Hello,

I am relatively new to Scratch, but am really enjoying it. Thinking about the future, what do you think would be the better program to transfer what I learn in Scratch to an App for Android: MiT App Inventor or Pocketcode? Eventually, I would like to get my students(4th-8th graders) making apps.

What are your experiences with the programs? They both sound promising, but I don't necessarily have time to preview both. I would like to get my students rolling in one sooner than later.

Thanks,
~Kyle

For making apps, I think App Inventor would be better. You'll be able to do more with App Inventor, although it will be more complicated.

Pocket Code would be better for making games, and some simple apps, but it's still a bit limited right now. Currently, you can only run your Pocket Code apps in Pocket Code, but they are working on packaging your apps as an apk.

If these students are new to, or have little to no programming experience, I think Pocket Code would be better. It will give you a ‘Scratch like’ environment that's easy for beginners to learn. App Inventor, on the other hand, has a bit of a learning curve.

Okay, thanks! This is exactly the input what I was looking for. I am very new to coding (programming?) and have only done various programs with this “block” architecture.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems like the easier the program is to pick up, the less it can do. With a higher complexity comes more options, but, well, more complexity.

I'll look into Pocketcode. I guess the only downside is that students will need an android phone/tablet since you can't program something on a computer and transfer it over (unless I am mistaken).

You mention that Pocketcode is easier for games; this doesn't mean that App Inventor is not capable of making games, correct? Would you say it's about on par for ease with Scratch? I'm anticipating most students wanting to make games rather than apps.

Thanks again.
~Kyle

Yes, Pocket Code will do less than App Inventor, partly because it's still in early stages, and partly to keep it simple. As far as I know, you can't use Pocket Code on a computer. You may be able to set up an Android emulator on a computer and run it from there, but that would only further limit Pocket Code.

Yes, App Inventor can make games. You can actually find some, along with other apps, here. I haven't made games with App Inventor, but I have used it enough to know that it will be a good bit harder to make games with App Inventor than with Pocket Code. You can, however, make more complex games with App Inventor.

I do think Pocket Code is easy, but it won't be as easy to make games in Pocket Code as it is in Scratch. As far as game making goes, it's missing collision blocks. Currently, you have to check the ‘x’ and ‘y’ positions of the objects you want to collide. On the bright side, the Pocket Code team is working on implementing collision blocks, as well as physics engine blocks.

As far as animations and simple apps go, I think Pocket Code is great.

Pocket Code also has their own place where you can download other people's projects, so you might look at that. You can also download projects as a standalone apk, but after installing them, they would only force close one me.

Hmmm.

The lack of collision block makes me lean toward App Inventor. I'll give that a try first.

Thanks, Cobra.

Good luck with everything!