I've got an idea to rewrite Scratch from scratch, but focusing on code quality, not the features on the first place. That means, doing tests first, making things as modular as possible (decouple things like processing, visual output, sound output, input, changing the code, debugging the code, ... etc.).
I'd like to have very minimal system with everything done by plugins (plugins for interpreting blocks, drawing, playing sounds, etc.), every plugin developed and tested by itself.
If this could be achieved, Scratch can be live online with development environment (created using AJAX, for example), and display/sound can be accomplished using aflax, for example.
The language chosen will be javascript (now I mean pure Javascript, not tied to browser environment). Smalltalk is best, of course, but Javascript is everywhere and, apart from its glitches, it's very modern and powerful prototype-based language on its own (forget its "only a scripting for the web" dimension). This way, Scratch can run in server as well as in client, which can be standalone as well as in-browser.
Is anyone interested in the idea (I am especially interested in flash-experienced guys like archmage if they would be interested to develop aflax-based display plugin). I'd like to do the basics (blackboard as means of communication between plugins, then plugins for interpreting blocks).
I am the person who have no problem to come up with brilliant idea, but need positive feedback and support of other people to go on with it.
BTW, this plugin system allows to create libraries with additional blocks; for example shared server variables of some more 3D support (displaying sprites not only in screen plane, but in other planes as well, creating perspective without big hassle... you got the idea.
I do not remember why, but I came up with the name "volvox" for the thing '-)
Last edited by deerel (2008-12-03 09:00:38)
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