Programming Language

       

        Being able to explore the logic of computational thinking using the simple drag and drop 

block programming language called Scratch was a great adjustment to what was expected. 

Before utilizing this program there was the impression of having to write out the codes needed to

 perform certain actions. Honestly, that was a bit fearful. Fearful because this is all new territory 

being traversed.  The simple block style drag and drop method utilized by Scratch allowed me to

 see how each piece plays a specific part in bringing the animation to life. This program language 

seems to be simpler in usage over the over languages such as assembly, python or C++. While 

being simplistic in style, admittedly the struggle to understand how it all worked together was 

real. But after practice and reliance upon information in the resources made available in class, 

understanding began to take place.

         This exercise provided two main insights into programming. One the shapes and color 

coding allowed for ease of identification and placement in the flowchart. Second, this exercise is 

set up to easily locate errors that may potentially cause the program to not work properly. 

Scratch is perfectly set up to understand, identify, and even modify code for a successful 

programming initiative with simple and straightforward languages. 

        In comparison with other programming languages such as Python and its syntax, which 

uses a set of rules differently than that of Scratch. Python is an interpreted programming 

language. This means it runs the instructions given in the source code whenever the application 

is run and is a bit slower than compiled ones. The exercise in the text showed how this 

language is inputted and what the outcome should be. Similar exercises were provided for other 

programming languages such as compiled, assembly and query. Scratch programming is higher

level programming language that utilizes the visual programming of colorful drag and drop 

blocks to create scripts. This type of coding adds a little more excitement in comparison to the 

standard typed out code structures used by languages such as Python. For this reason, I found 

this language easiest to use. 

        While using Scratch is effective for simple event driven low level tasks such as teaching 

elementary students the basics of programming and fostering creativity in the process, it can be 

difficult when handling more complex tasks. I don’t believe this programming language would 

be most effective in web development. That would be a scenario where an interpretive 

programming language such as Python would be needed. Another scenario that Scratch would be

 less useful is in Cybersecurity. The language that is normally useful to most professionals in this 

career is assembly language for tasks such as analyzing malware or reverse engineering. Other 

areas where another language is useful over Scratch are seen when data needs to be extracted or 

sorted from large databases. Query languages will make these tasks easier.  A compiled 

programming language would be most useful when building computer operating systems such as

 Windows or Linux. For what is needed in the basics of understanding programming and how 

code structure works, Scratch is a great program to use. The following link is the Scratch project 

being utilized for this course: https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/1183490311.