Google has released a new version of its open source library Blockly. The update brings code generation in new programming languages to enhance block-based coding experience among Android and iOS app developers.
Dubbed Blockly 1.0, the latest version comes with a custom visual set of interlocking blocks and includes customisable toolbox categories and layouts. Users can drag and drop the blocks to output in the language of your choice.
On the code generation front, the Blockly 1.0 build is designed to support JavaScript, Python, Dart, PHP and Lua. The new update also defines all the blocks in Blockly 1.0 using JSON.
The new version supports with functions, mutators, variables and extensions. Also, its Android variant includes views and fragments for Android in the Blockly editor.
Improvements on board
Additionally, Google has developed several improvements in the latest Blockly. Touch support for the mobile Web version has been improved and APIs have received structured upgrades. Moreover, there are enhancements for Microsoft Edge and is fully supported on Internet Explorer 10.
Blockly was originally announced by Google five years ago. A number of companies including Code.org and LittleBits have used its presence to build their new projects.
You can utilise Blockly to create your own visual block coding experience. The new version is available on GitHub to give you a full view of its code.
[…] Source:https://www.opensourceforu.com/2017/06/google-blockly-1-0-block-based-coding/ […]
Wouldn’t be shocked to see block programming take off. It’s popular already in robotics (for example Lego Mindstorms) and non-programmers seem to have an easier time reading blocks. Even the Swift Playgrounds educational app on iOS has a hint of code blocks.