So recently, i had a idea called ScratchLib, where you could create custom-block libraries and publish them to the community. Didn't catch on. At all. So, i thought, what about a official extension browser? This topic will tell you more about my idea.

About it
How it would work is you would make a sprite or something with custom blocks inside, that would do a function. You could then publish it as a extension, set a title for it, add a 128x128 picture that would appear next to the extension block like Pen or Text-to-speech, and (optional) the scratch team could review the content, send it off and boom! Now people can search for a tag you picked from a dropdown and find your extension, use the block and say thanks!

Of course, it comes with pros and cons.

PROS

• Much more use for Extensions button
  Users will not have to post for scripts to use or have to look around
  Massive engines like PTE Ultra + will not lag at all
  Extension data can be requested from something like scratch.mit.edu/site-api/extensions/123456
  Can be loaded during normal project loading time
  Custom extension-block colors (e.g You can make the blocks of the extension grey or green when publishing)
  Easy to make and compile
  You could save them to use later
  Saves having to wait forever for backpack to load MASSIVE engine sprites
  Extension blocks are global instead of having to drag in massive custom block definitions
  You can remix extensions and release them (Imagine, Program, Share)
  You could add a feature to make custom C blocks and stump blocks and use them in extensions
  Easy crediting through the ‘Used extensions’ bar
  Maybe add a feature to include custom fonts
  Extension code could be viewed through a new menu named ‘Manage extension code’
  In the extensions browser have multiple tabs, at first, will always display the official extensions, but then a button to visit most-used extensions, and so on
  A search bar
  

CONS

• May overwhelm new scratchers; perhaps limit New Scratchers to the official ones at first.
  Users could send hacked blocks; this is where ST moderation comes in. Before a extension is ‘verified’ by the ST, it is private and is only findable by searching the EXACT name. Rejected submissions would be removed entirely, and the user who published it would have a temporary ban from making extensions.
  

Have any more PROS or CONS? Comment below! Lets all hope this gets added! It would be such an amazing thing to have. Upon new users loving the project, they could see what the creator used and try it for themselves, sparking new possibilities within young people like me, and inspiring them to make much more! I always get deflated when i lose motivation on a project that i want to make. But if this get added, i'm sure a few million people will be happy. For sure. This addition would even entice new people to create their dreams with code!

this seems interesting, but wouldn't it make things way too easy?

CoolLionMan wrote:

this seems interesting, but wouldn't it make things way too easy?

I feel like extensions which are obviously “automatic game creators” wouldn't be accepted, but idk.

CoolLionMan wrote:

this seems interesting, but wouldn't it make things way too easy?

Isn't that all what scratch is about? Making coding easy for kids?
It also lets young people get into coding, and adding this would make it much more easier for the community to help each other out, and make it even easier for younger people. Unless your saying that it should be harder, which i think would make things worse.

CoolLionMan wrote:

this seems interesting, but wouldn't it make things way too easy?

the whole point of scratch is to teach kids to code, and kids want it to be easy, if there is a bump in the road ask the teacher or go on the marketplace. so i don't think so. edit this is basically backpacking and backpacking is easy

this is basically backpacking marketplace i don't see why not so sure (must be free to)

PGBFLITE6373 wrote:

CoolLionMan wrote:

this seems interesting, but wouldn't it make things way too easy?

edit this is basically backpacking and backpacking is easy

Did you read the pros? I can assure you that it would be MUUUUUUUUUUCH better than backpacking thats for sure.

MrProgrammer777 wrote:

PGBFLITE6373 wrote:

CoolLionMan wrote:

this seems interesting, but wouldn't it make things way too easy?

edit this is basically backpacking and backpacking is easy

Did you read the pros? I can assure you that it would be MUUUUUUUUUUCH better than backpacking thats for sure.

yeah i did and i agree but it's basically backing in it purpose

the2000 wrote:

CoolLionMan wrote:

this seems interesting, but wouldn't it make things way too easy?

I feel like extensions which are obviously “automatic game creators” wouldn't be accepted, but idk.

What??? Please explain! I have no idea how it would be classed as that.

MrProgrammer777 wrote:

the2000 wrote:

CoolLionMan wrote:

this seems interesting, but wouldn't it make things way too easy?

I feel like extensions which are obviously “automatic game creators” wouldn't be accepted, but idk.

What??? Please explain! I have no idea how it would be classed as that.

other people make the code for you but if you argue for that point then i have to say something shops

the2000 wrote:

CoolLionMan wrote:

this seems interesting, but wouldn't it make things way too easy?

I feel like extensions which are obviously “automatic game creators” wouldn't be accepted, but idk.

what about the request form, have you been on there? shops shops and shops

Wow! A crystal-clear support from me!
If I want to use PTE', There's so much define block, I just wanna get rid of it!
If I have another custom blocks the PTE blocks would be buried with the other custom blocks.

Mockups:

placeholder

I support this!
Some people might say you can work around this by making projects that have scripts for others to use, but that's not everybody's first thought when they need help, and the Scratch search engine uses tags.

This extention browser would be very helpful for both new and advanced scratchers, but how would it look?
Would people be able to love and favorite custom scripts? Would there be fuzzysearch to look for specific scripts? Would reposting somebody else's custom scripts be bannable? Would it be anonymous? Would the servers handle these?

Bumpybumps

BitTheDrone wrote:

I support this!
Some people might say you can work around this by making projects that have scripts for others to use, but that's not everybody's first thought when they need help, and the Scratch search engine uses tags.

This extention browser would be very helpful for both new and advanced scratchers, but how would it look?
Would people be able to love and favorite custom scripts? Would there be fuzzysearch to look for specific scripts? Would reposting somebody else's custom scripts be bannable? Would it be anonymous? Would the servers handle these?

I reckon:
1 - It would have the same style as the current button menu
2 - Maybe just like projects, you have a preview it fetches information about the extension, displays it with a love button and ‘Add to project’
3 - Yeah! Could do.
4 - I reckon so. Remember, it says in the DMCA that all posted content on Scratch has to follow the rule that credit must be given to the creators of the code. That affects EVERYTHING, so i think it would be the same with extensions.
5 - Not sure about that..
6 - Pretty sure, yes. As i said, only content on the userscreen needs to be displayed, so the information could be loaded in when you request it. Viewing a project that has a user-made extension in it would load it when you see the code being snapped together and it loads the assets and whatnot.

MrProgrammer777 wrote:

the2000 wrote:

CoolLionMan wrote:

this seems interesting, but wouldn't it make things way too easy?

I feel like extensions which are obviously “automatic game creators” wouldn't be accepted, but idk.

What??? Please explain! I have no idea how it would be classed as that.

Bro why are you getting angry at me for defending your suggestion

the2000 wrote:

MrProgrammer777 wrote:

the2000 wrote:

CoolLionMan wrote:

this seems interesting, but wouldn't it make things way too easy?

I feel like extensions which are obviously “automatic game creators” wouldn't be accepted, but idk.

What??? Please explain! I have no idea how it would be classed as that.

Bro why are you getting angry at me for defending your suggestion

Im not, i was wondering why. Please say why you think that.

MrProgrammer777 wrote:

the2000 wrote:

MrProgrammer777 wrote:

What??? Please explain! I have no idea how it would be classed as that.

Bro why are you getting angry at me for defending your suggestion

Im not, i was wondering why. Please say why you think that.

I'm assuming they meant that people would add extensions like “platformer extension,” basically stuff that would create the entire project for you. I was saying that I doubt that those kinds of extensions would be accepted if this system were implemented.

That kind of highlights my feelings on this suggestion though. I don't think there will ever be enough good user-made extensions to warrant an automated system for them. I do think that Scratch Team really should add some of the extensions from DSE, but I couldn't imagine an entire system for this having much use.

So.. basically ScratchX for 3.0 where everyone can contribute?

I could be mistaken, but if you mean making things like the translate or text-to-speech (things you can't accomplish with normal Scratch Blocks), I feel like you'd have to use text code, which might be hard for those who don't know JavaScript/HTML or whatever would be used for that.

But, then again, maybe I'm mistaken.

gosoccerboy5 wrote:

So.. basically ScratchX for 3.0 where everyone can contribute?

Suppose so, yes! Is it just me or does it feel like the extensions button currently is completely useless?