Programming Languages

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Programming languages allows us to communicate with computers effectively. This blog will reflect on my experience using Scratch, which is a simple drag-and-drop, block programming language, while also comparing it to the participation activities from Sections 2.8 through 2.11 of the textbook, exploring machine language assembly language, and high-level languages such as Python. I will discuss the challenges I faced, how I solved them, and which language I found easiest to use.

My Experience with Scratch

Using Scratch was a fun and interactive experience. It's drag-and-drop blocks made programming easy because I didn't have to worry about inputting codes or variables. For my Scratch project, I created an animation where four animals were racing each other through an endless loop as they were talking. I was able to make a bird and cat look like they were flying, while making a rabbit and bear walk. I used over 30 blocks, including motion, looks, and control options.

Challenges and How I Overcame Them

One challenge I faced was making the animal's movements look natural. At first, the transitions of the "next costume" were too abrupt. I solved this by adjusting the timing and adding a half second pause to make the transitions look smoother and more natural looking. Another challenge was getting multiple animals to interact. Unfortunately, I was unable to figure out how to make the dialogue come out after the animals were moving.

Insights About Programming

This exercise taught me the basics of programming logic, including sequencing and loops. I also learned that testing through trial and error is an essential part of programming. Scratch is way easier to use, but it follows the same principles as other coding languages.

Comparing Scratch With Other Programming Languages

In the textbook activities, I explored "machine language" which uses only 0's and 1's, and made it difficult to read and write. The second program was "assembly language" which is similar to machine language, but uses human understandable codes, such as input and output, but is still complex to understand. The third program, "high-level language," such as Python, enabled greater programmer productivity, automatically converting assembly and machine language before being ran, making it easier to use. Scratch is different because it is just visual cues that does not require typing code. However, Python is more likely the best choice for real-world applications since it simple and powerful.

Scenario Based Programming and Most Popular Language

A scenario where machine language would be used is developing low-level software for direct hardware control. A scenario for assembly language would be most effective is in embedded systems and performance-critical tasks. Python would be best used in web development such as reddit. Scratch would be best for those who are in the beginning stages of learning programming concepts. I believe Python is the most popular language because it is easier to learn and is used is many fields, including web development, artificial intelligence, and data science. 

Working with Scratch helped me understand programming concepts in a simple way. Comparing Scratch to machine, assembly, and high-level languages showed that they all have their purpose. Python is the best option for beginners and professionals who want to get in the field of programming.

Down below is my link to my Scratch Program:

Https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/1135916547/editor

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