Visual programming languages
With graphical development environments, programmers simply use a mouse to draw a flowchart; then, the development environment translates it into a finished application. Developers do not need to learn cryptic commands, and they neither produce syntax errors nor suffer buffer overflows. Ideally, the development environment will even step through the program, visually emphasizing the currently active component and dramatically facilitating the troubleshooting process.
The first graphical development environments emerged in the 1960s, but only GUI editors or Rapid Development (RAD) tools are in common use. Developers use them to click together user interfaces for their applications (e.g., Glade [1] and Qt Designer [2]); however, in reality, only laboriously typed chunks of code bring the GUI elements to life. Design tools are similarly restricted, especially tools for Unified Modeling Language [3]. Again, they generate a code framework that the programmer fills with content at the keyboard.
If you look hard, you will find a surprisingly large number of visual programming languages (VPLs), for which their inventors usually include a suitable development environment. Often, the development environment is designed with a specific field of application in mind.
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
US / Canada
UK / Australia
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
TrueNAS 25.04 Arrives with Thousands of Changes
One of the most popular Linux-based NAS solutions has rolled out the latest edition, based on Ubuntu 25.04.
-
Fedora 42 Available with Two New Spins
The latest release from the Fedora Project includes the usual updates, a new kernel, an official KDE Plasma spin, and a new System76 spin.
-
So Long, ArcoLinux
The ArcoLinux distribution is the latest Linux distribution to shut down.
-
What Open Source Pros Look for in a Job Role
Learn what professionals in technical and non-technical roles say is most important when seeking a new position.
-
Asahi Linux Runs into Issues with M4 Support
Due to Apple Silicon changes, the Asahi Linux project is at odds with adding support for the M4 chips.
-
Plasma 6.3.4 Now Available
Although not a major release, Plasma 6.3.4 does fix some bugs and offer a subtle change for the Plasma sidebar.
-
Linux Kernel 6.15 First Release Candidate Now Available
Linux Torvalds has announced that the release candidate for the final release of the Linux 6.15 series is now available.
-
Akamai Will Host kernel.org
The organization dedicated to cloud-based solutions has agreed to host kernel.org to deliver long-term stability for the development team.
-
Linux Kernel 6.14 Released
The latest Linux kernel has arrived with extra Rust support and more.
-
EndeavorOS Mercury Neo Available
A new release from the EndeavorOS team ships with Plasma 6.3 and other goodies.