Scratch and Block Programming
Block languages teach logic without syntax.
About this topic
Scratch is a free visual programming language developed at MIT in which you build programs by snapping together colourful blocks instead of typing code. Blocks represent actions, loops, conditions, variables and events, and their shapes only fit together in ways that make sense, which prevents syntax errors.
Programs control sprites on a stage. For example, a block for when green flag clicked, then forever, move 10 steps, if on edge bounce, makes a character patrol the screen. Costumes, sounds and broadcast messages allow animation and communication between sprites. Users can create their own blocks, which are like functions.
Scratch teaches the same concepts as text languages: sequence, loops, conditionals, variables, events and functions. Millions of young people use it to create games, stories and animations and to share them online and remix others projects. A common misconception is that block coding is not real programming; the ideas transfer directly to Python and JavaScript. When you are ready, you can try text languages, and the main new skill is exact typing. Name sprites and variables clearly and test often.
Key ideas
- Drag blocks
- Sprites and events
- Great for beginners
Quick check
Use cases: where Scratch and Block Programming helps
- Homework: review the key idea behind Scratch and Block Programming before you start a problem set.
- Exam revision: use the quick check to test whether you can recall Scratch and Block Programming without notes.
- Visual learning: play with the interactive lab to see how Scratch and Block Programming changes when you adjust its inputs.
- Teaching a friend: explain Scratch and Block Programming in your own words, then compare your version with the key ideas.
Computing ideas run phones, search engines, games and the wider internet.
Frequently asked questions
What is Scratch and Block Programming?
Block languages teach logic without syntax.
What will I learn in Scratch and Block Programming?
Drag blocks. Sprites and events. Great for beginners.
Is Scratch and Block Programming part of Computer Science?
Yes. It is one of 80 Computer Science topics on LearnViz HighSchoolEdu, with 3 key ideas, a live animation and a quick check.
Does the Scratch and Block Programming lab work on a phone or tablet?
Yes. The animation resizes to fit your screen and supports touch, so you can drag, tap and slide with your finger.
How should I study Scratch and Block Programming?
Read the summary and key ideas first, play with the interactive lab to see the idea in motion, then answer the quick check. If you get a question wrong, go back to the key idea it tests.
Do I need an account, and is my progress saved?
No account is needed. Marking a topic as learned is saved in your own browser, so it stays on that device and is not sent to a server.