I realize that part of Scratch's purpose is to use blocks to learn how to code, but when projects get script-heavy with a lot of sprites and assets, it gets super hard to navigate the workspace and edit complicated code without accidentally messing things up.

It also makes it harder for other Scratchers to view other people's complex projects, because they don't know where this function or that piece of code is located.

Yes, anyone who wanted something text-based could just learn a new programming language, but then why do all those amazing Scratchers who make complicated projects still even bother to go on this site?
- First, the community (of people who are the same age and have similar interests)
- The simple commands
- The feedback (comments)
- Inspiration from other projects (remixing)
All of these are things that a normal text-based programming language doesn't have.

Therefore, I believe that Scratch should introduce a strictly OPTIONAL text version of code. (Meaning that it will still be largely focused on the blocks).

What do you think? Give me feedback.

Supporters:
@moshe2

Are you trying to say give it as an option, or only text-based code?

KidoftheEnder45 wrote:

Are you trying to say give it as an option, or only text-based code?

As an option.

A text based Scratch already exists, but it's unofficial. It should still satisfy your needs, though.

Sheep_maker wrote:

A text based Scratch already exists, but it's unofficial. It should still satisfy your needs, though.

That's nice,but I think if scratch were to model their text editor as that, they would need to make it a little easier. For example, actual sprites instead of turtles and easier code managing.

pixelmaniacknowitall wrote:

Sheep_maker wrote:

A text based Scratch already exists, but it's unofficial. It should still satisfy your needs, though.

That's nice,but I think if scratch were to model their text editor as that, they would need to make it a little easier. For example, actual sprites instead of turtles and easier code managing.

I agree with @pixelmaniacknowitall . Who made the unofficial turtle version you mentioned, @Sheep_maker ?

Honeybee_ wrote:

pixelmaniacknowitall wrote:

Sheep_maker wrote:

A text based Scratch already exists, but it's unofficial. It should still satisfy your needs, though.

That's nice,but I think if scratch were to model their text editor as that, they would need to make it a little easier. For example, actual sprites instead of turtles and easier code managing.

I agree with @pixelmaniacknowitall . Who made the unofficial turtle version you mentioned, @Sheep_maker ?

blob8108. They wrote the Scratchblocks plugin used on the forums.

Honeybee_ wrote:

I realize that part of Scratch's purpose is to use blocks to learn how to code, but when projects get script-heavy with a lot of sprites and assets, it gets super hard to navigate the workspace and edit complicated code without accidentally messing things up.

It also makes it harder for other Scratchers to view other people's complex projects, because they don't know where this function or that piece of code is located.

Therefore, I believe that Scratch should introduce a strictly optional text version of code. (Meaning that it will still be largely focused on the blocks).

What do you think? Give me feedback.

SUPPORT

Thanks!

Leaning towards no support- I don't see how this would make coding any more navigate-able. Plus If you're at the point where you'd like to try text-based programming, you should probably move to one of the more commonly used text-based languages.

If you want text based code, learn a new language that's more modern.

Inkulumo wrote:

If you want text based code, learn a new language that's more modern.

Yes, but even without the blocks aspect, Scratch is very different from any other programming language (not only related to the coding itself). I'm updating my post.

No support. Just use tosh.
Or I suggest Python, which is the easiest language as far as I know.

Just implement your own text based programming language inside of scratch, or use someone else's.

badatprogrammingibe wrote:

Just implement your own text based programming language inside of scratch, or use someone else's.

Please stop telling people “do it yourself”, it's not very constructive and you do it a lot. Only say it when there is an easy workaround. (plus those are interpreters for other languages? They want a text based Scratch)
_________________
Complete support. Why not?

dude341 wrote:

Only say it when there is an easy workaround

There is an easy workaround, though

Sheep_maker wrote:

A text based Scratch already exists

TheRealNetherBefore wrote:

dude341 wrote:

Only say it when there is an easy workaround

There is an easy workaround, though

Sheep_maker wrote:

A text based Scratch already exists

But not as an official feature, plus the OP pointed out there are flaws.
Really it should only be said for a block suggestion if there is a 2 to 6 block workaround.

pixelmaniacknowitall wrote:

Sheep_maker wrote:

A text based Scratch already exists, but it's unofficial. It should still satisfy your needs, though.

That's nice,but I think if scratch were to model their text editor as that, they would need to make it a little easier. For example, actual sprites instead of turtles and easier code managing.

That isn't a turtle only language, it's just the default sprite is called “turtle”. Anything you can do in Scratch should run in there.

One question, why did you add controversial to the title? That's just clickbait. Really though, current Scratch projects are just Flash. Just learn Flash and ActionScript. Scratch was written in ActionScript, too. (as far as I know )

Duplicate

Inkulumo wrote:

One question, why did you add controversial to the title? That's just clickbait. Really though, current Scratch projects are just Flash. Just learn Flash and ActionScript. Scratch was written in ActionScript, too. (as far as I know )

Don't learn something that is expected to be obsolete by 2020.

Perhaps you could learn HTML/CSS/JS and host it on some free web hosting service, then share it to the Scratch community (I believe that doesn't violate the new browser extension policy).

Also, a text-based Scratch technically already exists in the project's project.json file