Programming Languages and Scratch

 My experience learning Scratch was initially a struggle. I had no idea where to even start in the beginning. Through experimentation and tutorials on the website, I was able to figure out how to properly organize the coding blocks. It is an interesting way to code, and I think I enjoy it more personally than C#. The program I created in Scratch is a simple one; however, given that I had no prior knowledge of it, I feel proud of the small step I have taken thus far.

            I learned that, even though it may seem like a hard task, through learning and understanding, it can become easier. The process was much easier than I expected, in general. I also learned that the flow of information is easier to understand. The flow is more direct than I had anticipated. Everything I have learned so far suggests that coding is direct and not as chaotic as I thought it would be.

            These languages are interesting. According to TestOut Corp. (2024), “A special type of compiled language is called runtime code or runtime engines, which mix the ideas of compiling and interpreting to get the best of both worlds. Examples are C# (pronounced C-Sharp) and Java.” I have some understanding of C# from my own learning. C# is a compiled language, and it is significantly more challenging for me than Scratch at this point. Python is another language that I attempted to learn at one point, and it is harder for me to learn than Scratch was. Python is considered an Interpreted Language. I know that assembly languages as supposed to be easier to understand than other languages, but I prefer Scratch to using them. The final language was the Query Languages. They are not to bad in general.

            The language that I found easiest to understand was the compiled languages, as I have some experience using one of those languages. However, if I had no prior understanding of these languages, I believe that assembly languages would be easier to understand and learn from scratch.

            According to IMB (2010), “Assembler, COBOL, PL/I, C/C++ are all translated by running the source code through a compiler. This results in very efficient code that can be executed any number of times. The overhead for the translation is incurred just once, when the source is compiled; thereafter, it needs only to be loaded and executed.” This means that the compiled languages can be utilized by the computer faster, allowing for a faster flow of information. This allows languages to be better suited for tasks like video game development. Interpreted must be translated at a slow speed. This makes them more suited for web development. Assembly languages, according to Lenovo (2021), “It is often used in situations where performance is critical, such as embedded systems, device drivers, operating systems, and real-time systems.” Some of the best uses for assembly languages include creating device drivers for devices such as keyboards. The final one is query languages. These languages are best suited for tasks such as integrating search bars into a website.