Hopscotch (programming language)

Hopscotch is a visual programming language developed by Hopscotch Technologies, designed to allow young or beginner programmers to develop simple projects. Its simple UI allows its users to drag and drop blocks to create scripts of which can be played when activated. Although the language is easy to use, to develop more advanced pieces of code is almost impossible and requires more powerful languages. The use of the language is through an iPad or iPhone supporting Hopscotch. ^[1]

Software development

The idea sprang from an already existing programming tool, Scratch, where the user drags blocks into scripts in succession to create a script. This is found much easier by children than typing out the code manually like other programming languages tend to use. Though the developers wanted to take a step back from Scratch and make it slightly easier to grasp the concepts and make hopscotch easier to use, therefore removing many blocks and adding some of their own in hope to make it easier to use.

The most recent version of the application allows users select from different avatars and add shapes, such as squiggles and squares.

Editor

Hopscotch iPhone editor

Hopscotch iPad editor

The Hopscotch app uses a UI very similar to that of Scratch. Use of the editor is simple, all one has to do is open the editor, tap the object and script you wish to edit, open one of the block tabs, and drag out code blocks. Most code blocks can have numeric, text, or math inputs. e.g. the "move" block.

When blocks/inputs

When inputs are the trigger for the script to activate, when a "when" block's input is true (the "when project starts" when block is triggered when one opens the player or taps the refresh button)

list of "when" blocks:

play button is tapped

character is tapped

iPad (iPhone) is tapped

() is tapped

() is pressed

() bumps ()

() is touching ()

iPad (iPhone) is tilted (up, down, left, right)

iPad (iPhone) detects a loud noise

iPad is shaken

() is swiped (up, down, left, right)

() equals ()

() > ()

() < ()

() not equals ()

object is cloned

Code blocks

Code blocks are the actions completed when the blocks are triggered, code blocks fall into 6 categories: abilities, movement, drawing, looks & sounds, values, and control flow. Drag these into and out of the scripts to modify them.

Player

Hopscotch iPad player, playing project

The Hopscotch player activates the blocks in the scripts upon activation of their individual triggers.

References

^[1] 2. Hopscotch app: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/hopscotch-coding-for-kids/id617098629?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4

3. hopscotch website: https://www.gethopscotch.com/

1. ↑ "Hopscotch - Make your own game. Learn to code.". Hopscotch. Retrieved 2016-06-20.