It's sad that these "get everyone and their dog into 'coding'" initiatives by large companies are just attempts to provide cheap workers for themselves in the future. There's so many of them, and yet there's no evidence that they help anyone other than the company's PR team in generating exposure and promoting their products.
Microsoft MakeCode
41–50 of 94 posts
Re: Microsoft MakeCode
#42Earlier quoted context omitted.
[citation needed], as the very next paragraph of GP's asks: > Has anyone actually made a complex project with these initiatives, and had it spark an interest in computing/electronics that didn't already exist? Have they managed to make the jump from visual interfaces to lines-of-code? Is there any evidence that these programs REALLY help when it comes to engaging a wider group of people? -- Personally, I'm not sure i…
Except there are html, css, javascript. Everyone already uses a browser so nothing to set up. Just code and open it in your browser.
> Except there are html, css, javascript. Everyone already uses a browser so nothing to set up.
You haven't seen the current JS ecosystem, have you?
Now if you opt to ignore the entire modern JS scene - all that Babel, Webpack, NPM stuff - and just write plain old JS in a text editor to execute directly, then yes. And with browser dev tools having a half-decent REPL, I'd say this is a pretty good way to introduce someone to programming. Browsers have powerful features for UI and graphics built in, so even the "hello world" programs won't be boring.
(Also: technically, there is something to set up; you won't be able to run everything through file:// because $security, so you need a minimal local HTTP server to serve your files for you.)
Re: Microsoft MakeCode
#43Cool! It just reminded me that yesterday I have stumbled upon a 'visual programming' environment built on Haskell: http://www.luna-lang.org/
Haven't had time to play with it yet.
Re: Microsoft MakeCode
#44I didn't take a deep look, but it reminds me to Bret Victor's proposal on "Inventing on Principle" from 2012:
Re: Microsoft MakeCode
#45It's sad that these "get everyone and their dog into 'coding'" initiatives by large companies are just attempts to provide cheap workers for themselves in the future. There's so many of them, and yet there's no evidence that they help anyone other than the company's PR team in generating exposure and promoting their products.
This isn't the only reason.
It's obvious that coding is becoming a skill on par with math for its utility in the modern world.
If more people understand the fundamentals of coding, it will completely change the user interfaces and sophistication of applications in the future. People will be able to code up simple features and behaviours they need, for example.
Re: Microsoft MakeCode
#46It's sad that these "get everyone and their dog into 'coding'" initiatives by large companies are just attempts to provide cheap workers for themselves in the future. There's so many of them, and yet there's no evidence that they help anyone other than the company's PR team in generating exposure and promoting their products.
it does help unemployed people
Re: Microsoft MakeCode
#47Earlier quoted context omitted.
MakeCode works with Minecraft Windows 10 as well. Please see the setup instructions here: https://minecraft.makecode.com/setup
I assume there's a technical reason that a normal Minecraft account/client can't be used? Ideally, I'd be able to get a free transferable license from the Microsoft store for already owning the game. (lol, I know..) *edit: I shouldn't be so cynical; and am gobsmacked - there is a free version available for existing owners. Nice job Microsoft! (Login to Mojang account to claim the copy.)
"there is a free version available for existing owners"
I was also pleasantly surpise and with this I actually have a reason to use it. My 6y old has tinkered with the tutorial in Scratch and plays Minecraft like a mad man so this is a match made in heaven.
Almost makes up for having to buy it one more time on the Switch.
Re: Microsoft MakeCode
#48This is great to introduce programming to my daughter. Switching between blocks and actual code helps.
Re: Microsoft MakeCode
#49Looks very attractive.
Re: Microsoft MakeCode
#50This is great to introduce programming to my daughter. Switching between blocks and actual code helps.
What age are you starting this with?