Scratch

Scratch is a block-based visual programming language and website targeted primarily at children 8-16 to help learn code. Users of the site can create projects on the web using a block-like interface. Wikipedia.

Influenced: ScratchJr

Implementation language: Squeak (Scratch 0.x, 1.x); ActionScript (Scratch 2.0); JavaScript (Scratch 3.0)

License: GPLv2 and Scratch Source Code License

Paradigm: Event-driven, visual, block-based programming language

OS: Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux (via renderer), HTML5

Scratch is a block-based visual programming language and website targeted primarily at children 8-16 to help learn code.^[5][6] Users of the site can create projects on the web using a block-like interface. The service is developed by the MIT Media Lab, has been translated into 70+ languages, and is used in most parts of the world.^[7] Scratch is taught and used in after-school centers, schools, and colleges, as well as other public knowledge institutions. As of October 2020, community statistics on the language's official website show more than 63 million projects shared by over 65 million users, and almost 36 million monthly website visits.^[7]

Scratch takes its name from a technique used by disk jockeys called "scratching", where vinyl records are clipped together and manipulated on a turntable to produce different sound effects and music. Like scratching, the website lets users mix together different media (including graphics, sound, and other programs) in creative ways by creating and remixing projects, like video games, animations, and simulations. ^[8][9]