Visual Programming, how it is useful & what are other options

Ajit kohir
4 min readMar 12, 2021

Block-based programming approach new way to solve complex problems

Pic1: Snap is taken from the live coding section from qwikxr.com

Before understanding visual programming, let’s understand what is programming?

Programming is the process of creating a set of instructions that tell a computer how to perform a task. In a simpler language understand if I am asking my computer to perform a set of commands to follow in a sequence of steps. Now depending upon the platform it could be done in different languages which are understood by my machine/platform. Popular languages in which programming is done are C/C++/Javascript/Python/Dart etc.

Now comes the real question what is visual programming?
Here we see two words “Visual” + “Programming” = Visual Programming, here the user is provided with the construct of visual aided tool for creating the sequence of the program as shown above in Pic 1

Consider from the mentally of kid age 8/9/10/11/12 for them it is really impossible to remember the syntax & semantics of the programming because they are a newbie to this system.

Visual programming solves this problem of young minds and gives them the graphic notation of each programming block, now they don’t have to worry about the semantics or syntax just they need to see the logic and write their coding in the same reference.

QwikXR we solve this problem, by giving the kid’s the drag and drop coding block and giving them full control to create their interactive stories/animation/simulation/quizzes. Now, this practice is not new and been followed by millions of students around the globe namely:

Scratch is the popular framework that gives the idea of what visual coding can give to students. Right now scratch 3.0 is been deployed which leverages the javascript and runs on the web. There are a plethora of examples of how to get started with a scratch with lots’ tutorial.

Source The Scratch Team

2. Coda Kids

CodaKid is an award-winning kid's online coding school that teaches kids how to build professional-grade video games, apps, websites, and more.

Source CodaKid

3. Blockly

Blockly in a browser allows web pages to include a visual code editor for any of Blockly’s five supported programming languages, or your own.

Blockly is…

  • Pure JavaScript library.
  • 100% client-side. No server-side dependencies.
  • Compatible with all major browsers: Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Opera, and IE.
  • Highly customizable and extensible.
Source Google Developers

4. Code.org

Code org with the motive of “Every student in every school should have the opportunity to learn computer science” has remarkably achieved by bringing million of a student on their platform. Their popular concept “Hour of Code” has already become come name in coding and creating solutions around the problem.

Source Code.org

5. QwikXR

QwikXR is an interactive learning platform particularly designed for kids age 8–16 years old. Where kid’s not only code using the visual coding editor but also designed their creation in 3D/AR/VR/MR

You may create your interactive stories, games, simulation & quizzes using qwikXR. The USP of the qwikxr is that it generates the solution in AR/VR/3D including the Mixed reality controller.

Source @avidialabs

In short, coding not only enhance the analytical skill of the kid’s but also grow their logical skills for the problem-solving. “Seeing and believing” is the methodology that commonly prevailed in the education system which creates the opportunity of learning by doing, in the same way visual coding create the sense of excitement and engagement among the kids to solve the complex problem more simply.

Looking forward to the feedback and engagement, and how can kid’s learning be enhanced more, reach me out at my Twitter or Linkedin for same.

Happy Coding!!

--

--