Getting Started with Scratch

Scratch is a visual programming language that will help us create awesome projects. Scratch is like a canvas where you can paint your imagination with blocks of code. So, let’s get started and bring our ideas to life!

Introduction to Scratch

Scratch is a fun and user-friendly platform that allows us to create interactive stories, animations, and games. It uses colorful blocks of code that snap together like puzzle pieces. No worries if you have never coded before. Scratch makes it super easy to learn!

Get Neha Saini’s stories in your inbox

Join Medium for free to get updates from this writer.

Remember me for faster sign in

To begin, visit the Scratch website (https://scratch.mit.edu/) and create a free account. Once you are logged in, you will see a blank workspace where the magic happens.

Exploring the Scratch Interface

Let’s inspect the Scratch interface so you feel right at home.

1. Sprites: Sprites are the characters or objects that you can program and control. You can choose from a wide range of ready-to-use sprites or even create your own.
2. Stage: The stage is like the background of your project. You can add backdrops to set the scene and create an immersive experience.
3. Blocks Palette: This is where you’ll find all the coding blocks. They are color-coded and grouped into categories such as Motion, Looks, and Events. You can simply drag and snap them together to create your program.
4. Scripts Area: This is where you assemble your blocks to create scripts. A script is a sequence of blocks that tells your sprite what to do.

Creating Your First Project

Let’s dive into creating your first project. We willll make a sprite move across the screen with just a few blocks. Follow these steps:

1. Choosing a Sprite: Click on the “Choose a Sprite from Library” button and select a sprite that you like. How about a cute cat?
2. Adding Blocks: In the blocks palette, find the “Events” category and drag the “when green flag clicked” block to the scripts area. This block will trigger our program when we click the green flag.
3. Moving the Sprite: In the “Motion” category, drag the “go to x: [ ] y: [ ]” block and snap it below the “when green flag clicked” block. Fill in the numbers to determine where you want your sprite to start.
4. Adding Motion: Still in the “Motion” category, grab the “glide [ ] secs to x: [ ] y: [ ]” block and attach it below the previous block. Set the values to specify where you want your sprite to glide to and how long it should take.
5. Testing Your Project: Click the green flag at the top of the screen and watch your sprite move!

Adding Interactivity

Now, let’s make our project more interactive by adding user input. We’ll make the sprite respond when we press certain keys. Follow these steps:

1. Adding Event Blocks: In the block's palette, go to the “Events” category and drag the “when [ ] key pressed” block to the scripts area.
2. Choosing a Key: Inside the “when [ ] key pressed” block, select a key from the drop-down menu. Let’s choose the space key.
3. Adding Actions: In the “Motion” category, grab the “change x by [ ]” block and attach it below the “when [ ] key pressed” block. Set the value to determine how much your sprite should move horizontally.
4. Testing Your Project: Click the green flag.