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Introduction To Scratch Programming

Scratch is a visual programming language developed by MIT to help users create interactive stories, games, and animations. In Scratch, programs are created by dragging and dropping blocks together without any text-based coding. It is free to use and has been translated into over 70 languages. The four main elements in Scratch are the programming palette, stage area, sprites, and scripts. Sprites are programmed using blocks from the palette to perform actions on the stage.

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500 views

Introduction To Scratch Programming

Scratch is a visual programming language developed by MIT to help users create interactive stories, games, and animations. In Scratch, programs are created by dragging and dropping blocks together without any text-based coding. It is free to use and has been translated into over 70 languages. The four main elements in Scratch are the programming palette, stage area, sprites, and scripts. Sprites are programmed using blocks from the palette to perform actions on the stage.

Uploaded by

odhiambojoseph281
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Introduction to Scratch Programming

Scratch is an event-driven visual programming language developed by MIT.


In Scratch, we can create our own interactive stories, games, and animations using
building blocks.
In this scratch, we do not need to write code to perform operations, things are done
just by drag and drop, just like visual basic. It is the best platform to start basic
programming by creating attractive animation effects. There are so many features
available in Scratch, such as video games, animations, stories, sound, events, etc. It is
a free platform created by the Lifelong Kindergarten group at MIT in the Media lab.
It is developed in ActionScript and JavaScript and is compatible with any operating
system. It has been translated into more than 70 languages and used in most parts
of the world.
Uses of Scratch:
1. Scratch is made to learn basics programming concepts with fun.
2. It is a tool for creating interesting games, stories, and more block-based
programming.
3. It has its own paint editor and sound builder.
4. Anyone can start learning programming from Scratch even they do not have
previous knowledge about programming languages and programming
concepts.

Elements of Scratch

There are the following four main elements of Scratch and they are:
1. Programming Palette
2. Stage Area
3. Sprites
4. Script
Programming Palette / block palette
It contains all the essential tools which are required to program a sprite to do or say
something. Every element of a program, such as a loop, condition available in the
programming palette.
Blocks
It contains puzzle-piece shapes that are used to create code in Scratch. These blocks
are connected to each other vertically like puzzle pieces. Every block has its own
shape that prevents syntax errors. Once these blocks are connected, they are called
scripts. These are the following six different shapes available in Scratch: Hat, Stack,
Boolean, Reporter, C, and Cap.
Stage Area
This is a place where everything takes place, such as animations, turtle graphics
either in a small or normal size, with a full-screen option also available. It uses X and
Y coordinates to monitor action with 0, 0 being the stage center. All the action by a
sprite is performed here.
Sprites
These are the main characters of the program. It is a graphical element that is
programmed using a programming palette. All the action is performed on the
sprites. By default, with a cat avatar display on the sprite panel, users can also draw
their own sprite.
Script
In the script, everything defines what kind of operation should be done by sprites. It
tells the characters what to do or say. Every single sprite is programmed with a
script.

How to download Scratch in your system?

To download Scratch in your system follow the following steps.


Step 1: Open this link scratch.mit.edu/ in your browser and select your operating
system. In this example, we will download Scratch in Windows 10.
Note: Offline Scratch application available in Windows, macOS, Android, and
Chrome OS.
Step 2: After the selection of the operating system scroll down and select a
downloading option. It is also available on Microsoft Store. Select direct download
and downloading will be started.

Step 3: Once downloading will be done double click on the downloaded executable
file (.exe) as shown in the image below, double-click.
Once the installation process is done search scratch in your application list and
opens it.

How to create a program in scratch?

Step 1: Open scratch editor.


Step 2: Drag the “when green flag clicked” or “when space key pressed”, or “when
sprite I click” block from the events block to the script because every scratch
program starts with a control block.
Here,
•when green flag clicked: It means the project begins when the green
flag(present at the upper left corner of the stage) is clicked.
• when space key pressed: It means the project begins when the space bar
is clicked. Here, you can also change the key according to your
requirement.
• when sprite I click: It means the project will begin when you click the
sprite.
Step 3: Drag “start sound meow” block from the sound block and place it below the
“when green flag clicked” block. This block is responsible for generating a meowing
sound.
Step 4: Drag “move 10 steps” block from the motion block and place it below the
“start sound meow” block. Now change the number from 10 to 100.

Step 3: After completion of script, click on the green flag execution button to
execute your program, and your cat moves 100 steps with a meow sound.
Advantages of scratch

• The interface design of scratch is simple so that it is easier to understand


for kids as well as for adults.
• It allows students to develop 21st-century skills with the help of
technology.
• It is generally designed for kids. So that they can easily learn a new
computer language.
• It is free to use.

Disadvantages of scratch

• Scratch is open so anybody on the internet can get your work without
your permission.
• Teachers can not monitor what student is creating in the scratch.

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