Visual programming languages
Conclusions
Thus far, graphical programming languages have only very restricted functionality. Like in a Lego set, they have fixed, predetermined parts with limited roles. Consequently, the tools and their languages are only suitable for very specific applications.
Etoys and Alice facilitate entry into (3D) programming, whereas Blockly serves as a macro language for your own web apps. The data flow diagrams from Tersus are useful if the web application you want to create primarily processes data – such as managing addresses or processing signals and images.
The limits of graphical programming languages are clearly shown by Lava: Although the language is flexible and powerful on a level similar to Java, developers are forced tediously to point and click to compose instructions. Drakon shows that not everything advertised as a visual programming language actually needs to be one.
Aside from Drakon and the interpreted Lava, the development environments do not produce finished programs. If you want to launch a game you have programmed in Alice, you need to register to download the development environment. Right now, visual programming languages might successfully occupy a niche, but developers can expect a long wait for their big break.
Infos
- Glade: https://glade.gnome.org
- Qt Designer: http://qt-project.org/doc/qt-5/qtdesigner-manual.html
- UML: http://www.omg.org/spec/UML/
- Etoys: http://www.squeakland.org
- Scratch: http://scratch.mit.edu
- Snap: http://snap.berkeley.edu
- Alice: http://www.alice.org
- Alice EULA: http://alice3.pbworks.com/w/page/28830524/Alice%203EULA
- Blockly: https://code.google.com/p/blockly/
- Drakon: http://drakon-editor.sourceforge.net
- Tersus: http://www.tersus.com
- GNU Radion Companion: http://gnuradio.org/redmine/projects/gnuradio/wiki/GNURadioCompanion
- Pure Data: http://puredata.info
- Blender: http://www.blender.org
- Lava PE: http://lavape.sourceforge.net
- Fraunhofer Institute: http://www.fraunhofer.de/en.html
- Lava PE documentation: http://lavape.sourceforge.net/doc/index.htm
« Previous 1 2 3
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
-
AlmaLinux Unveils New Hardware Certification Process
The AlmaLinux Hardware Certification Program run by the Certification Special Interest Group (SIG) aims to ensure seamless compatibility between AlmaLinux and a wide range of hardware configurations.
-
Wind River Introduces eLxr Pro Linux Solution
eLxr Pro offers an end-to-end Linux solution backed by expert commercial support.
-
Juno Tab 3 Launches with Ubuntu 24.04
Anyone looking for a full-blown Linux tablet need look no further. Juno has released the Tab 3.
-
New KDE Slimbook Plasma Available for Preorder
Powered by an AMD Ryzen CPU, the latest KDE Slimbook laptop is powerful enough for local AI tasks.
-
Rhino Linux Announces Latest "Quick Update"
If you prefer your Linux distribution to be of the rolling type, Rhino Linux delivers a beautiful and reliable experience.
-
Plasma Desktop Will Soon Ask for Donations
The next iteration of Plasma has reached the soft feature freeze for the 6.2 version and includes a feature that could be divisive.
-
Linux Market Share Hits New High
For the first time, the Linux market share has reached a new high for desktops, and the trend looks like it will continue.
-
LibreOffice 24.8 Delivers New Features
LibreOffice is often considered the de facto standard office suite for the Linux operating system.
-
Deepin 23 Offers Wayland Support and New AI Tool
Deepin has been considered one of the most beautiful desktop operating systems for a long time and the arrival of version 23 has bolstered that reputation.
-
CachyOS Adds Support for System76's COSMIC Desktop
The August 2024 release of CachyOS includes support for the COSMIC desktop as well as some important bits for video.