* [[Simple Mail Transfer Protocol|'''SiMPLE''']] is a programming development system that was created to provide easy programming abilities for everybody, especially non-professionals. It is somewhat like [[Applesoft BASIC|AppleSoft BASIC]]. It is compiled and lets users make their own libraries of often-used functions. "Simple" is a generic term for three slightly different versions of the language: Micro-SIMPLE (uses only 4 keywords), Pro-SiMPLE, and Ultra-SiMPLE (using 23 keywords).

* [[Hot Soup Processor|'''[[Hot Soup Processor]]''']] is a BASIC-derived language used in Japanese schools.

* '''[[TI-BASIC]]''' is a simple BASIC-like language implemented in [[Texas Instruments]] [[graphing calculator]]s, often serving as a student's first look at programming.

* [[SmallBASIC|'''Small BASIC''']] is a fast and easy-to-learn BASIC language [[Interpreter (computing)|interpreter]] ideal for everyday calculations, scripts and [[prototype]]s. It includes [[Trigonometry|trigonometric]], [[Matrix (mathematics)|matrix]] and [[Algebra|algebra functions]], a built in [[Integrated development environment|IDE]], a powerful string library, system, sound and graphic commands, and a structured programming syntax.

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* '''[[Blockly]]''' is an open-source web-based graphical language where users can drag blocks together to build an application with no typing required. It was developed by [[Google]]. It allows users to convert their Blockly code into other programming languages such as PHP, Python, etc.

* '''[[CiMPLE]]''' was a visual language for programming robotic kit designed for children. It was built on top of [[C (programming language)|C]] as a [[Digital subscriber line|DSL]]. ThinkLabs, an Indian Robotics education-based startup, built it for the iPitara Robotics Kit. The language bore strong resemblance to the C language. At least one school in Bangalore, India bought the iPitara kit and had their students program the robots using CiMPLE.<ref>{{Cite web|last=EducationWorld|date=2012-09-21|title=ThinkLABS RoboLAB|url=https://www.educationworld.in/thinklabs-robolab/|access-date=2024-10-08|website=EducationWorld|language=en-US}}</ref> More information is available at the CiMPLE Original Developers Weblog.<ref>[http://www.uptosomething.in/weblog/?p=531 CiMPLE Original Developers Weblog] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721181639/http://www.uptosomething.in/weblog/?p=531|date=July 21, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2012-09-20|title=ThinkLABS -|url=http://www.thinklabs.in/school/robo-camp.html#tab-3|access-date=2024-10-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120920065922/http://www.thinklabs.in/school/robo-camp.html#tab-3|archive-date=September 20, 2012}}</ref> ThinkLabs eventually switched to using "THiNK VPL" as their visual programming software.

* [[Physical Etoys|'''[[Physical Etoys]]''']] is a free open-source extension of Etoys. Its philosophy is that "it helps children explore their own creativity by combining science and art in an infinite laboratory."<ref>{{Cite web|title=Physical EToys - General description of the project|url=https://tecnodacta.com.ar/gira/projects/physical-etoys/|website=Tecnodata}}</ref> It can run on [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]], [[Linux]] and [[Sugar OS|Sugar]]. Due to its block scripting system, Physical Etoys allows different electronic devices such as [[Lego Mindstorms NXT|Lego NXT]], [[Arduino]] boards, [[Sphero]], [[Kinect]], and [[Wii Remote|Wiimote]] joysticks interact between themselves.

* [[Hackety Hack|'''[[Hackety Hack]]''']] is a free [[Ruby (programming language)|Ruby]]-based environment that aims to make learning [[computer programming|programming]] easy for beginners, especially teenagers.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Hackety Hack|url=https://github.com/hacketyhack|access-date=2024-10-09|website=GitHub|language=en}}</ref>

* [[Karel (programming language)|'''Karel''']], [[Karel++|Karel''++'']], and [[Karel the robot|Karel J. Robot]] are languages aimed at beginners, used to control a simple robot in a city consisting of a rectangular grid of streets. While Karel is its own language, Karel++ is a version of Karel implemented in [[C++]], while Karel J. Robot is a version of Karel implemented in [[Java (programming language)|Java]].

* '''[[Kodu]]''' is a language that is simple and entirely icon based. It was developed by [[Microsoft Research]] as a project to encourage younger children, especially girls, to enjoy technology. Programs are composed of pages, which are divided into rules, which are further divided into conditions and actions. Conditions are evaluated simultaneously. The Kodu language is designed specifically for game development and provides specialized primitives derived from gaming scenarios. Programs are expressed in physical terms, using concepts like vision, hearing, and time to control character behavior. The Kodu tool is available in three forms: [[Personal computer|PC]] as a free download in public beta and academic forms, and as a low-cost [[Xbox 360]] Live download.

* [[Logo (programming language)|'''Logo''']] is an educational language for children designed in 1967 by [[Daniel G. Bobrow]], [[Wally Feurzeig]], [[Seymour Papert]] and [[Cynthia Solomon]]. Today, the language is remembered mainly for its use of "[[turtle graphics]]," in which commands for movement and drawing produce [[turtle graphics|line graphics]] using a small robot called a "[[Turtle (robot)|turtle]]." The language was originally conceived to teach concepts of programming related to [[Lisp (programming language)|Lisp]] and only later to enable what Papert called ''"[[kinesthetic|body-syntonic]] reasoning"'' where students could understand (and predict and reason about) the turtle's motion by imagining what they would do if they were the turtle.<ref>{{Cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gA93QOJp0Rs|title=Logo Programming - Turtle Academy Lesson 1|date=2018-01-23|last=HL ModTech|access-date=2024-10-09|via=YouTube}}</ref>

* [[Lego Mindstorms|'''[[Lego Mindstorms]]''']] is a line of Lego sets combining programmable bricks with electric motors, sensors, Lego bricks, and [[Lego Technic]] pieces (such as gears, axles, and beams). Mindstorms originated from the programmable sensor blocks used in the line of educational toys. The first retail version of Lego Mindstorms was released in 1998 and marketed commercially as the [[Robotics Invention System]] (RIS). The current version was released in 2006 as [[Lego Mindstorms NXT|'''[[Lego Mindstorms NXT]]''']]. A wide [[Lego Mindstorms NXT#Programming|range of programming languages is used]] for the Mindstorms from Logo to BASIC to derivatives of Java, Smalltalk and C. The Mindstorm approach to programming now has dedicated physical sites called [[Computer Clubhouse|'''Computer Clubhouses''']].

* [[Mama (software)|'''Mama''']] is an educational [[object-oriented programming|object oriented]] language designed to help young students start programming by providing all the language elements in the student's language. Mama language is available in several languages, with both LTR and RTL language direction support. A [http://www.eytam.com/mama new variant of Mama] was built atop [[Carnegie Mellon]]'s ''[[Alice (software)|Alice]]'' development environment, supporting scripting of the 3D stage objects. This variant was designed to help young students start programming by building 3D animations and games. A document on educational programming principles explains Mama's design considerations.<ref>[http://en.eytam.com/mama/educational_programming_language Mama educational programming principles]</ref>

* '''[[RoboMind]]''' is a simple educational programming environment that allows beginners to program a robot. It introduces popular programming techniques along with robotics and artificial intelligence. The robot can be programmed in Arabic, Chinese, Dutch, German, English and Swedish.

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* '''[[ScratchJr]]''' is derivative of the Scratch graphical language. It is designed for children with ages around 5-7.

* [[Snap! (programming language)|'''Snap!''']] is a free [[Open-source software|open-source]] blocks-based graphical language implemented in [[JavaScript]] and originally derived from [[MIT]]'s [[Scratch (programming language)|Scratch]]. Snap! adds the ability to create new blocks and has [[first-class functions]] that enables the use of [[anonymous functions]]. It is actively maintained by [[UC Berkeley]]. The [https://github.com/jmoenig/Snap--Build-Your-Own-Blocks source] is entirely hosted on [[GitHub]].

* [[Stagecast Creator|'''[[Stagecast Creator]]''']] is a visual programming system based on [[programming by demonstration]]. Users demonstrate to the system what to do by moving icons on the screen, and it generates rules for the objects (characters). Users can create two-dimensional simulations that model concepts, multi-level games, and interactive stories.

* '''[[Stencyl]]''' is a visual programming and game development IDE that has been used for education and commerce. The concept of ''code blocks'' it implements is based on [[MIT]]'s [[Scratch (programming language)|Scratch]] visual language (listed above). It also permits the use of ''normal'' typed code (separate or intermingled) through its own [[API]] and the [[Haxe]] language.

* '''[[ToonTalk]]''' is a language and environment that looks like a video game. Computational abstractions are mapped to concrete analogs such as robots, houses, trucks, birds, nests, and boxes. It supports big integers and exact rational numbers. It is based upon [[Concurrent constraint logic programming|concurrent constraint programming]].