Programming Languages

Scratch is an online teaching tool that uses visualization in the form of “blocks” that help programmers better understand how a code works together to program a system  (Parra-Jiménez, 2021). It’s very user-friendly and ultimately prepares beginner programmers to comprehend how a programming tool or platform works cognitively. When I used Scratch, I found that once I was tutored on how the blocks worked together to create basic games, I could move through the challenge more easily. Scratch includes all human text directions and labels. Some blocks use “if/then” functions that make the code a bit more complex. I could identify what “variables” were by recalling the same function being used in a designing program called Figma. My end program

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was a game that included animation, two subjects (or characters), a backdrop, sound effects, and a scoreboard.

Depending on what you’re attempting to get the code to at a specific point in the code, it could be challenging at times. For example, when you want a certain sound to be made, you have to figure out how to program precisely what you want the game to do when someone loses or when one object appears to touch another. Also, getting your character to move can be tricky if you are attempting to do so with no plan for before and after your character moves or why it’s moving. Developing a game on Scratch seems easier if you approach the code with a plan that describes exactly what you want it to do. This helps to keep a sort of order and organizational direction. At first, it was unclear how to synchronize all the objects and create a fully functioning program. The tutorials made it easier to navigate and understand how to get the blocks to function together. I was able to time out my characters' movements and control them when they performed specific animations and made certain sounds. 

    Python demands that users understand and implement proper syntax and indentation, which adds a layer of difficulty but also makes the language more versatile and suitable for various real-world applications (Zybooks, 2023; Moonpreneur, 2022). From a beginner's viewpoint and lacking experience in coding, Scratch is by far easier to use and is an excellent tool for priming problem-solving habits and thinking patterns that will prepare future programmers for more complex programming languages. Scratch may be ideal for future programmers looking into the gaming field. Python is more suitable for future web developers and AI machine creators. Considering how popular and accessible AI programs have become, Python, built for high-level capabilities, seems to be the most popular—followed by other programs like Javascript and HTML. However, learning more than one programming language may be ideal for someone looking to be successful in the tech field. 

Here is the link to the Scratch code I created: https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/1081809557