Discuss Scratch
- portalpower
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Scratcher
1000+ posts
change * and / to × or ⋅ and ÷
(() × (0)::operators)the reason we use * and / for multiplication and division is because all the other symbols aren't on the keyboard, but since scratch isn't text based why not add them
(() ⋅ (0)::operators)
(() ÷ (0)::operators)
- RedGuy7
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Scratcher
1000+ posts
change * and / to × or ⋅ and ÷
Support!
Very good points. I don't think the ST will put this as high priority though…
Very good points. I don't think the ST will put this as high priority though…
- fdreerf
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Scratcher
1000+ posts
change * and / to × or ⋅ and ÷
Asterisk and slash are used in every other programming language. For an introductory language, covertly teaching users learning programming for the first time the proper symbols is pretty logical.
- RedGuy7
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Scratcher
1000+ posts
change * and / to × or ⋅ and ÷
Asterisk and slash are used in every other programming language. For an introductory language, covertly teaching users learning programming for the first time the proper symbols is pretty logical.No support as per this.
I changed my mind. This quote, and the fact that this sugguestion has no real value to the coding aspect override your points.
- portalpower
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Scratcher
1000+ posts
change * and / to × or ⋅ and ÷
Asterisk and slash are used in every other programming language. For an introductory language, covertly teaching users learning programming for the first time the proper symbols is pretty logical.it might be easier to understand since kids are more familiar with ×, ⋅, and ÷ and not * and /, also whoever or whatever teaches them to code in a different coding language will probably tell the * and / are multiplication and division and I think they will catch on pretty quick since there aren't any ×, ⋅, ÷ keys to accidentally type
- fdreerf
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Scratcher
1000+ posts
change * and / to × or ⋅ and ÷
it might be easier to understand since kids are more familiar with ×, ⋅, and ÷ and not * and /, also whoever or whatever teaches them to code in a different coding language will probably tell the * and / are multiplication and division and I think they will catch on pretty quick since there aren't any ×, ⋅, ÷ keys to accidentally typeI think it would be pretty hard to derive * from × and / from ÷. If I was using and Scratch and decide to go into any other programming language on my own, I'd probably assume that “x” is for multiplication. Also, the division block also serves as a fraction block, which is made clear as you tend to write fractions as 3/5, for instance. You could also rename the if block to “when” as most children are more familiar with the word when than if, even if they already know what if means, but it'd also deviate from the industry standard.
Last edited by fdreerf (Dec. 17, 2020 01:37:25)
- RedGuy7
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Scratcher
1000+ posts
change * and / to × or ⋅ and ÷
I'm more familiar with / and * actually. When I learned basic math I remember learning about both × and *; / and ÷. [offtopic](I didn't learn about ⋅ tho for so reason)[/offtopic]Asterisk and slash are used in every other programming language. For an introductory language, covertly teaching users learning programming for the first time the proper symbols is pretty logical.it might be easier to understand since kids are more familiar with ×, ⋅, and ÷ and not * and /, also whoever or whatever teaches them to code in a different coding language will probably tell the * and / are multiplication and division and I think they will catch on pretty quick since there aren't any ×, ⋅, ÷ keys to accidentally type
- portalpower
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Scratcher
1000+ posts
change * and / to × or ⋅ and ÷
well then use the dot, also kids learn 1/3 = 1÷3 in schoolI think it would be pretty hard to derive * from × and / from ÷. If I was using and Scratch and decide to go into any other programming language on my own, I'd probably assume that “x” is for multiplication. Also, the division block also serves as a fraction block, which is made clear as you tend to write fractions as 3/5, for instance.Asterisk and slash are used in every other programming language. For an introductory language, covertly teaching users learning programming for the first time the proper symbols is pretty logical.it might be easier to understand since kids are more familiar with ×, ⋅, and ÷ and not * and /, also whoever or whatever teaches them to code in a different coding language will probably tell the * and / are multiplication and division and I think they will catch on pretty quick since there aren't any ×, ⋅, ÷ keys to accidentally type
- fdreerf
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Scratcher
1000+ posts
change * and / to × or ⋅ and ÷
well then use the dot, also kids learn 1/3 = 1÷3 in schoolIt'd be even harder to figure out what the dot even means or what the actual multiplication symbol even is, and I have never once used the division symbol ever in school.
- portalpower
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Scratcher
1000+ posts
change * and / to × or ⋅ and ÷
I learned that in 5th grade *checks what age group scratch is targeted towards* ok screw these 2 × ⋅ *throws in trash*well then use the dot, also kids learn 1/3 = 1÷3 in schoolIt'd be even harder to figure out what the dot even means or what the actual multiplication symbol even is, and I have never once used the division symbol ever in school.
if you didn't use the division sign what did you use
- RedGuy7
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Scratcher
1000+ posts
change * and / to × or ⋅ and ÷
…a slash…I learned that in 5th grade *checks what age group scratch is targeted towards* ok screw these 2 × ⋅ *throws in trash*well then use the dot, also kids learn 1/3 = 1÷3 in schoolIt'd be even harder to figure out what the dot even means or what the actual multiplication symbol even is, and I have never once used the division symbol ever in school.
if you didn't use the division sign what did you use
- gosoccerboy5
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Scratcher
1000+ posts
change * and / to × or ⋅ and ÷
Semi-support. Scratch is for little kids. However that doesn't mean they should be prepared for “grown-up” programming languages. Still, it's an easy fix. But it doesn't seem very important to me either.
I'm kinda conflicted.

I'm kinda conflicted.
SupportWhy do you support

Last edited by gosoccerboy5 (Dec. 17, 2020 02:08:44)
- portalpower
-
Scratcher
1000+ posts
change * and / to × or ⋅ and ÷
Semi-support. Scratch is for little kids. However that doesn't mean they should be prepared for “grown-up” programming languages. Still, it's an easy fix. But it doesn't seem very important to me either.I think scratch is meant to prepare kids for “grown-up” programming languages but it doesn't say that anywhere so just assuming
I'm kinda conflicted.
- gosoccerboy5
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Scratcher
1000+ posts
change * and / to × or ⋅ and ÷
Well, very few people “professionally” do Scratch.. most of the grownups do stuff like Java, Javascript, C, etc.Semi-support. Scratch is for little kids. However that doesn't mean they should be prepared for “grown-up” programming languages. Still, it's an easy fix. But it doesn't seem very important to me either.I think scratch is meant to prepare kids for “grown-up” programming languages but it doesn't say that anywhere so just assuming
I'm kinda conflicted.
[personal note] Scratch has prepared me very well for future programming languages as I learn JS [/personal note]
- ScratchCatHELLO
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Scratcher
1000+ posts
change * and / to × or ⋅ and ÷
* and / are used in most programming languages, and it would make sense for an intro to coding to teach them the right way the first time.
- IndianRuby718
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Scratcher
100+ posts
change * and / to × or ⋅ and ÷
Semi-Support for maybe adding these options in settings.
I used the division sign in elementary school.. not after that though…a slash…if you didn't use the division sign what did you usekids learn 1/3 = 1÷3 in schoolI have never once used the division symbol ever in school.
- Greg8128
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Scratcher
500+ posts
change * and / to × or ⋅ and ÷
* and / are used in other programming languages to represent multiplication and division while x and */. are not. Also nobody uses x and */. in real life either. When I write an equation for my math classes I use a dot similar to * for multiplication and a / for division.
- portalpower
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Scratcher
1000+ posts
change * and / to × or ⋅ and ÷
Semi-Support for maybe adding these options in settings.scratch is for kids ages 8-16, here are what I think would be a good idea to change to-snip-I used the division sign in elementary school.. not after that though
1.÷ reason: no reason not to other than the reasons for all of them
2.× reason: when moving to new programming languages, they might accidentally type x istead of * when they start out
3.⋅ reason: I don't know about you but I learned about ⋅ the same time I learned about * which kinda defeats the purpose, but if you didn't, people are as likely to know * as ⋅
- SquirreIstar
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Scratcher
1000+ posts
change * and / to × or ⋅ and ÷
if you didn't use the division sign what did you useI learnt to use something called the Fraction Bar™️








