Blockly@rduino is a visual 'Scratch block program' like, based upon Google Blockly (https://developers.google.com/blockly/) and BlocklyDuino (https://github.com/BlocklyDuino/BlocklyDuino).
The aim is to create the more easy way to program Arduino card with this graphical programmation, for newbies or children.
All details: https://github.com/technologiescollege/Blockly-at-rduino
Writing raw text code can be incredibly intimidating for young students or visual designers. Syntax errors (like forgetting a semicolon ;) cause hours of frustrating bugs. The Blockly@rduino Plugin changes the entire development environment, allowing you to program hardware by snapping together colorful puzzle pieces on your screen.
Google Blockly Foundation
The plugin is built upon Google's open-source Blockly architecture (similar to MIT Scratch).
- The Logic Blocks: Instead of typing
if (digitalRead(2) == HIGH), you grab a yellow[If___Then___]block, snap a blue[Digital Pin 2]block inside the 'If', and snap a red[Turn LED ON]block inside the 'Then'. - The Translation Engine: While assembling the puzzle pieces, the plugin silently generates the 100% correct, flawless C++ syntax in a hidden window right next to it!
- The Upload: You click compile, and the plugin seamlessly pushes the generated code into the Arduino IDE and directly into the Uno via USB.
Use normally Blockly@rduino, then inside 'Arduino code' tab you can launch upload :
This plugin, added in Arduino IDE, permits to :
- launch Blockly@rduino directly from Arduino IDE
- Blockly@rduino with all functions
- save INO file through IDE
- copy paste Arduino code generated in Blockly@rduino into IDE
- direct upload from Blockly@rduino, through Arduino IDE
Supporting Third-Party Hardware
The true power of this specific plugin is its expansive library manager.
- It doesn't just blink LEDs; it has custom-made blocks for complex hardware like NeoPixel strips, I2C LCD Screens, and Ultrasonic sensors.
- You can drag an
[Initialize I2C LCD 16x2]block onto the canvas, and it automatically writes the<Wire.h>library headers and addressing into your file behind the scenes!
Setup and Requirements
- Arduino IDE (older version 1.8.x is often required for legacy JAVA plugins).
- Java Runtime Environment (JRE) installed on your PC.
You just have to unzip plugin in 'tools' directory of Arduino IDE :
You can find it there : https://github.com/technologiescollege/BlocklyArduinoIDEPlugin
Or directly download zip file with plugin + Blockly@rduino updated : https://github.com/technologiescollege/BlocklyArduinoIDEPlugin/raw/master/BlocklyArduinoPlugin.7z
Not finished:
- interact with board & COM port choice
- interact with Arduino IDE editor console
- interact with Arduino IDE serial console