BBVPL: A Block-Based Visual Programming Language Built on Google’s Blockly

Abstract

The paper presents a Block-based Visual Programming Language (BBVPL) built on an open-source Google's Blockly Framework. BBVPL inherits Blockly's alive features as well as provides new functionalities. Although, the existing Visual Programming Languages (VPLs) such as Flowgorithm, Raptor, Flint, Larp, Snap, Scratch, Kodu, Blockly, and many more, provide a graphical computer programming interface for learning and educational purposes. Some of them are used for kid's games and robotic applications development and others for general-purpose programming. But they lack fundamental programming capabilities mostly being used to teach basic programming concepts. Therefore, the feature enhancement approach has used, and new iconic vocabulary and grammar created by Blockly's Block-factory module to develop a new language (BBVPL). In this paper, BBVPLs programming features have introduced to teach computer programming skills, especially for beginners in computer science. The BBVPL provides an intuitive visual drag-drop program development interface and a user-friendly console for input-output (I/O). It offers essential programming features, including Object Orientation, Modular Support, Conditions (If-Else), Loops (For, While), Exceptions (Throw, catch, Finally), and File Handling. However, the BBVPL can translate Visual Program into Textual Program that will execute, and results will be shown on the console screen. To accomplish this, some experimental visual programs and their translated textual codes are also part of our paper, indicating the smooth working of our tool. The integration of user's roles and rights management that will provide proper user access to save their programs on the server, debugging, and multithreading features will be the parts of BBVPL in the future.