ALGORITHMS and PROGRAMMING - Other Languages

     In the Definitions section of this site, two types of programming languages were mentioned: Block-based and Text-based.  Most of the discussion has dealt with the use of Block-based languages, primarily Scratch and Scratch Jr.  Note - there are other block-based languages (https://www.educationalappstore.com/blog/alternatives-to-scratch/) but Scratch has many, many teaching/learning resources, and if you do learn Scratch the other languages are much easier to pick up.
     The text-based language that I've mentioned most often is the variant of C/C++ associated with the Arduino and it's programming environment.  I think it's well worth learning, but for the purposes of this site, only in the context of programming the Arduino.  If you want to learn and use text-based languages just for the sake of learning to program, there are probably better candidates, but to learn about physical computing I'd definitely recommend the Arduino and it's programming environment.  The environment is free (and there are many, many libraries of sample code) and can be downloaded from the Arduino site, www.arduino.cc
     The only other text-based language mentioned was Java, in the Data and Analyses section on the Microbit.  You can actually do a lot more with the Microbit, including coding in Python.  If you go to www.microbit.org, then choose the Let's Code tab, you'll see a link for the Python editor: https://python.microbit.org/v/2.0  There's also a link to a Python guide and several sample programs.
Python Editor for Microbit

Here's a youtube video that introduces coding the Microbit with Python:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-z87k9_CnoA
     Learning to code the Microbit using Python has additional advantages.  Hummingbird now sells an adapter that lets you add a Microbit to your Hummingbird board as a controller - the Hummingbird Bit (https://store.birdbraintechnologies.com/collections/hummingbird-bit/products/hummingbird-bit-controller).  This is very helpful since normally the Hummingbird must be tethered to your computer.  Now you can program the Microbit and attach it to your Hummingbird so that it can be used, untethered. The Hummingbird Bit lets you program in a number of languages, including Java and Python.
      More information about using Java and Python with the Hummingbird bit:



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