Scratch

That ' symbol might be the answer to my problems. I'll look a bit more at the code. Thanks!

Edit: AH BULL. It didn't work. T.T

EDIT: The ' has nothing to do with it. Time to start experimenting again. T.T

Last edited by Kingdaro (2010-04-07 15:45:07)

Hi Kingdaro,

in the current BYOB version (2) you cannot create custom blocks with drop-down menus that actually do things, the ones created by accident are just non-functional bugs 

In the next version (3), which is tentatively scheduled for August 2010, there will be more ways to specify argument types, block colors and categories etc.

Hi MathWhizz,

nevermind, I know you can produce Squeak errors in BYOB, but you cannot ever use those to hack into the BYOB source code, and you did not. If you know some Smalltalk, of course, you can simply browse and modify the complete BYOB source code using the Elements window    (and if you know a little more Squeak you can use this method to open the regular Squeak tools like the SystemBrowser etc.)

Jens wrote:

Hi Kingdaro,

in the current BYOB version (2) you cannot create custom blocks with drop-down menus that actually do things, the ones created by accident are just non-functional bugs 

In the next version (3), which is tentatively scheduled for August 2010, there will be more ways to specify argument types, block colors and categories etc.

Hi MathWhizz,

nevermind, I know you can produce Squeak errors in BYOB, but you cannot ever use those to hack into the BYOB source code, and you did not. If you know some Smalltalk, of course, you can simply browse and modify the complete BYOB source code using the Elements window    (and if you know a little more Squeak you can use this method to open the regular Squeak tools like the SystemBrowser etc.)

No, no, no... It was a syntax error... Anyway, I found a better way of doing it!
Open Elements and type "Preferences enableProgrammerFacilities" into the blue block.

Now select it and press alt + d. Alt click and you get the halo! 

markyparky56 wrote:

MathWizz wrote:

Jens wrote:

Hi Kingdaro,

in the current BYOB version (2) you cannot create custom blocks with drop-down menus that actually do things, the ones created by accident are just non-functional bugs 

In the next version (3), which is tentatively scheduled for August 2010, there will be more ways to specify argument types, block colors and categories etc.

Hi MathWhizz,

nevermind, I know you can produce Squeak errors in BYOB, but you cannot ever use those to hack into the BYOB source code, and you did not. If you know some Smalltalk, of course, you can simply browse and modify the complete BYOB source code using the Elements window    (and if you know a little more Squeak you can use this method to open the regular Squeak tools like the SystemBrowser etc.)

No, no, no... It was a syntax error... Anyway, I found a better way of doing it!
Open Elements and type "Preferences enableProgrammerFacilities" into the blue block.
http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/9441/byobhacking.png
Now select it and press alt + d. Alt click and you get the halo! 

How'd you work that one out? I dont know anyone who would type that into the block by accident.

I was looking in the blockSpec trying to find something but it was so long that I thought I would see if control + f would bring up a find menu. That didn't work so I tried alt + f. It worked! Then I thought ", if that worked, maybe alt + d will too!" And it did!

Kingdaro wrote:

MathWizz wrote:

Jens wrote:

Hi Kingdaro,

in the current BYOB version (2) you cannot create custom blocks with drop-down menus that actually do things, the ones created by accident are just non-functional bugs 

In the next version (3), which is tentatively scheduled for August 2010, there will be more ways to specify argument types, block colors and categories etc.

Hi MathWhizz,

nevermind, I know you can produce Squeak errors in BYOB, but you cannot ever use those to hack into the BYOB source code, and you did not. If you know some Smalltalk, of course, you can simply browse and modify the complete BYOB source code using the Elements window    (and if you know a little more Squeak you can use this method to open the regular Squeak tools like the SystemBrowser etc.)

No, no, no... It was a syntax error... Anyway, I found a better way of doing it!
Open Elements and type "Preferences enableProgrammerFacilities" into the blue block.
http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/9441/byobhacking.png
Now select it and press alt + d. Alt click and you get the halo! 

Open elements in which block?

Oh, and I found a * annoying bug. When you single click on a custom made block, IT FREEZES. You can't click anywhere, move anything, it just freezes. I have to Ctrl+Alt+Delete-Task-Manager-End-Task it every time I accidentally click. Please, PLEASE, fix it. 

Any block. Just open it and type it into the block, highlight and press alt + d.

I am in DESPERATE need for a converter to Scratch. VERY, VERY, DESPERATE. I'm working on an OS for a collab, so I REALLY could use it so I can publish it. O.o

Jens wrote:

So, you want to define your own procedures and functions in Scratch? Build your own blocks (BYOB    )?

You might as well try this new experimental prototype I have been developing over the last weeks. You can download and read through an overview (pdf), or download the whole application (including the overview) and start playing with it right away.

This prototype lets you build your own custom blocks in Scratch using the standard Scratch blocks, as well as other blocks you defined elsewhere. You can create your own command blocks (procedures) and reporter blocks (functions), both regular ("round") and boolean ("diamond"). You can specify for each block to be atomic (run at the speed of a single block) or interleafed. Your custom blocks are defined for each sprite and can be shared among projects together with the sprite they were created for. Oh, and you can even use a block within itself (recursion).

This prototype is very, very, experimental, so be prepared to encounter lots of bugs. I'd be very interested in feedback about your experiences and insights.

Enjoy!
-Jens

Can you make it for Linux and Mac, too? I have Linux, and when I drag the image onto Scratch, it just opens Scratch 1.4. Please, only Scratchers who have Windows can use this, I guess the only other way to make your own blocks is to get the Source Code and hack it... 

I don't understand. What do I do when I've downloaded the files? Please tell me!

Last edited by Dab1998 (2010-04-12 12:32:32)

Well if byob3 is coming around August... or you hope it is, you should get the publics opinion on blocks. I hope its even more amazing than byob2! 

Jens wrote:

Hi, ElectricSparx.

The BYOB image also works on Macs and presumably on Linux, too. Copy the .image file into the *Scratch* folder, then drop it onto Scratch.app.

Thanks, Jens. My dad helped me with that.

I have a question about the excellent possibility of creating new blocks in BYOB: why not having a flag (like for variables) saying that a block is global or local? That would allow a tremendous saving in updating the same code in several sprites.

Last edited by s_federici (2010-04-14 04:22:04)

s_federici wrote:

I have a question about the excellent possibility of creating new blocks in BYOB: why not having a flag (like for variables) saying that a block is global or local? That would allow a tremendous saving in updating the same code in several sprites.

Hi Stefano,

excellent suggestion! In fact, we have this already implemented in the current BYOB alpha version. BTW I sent you an e-mail a while ago inviting you to our BYOB alpha mailing list at Berkeley, but did not get any response from you. Perhaps I had the wrong address. If you're interested in checking out our new extensions just send me an e-mail and I'll add you to our list so you'll get the (frequent) new BYOB versions.