A block based editor for Python

Strong, Glenn; O'Carroll, Sean; Bresnihan, Nina

doi:10.1145/3265757.3265788

Cited by 9 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…The environment need not rely on pure text entry, and we anticipate experimenting with the program-entry part of the environment and hope to offer some easier-to-use editing tools in the future. Two options actively being investigated are a block-based Python code editor [21] and a frame-based editor in the style of Stride but targeting Python.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pytch — an environment for bridging block and text programming styles (Work in progress)

Strong

North

2021

The 16th Workshop in Primary and Secondary Computing Education

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Block-based programming languages, and Scratch in particular, are widely used to introduce young learners to programming. As these students progress through their education, they want or need to transition to using text-based systems and encounter a number of challenges as they do so. Issues with syntax, text editing, and memorisation are all significant, but the change of programming paradigm is also a challenge. This paper discusses the design and development of a system to help students make the transition to text-based programming environments more easily.Sprites, animations and sound form the basis of most Scratch programs and these engaging features become unavailable at the same time as students are facing transition difficulties related to text editing and program structure. From programs designed in an actorbased event-driven system with easy concurrency, students have to move to procedural or class-based programs where multimedia features are accessed quite differently and programs are designed around explicit event loops.In this paper we introduce a new programming system, Pytch, which embodies "Scratch-Oriented programming" in Python. Using a web-based environment that requires no local setup, students can build Python programs using the familiar sprites and concurrent event-driven model learned in Scratch. The system offers the programming model inspired by Scratch through a Python library and a runtime augmented with a form of managed concurrency.The motivation and related work are discussed, and the system is presented in its current form. The next stage will be to evaluate the effectiveness of the system with users. CCS CONCEPTS• Social and professional topics → Computing education; • Applied computing → Interactive learning environments.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pytch — an environment for bridging block and text programming styles (Work in progress)

Strong

North

2021

The 16th Workshop in Primary and Secondary Computing Education

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“…B@ase [146] Blockly@rduino Transition from block to text-based environment. PyBlockly [142] Blockly Add a block-based editor for Python. Stride [82] -Add a frame-based editing (blocks and text) to BlueJ.…”

Section: Name Metatool Topicmentioning

confidence: 99%

DRAFT-What you always wanted to know but could not find about block-based environments

Merino,

Vinju,

Brand

2021

Preprint

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Block-based environments are visual programming environments, which are becoming more and more popular because of their ease of use. The ease of use comes thanks to their intuitive graphical representation and structural metaphors (jigsaw-like puzzles) to display valid combinations of language constructs to the users. Part of the current popularity of block-based environments is thanks to Scratch.As a result they are often associated with tools for children or young learners. However, it is unclear how these types of programming environments are developed and used in general. So we conducted a systematic literature review on block-based environments by studying 152 papers published between 2014 and 2020, and a non-systematic tool review of 32 block-based environments. In particular, we provide a helpful inventory of block-based editors for end-users on different topics and domains. Likewise, we focused on identifying the main components of block-based environments, how they are engineered, and how they are used. This survey should be equally helpful for language engineering researchers and language engineers alike. CCS Concepts: • General and reference → Surveys and overviews; • Software and its engineering → Graphical user interface languages; Visual languages; Integrated and visual development environments.

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“…Eleni Seralidou and Christos Douligeris that transition anyway [15]. At the same time, some research has been done for the use of hybrid programming environments that combine block-based with text-based programming techniques.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The feature of providing multiple views of code helped them to feel more comfortable when using the specific programming environment. Strong et al [15] introduced the use of pyBlockly, a programming tool that allows users to continue to use the block-based editing style while they become familiar with the syntax and semantics of a traditional programming language. The tool allows learners to construct programs in the Python syntax, targeting the familiar Turtle Graphics microworld.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigating the Transition from Block-based to Text-based Programming Techniques in Secondary Education in Greece

Seralidou

Douligeris

2022

EJENG

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Nowadays computer programming is an essential skill that has grown in popularity in secondary education. In its block-based form, it is used to familiarize students with the basic concepts of programming before the students move on to text-based programming languages. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the transition from blocked-based to text-based programming techniques in secondary education. More specifically, four educational programming activities, which exploit the use of a block-based programming environment, were implemented in two classes of third grade Gymnasium students in Greece during the course of Informatics. The same educational activities were implemented again in the same classes with the use of a transitional block-to-text based programming environment aiming at normalizing the transition from block-based to text-based programming techniques. The implementation findings indicate a very positive feedback from the students’ side in understanding the association between block and text commands.

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A block based editor for Python

Cited by 9 publications

References 5 publications

Pytch — an environment for bridging block and text programming styles (Work in progress)

Pytch — an environment for bridging block and text programming styles (Work in progress)

DRAFT-What you always wanted to know but could not find about block-based environments

Investigating the Transition from Block-based to Text-based Programming Techniques in Secondary Education in Greece

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