If we need to divide coding into two main headings, we can name them as block and text-based coding.
What is Block Based Coding?
Block (visual) based coding is a drag-and-drop environment created for robot programming.
- Since most of the applications are fun and eye-catching in terms of visual interface and also provide ease of use with the drag-and-drop technique, they are an important first step when children start coding.
- Computer programming languages, like a foreign language, are languages that take time to learn and are complex at first glance. Various block-based programming tools have been developed to support easier learning and creative use of these languages.
- Block-based programming tools translate the command used in a specific program language into blocks that describe its function. In this way, communication becomes easier. With block-based coding, it has become possible to create programs such as drag and drop or puzzle games without using any code.
What is Text Based Coding?
Text-based programming is a coding structure made with words and commands. It is the coding made by using text-based characters in accordance with the syntax rules of the programming language.
While block-based programs enable children to understand the logic of coding in the simplest and most straightforward way, they also attract children’s attention with entertaining visuals. The structures in block-based coding are the exact block version of the commands in text-based coding. Block-based coding shapes and structures have been prepared with a high level of understandability and have been developed for those who are new to coding. Block-based coding is an important tool for children to learn coding. Thanks to block-based coding, children can easily understand coding and the algorithm that is the basis of coding.
The most important difference between block-based coding and text-based coding is understandability and time. A code prepared with text-based coding can be done with block-based coding in a shorter time and by understanding the coding logic more easily. The disadvantage of block-based programming will remain limited no matter how many projects are developed. The number of projects we can develop in text-based programming is unlimited.
Examples of block-based coding applications: Scratch, Mblock, MakeCode
Examples of text-based coding applications: Arduino IDE, C#, C++, Java, Python, Php
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