8. SCRATCH

A computer is an electronic machine, which performs a task based on the instructions given to it. The set of instructions given to a computer to carry out a task is called a Program. These instructions are provided to the computer using a particular computer language that it can understand. These languages are known as Programming languages. Some of the languages are syntax-based. They follow specific rules of that language, such as, C, C++, Java, Python, etc, using which you can write programs. On the other hand, there are some interactive languages which provide a visual programming environment, where a user need not to memorise the syntax; instead, he can use the predefined blocks to make the programs. Scratch is one such language that provides a graphical environment to the users to create programs. Let us revise some basic concepts of Scratch that you have studied in the previous class.

Scratch is a visual programming language, designed to enhance the analytical and logical skills of the students. Scratch language provides various objects, which can be made to perform different actions. In Scratch, these objects are known as Sprites. Scratch enables the students to create games, animated stories, and projects.

Some popular features of Scratch are:

• Scratch has a graphical environment. Hence, it increases the students' interest in learning programming.
  
  
• Instead of writing text or code, the predefined blocks are snapped together to create the script.
  
  
• It encourages the children to playfully experiment with program segments.
  
  
• It is available free of cost. You can download for free from https://scratch.mit.edu/download.
  
  
• It is simple to understand and easy to learn.
  
  

• To start Scratch, follow the steps given below:
  
  
• Click on the Start button > All programs > Scratch2.
  
  
• The Scratch window opens.
  
  

Learning Computers with Kips

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