Scratch was originally designed for young children, but since has gained a following of mostly 12 to 13 year old young adults that push the language to its limits with things like remakes of massive games, 3D engines, and PTEs. This shows how the language is easy to use, and can create anything a more legitimate language, like C++, Java, and Python can, if not more. With basic programming functions like if statements, variables, and mathematical functions, as well as blocks that make programming much easier, with a few changes scratch could become a legitimate language for creating real software and games.

I would recommend creating an advanced version of scratch with features like control over loading of image and audio files and the ability to connect scratch programs to to other servers. If scratch could be used for real programming, coding would be much more accessible and much much faster.

i support this, i have always wanted to make a project that displays the weather or something like that

No support for an advanced version due to the fact that Scratch is for beginners but I agree what Scratch should also have text coding for those who want different experiences.

Pandadude12321 wrote:

If scratch could be used for real programming, coding would be much more accessible and much much faster.

Not really. At that point it wouldn't really be scratch anymore. Also, block-based programming is really slow.

-stache- wrote:

Pandadude12321 wrote:

If scratch could be used for real programming, coding would be much more accessible and much much faster.

Not really. At that point it wouldn't really be scratch anymore. Also, block-based programming is really slow.

How would it not be scratch anymore. Also, in most languages typing things like if statements takes longer than simply dragging a block , plus scratch is much easier to learn.

Charles12310 wrote:

No support for an advanced version due to the fact that Scratch is for beginners but I agree what Scratch should also have text coding for those who want different experiences.

Yes, scratch is for beginners, but anything you can make in other languages can be made faster and easier on scratch. Which is why i think they should have a slightly different version for developers.

I support adding some more advanced features (like the “import” function in python). I also want more pointless ‘Easter eggs’.

Isn't scratch Python anyway?

I_Rant_About wrote:

Isn't scratch Python anyway?

Scratch.mit.edu is but *scratch* is not. The scratch client is action script, soon to be html5.


Anyways, if you want a *real* programing language get into HTML (I know, I know, technically not a real language…), JS, and CSS

no support. the idea of scratch is that it's meant to be a beginner programming language (for all ages), and making an advanced version would kind of defeat the point of that.

Gobblesmack wrote:

no support. the idea of scratch is that it's meant to be a beginner programming language (for all ages), and making an advanced version would kind of defeat the point of that.

I agree but what about text coding?

Scratch is made for beginners, people who have just begun coding. If you're able to easily code complex games with code blocks, then you can go to a different programming language on a different website. Not much support.

Scratch is meant for beginners/the young to learn programming at their own pace and with easy notation, and thus prepare them for more advanced languages. Making scratch more advanced would confuse the majority of people, since programming vocabulary is rather complex. If you would like to start off with an intermediate/advanced language, your best bet is to move on to some other language like JavaScript.

tl;dr: no support, scratch was never made to be a “legitimate” programming language

Support - these extra features could always be additional and not shoved in the face of new Scratchers, so it wouldn't be confusing.

As an extension, these things could be pretty cool: a great way to get people into more advanced coding (sorta like Snap).
I would also like an option for text coding, sorta like how you can type stuff in the scratchblocks plugin on the forum (again… sorta like Snap…).

Charles12310 wrote:

Gobblesmack wrote:

no support. the idea of scratch is that it's meant to be a beginner programming language (for all ages), and making an advanced version would kind of defeat the point of that.

I agree but what about text coding?

text coding would be nice, i actually like text coding as an idea

Why should Scratch get all complicated? Scratch is meant for beginning coders. If you want complicated, use Java Script, no support

I-Iz-A-Litten wrote:

Why should Scratch get all complicated? Scratch is meant for beginning coders. If you want complicated, use Java Script, no support

Actually, don't. Javascript is too much of a mess.

Scratch's wikipedia page has a lot of stuff about how it's a “children's programming language” and not a “programming language accessible for beginners”.

Scratch is in fact a legitimate programming language, as it is Turing complete, which determines if a programming language is actually programming or not. Scratch just has a different way of inputting code.