Arrays have square brackets and start at 0, no GOTOs, blocks end with “end” or with a dot. Variables are integers by default. Functions work differently …
There is the Python-like “for range”, which fits better to 0-based arrays. The syntax is generally shorter.
Nice work! The drawing tools are a lot of fun. One of the neat things about BASIC in the 1980s is that it was integrated into other topics. For example, many primary school math textbooks included optional BASIC snippets. I wonder if you might reach out to teacherse or find some existing curriculum that could be augmented with example programs in easylang.
I wanted to learn about the language itself, raisons d’etre, etc. However, after like 7+ clicks, I couldn’t find anything longer than 1 or 2 sentences. Is there a URL you could share?
I wanted something that would be as simple and uncomplicated as the BASIC on home computers used to be. And for what you don’t need extensive documentation, just switch it on and get started.
The language itself is written in C and runs in the browser via WebAssembly. The graphic interface and the IDE is of course JavaScript.
I wanted something that would be as simple and uncomplicated as the BASIC on home computers used to be. And for what you don’t need extensive documentation, just switch it on and get started.
Except that actually DOING that was a nightmare and people gobbled up any documentation they could find at the time and had to learn the languages in question from reading magazines like Creative Computing and the like.
Again your bat and ball but this is not an aspect of the early micro experience I would personally choose to emulate.
Can you help me understand why you felt creating a language that’s not quite entirely like but measurably different from every existing programming language was a desirable thing to use as a teaching tool?
Why not just use an existing language so folks could transfer the skills verbatim and not have to learn yet more confusing syntax?
The question is what existing language? Maybe Python, which is pretty much different from other languages in all respects? The point is, you learn programming and programming concepts and not a programming language. The chance that you will later use the programming language in the job that you have learned is low anyway. I learned programming with BASIC, Pascal and PL1.
Not the author, but: It looks like a personal project, for fun. I’d like to do similarly myself - but I wouldn’t enjoy enhancing some other, similar, project, quite so much.
There is a lot more energy required, and smaller sized rewards, in helping with larger, more complex projects where there is already a lot built.
I don’t like the name. How about “Beginner’s All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code”?
This language is similar to BASIC and has many features of it, but also many differences. And I like BASIC.
Please, elaborate on the differences.
Arrays have square brackets and start at 0, no GOTOs, blocks end with “end” or with a dot. Variables are integers by default. Functions work differently …
There is the Python-like “for range”, which fits better to 0-based arrays. The syntax is generally shorter.
Clearly since you don’t like the name the author should change it!
Clearly convincing the author to change the name wasn’t my intention. Maybe you didn’t get it, the OP did.
Nice work! The drawing tools are a lot of fun. One of the neat things about BASIC in the 1980s is that it was integrated into other topics. For example, many primary school math textbooks included optional BASIC snippets. I wonder if you might reach out to teacherse or find some existing curriculum that could be augmented with example programs in easylang.
Yes, that would be helpful for understanding mathematics or physics. For example, you can explain the accelerated movement with a bouncing ball.
Anyone can use easylang.online for whatever. It can be used and copied for free.
for some reason it kind of reminded me of LOGO
also, a very cool light theme!
I wanted to learn about the language itself, raisons d’etre, etc. However, after like 7+ clicks, I couldn’t find anything longer than 1 or 2 sentences. Is there a URL you could share?
I wanted something that would be as simple and uncomplicated as the BASIC on home computers used to be. And for what you don’t need extensive documentation, just switch it on and get started.
The language itself is written in C and runs in the browser via WebAssembly. The graphic interface and the IDE is of course JavaScript.
https://easylang.online/
https://easylang.online/apps/easylang.html
The example programs in the tutorials are the documentation.
Except that actually DOING that was a nightmare and people gobbled up any documentation they could find at the time and had to learn the languages in question from reading magazines like Creative Computing and the like.
Again your bat and ball but this is not an aspect of the early micro experience I would personally choose to emulate.
I am not smart.
(this is really cool!)
Can you give a compare and contrast with Pyret? I fancy that one for teaching and have had good experiences with it.
A good introductory language makes good compromises … between simplicity and feature-richness. (pyret.org)
I don’t know Pyret, but it looks more feature-rich.
Can you help me understand why you felt creating a language that’s not quite entirely like but measurably different from every existing programming language was a desirable thing to use as a teaching tool?
Why not just use an existing language so folks could transfer the skills verbatim and not have to learn yet more confusing syntax?
The question is what existing language? Maybe Python, which is pretty much different from other languages in all respects? The point is, you learn programming and programming concepts and not a programming language. The chance that you will later use the programming language in the job that you have learned is low anyway. I learned programming with BASIC, Pascal and PL1.
I disagree. Plenty of people have learned to program with Python and then gotten a job programming in it. Same with Ruby etc.
Anyway, it’s your bat and ball so you can do whatever you want, I was just trying to understand the logic.
Not the author, but: It looks like a personal project, for fun. I’d like to do similarly myself - but I wouldn’t enjoy enhancing some other, similar, project, quite so much.
There is a lot more energy required, and smaller sized rewards, in helping with larger, more complex projects where there is already a lot built.
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By whom?
It doesn’t have that.
Is the compiler open source? I don’t find any links to source code on the website or about page.
Not yet - I intend it if it reaches a certain spread - I do not want someone to change that a little and then claim it as his work.