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Designed for Beginners

Chat Style Console

The classic method to interact with the computer is to use the "Console". Using this approach, the program displays output on a text-only screen and the user inputs data using the keyboard. Sometimes the console allows the text to change colors, but, for the most part, it is white text on a black background.

The Console works, but its simple interface can make it difficult to differentiate user input and program output. So, rather than using the text-only screen, Flowgorithm attempts to make it look like a typical instant messenger window. From the student's point of view, it looks like they are texting with the computer.

The "chat bubbles" are color coded to match the Input and Output shapes used in the flowchart. In the screenshot to the right, the user's input is display in blue while the program's output is displayed in green.

If you don't want to use the chat bubbles, you can also toggle between them and classical plain text.

Graphical Variable Watch

The variable watch window is used to keep track of how your variables are changing as your program executes. So, if you are stepping through your program, the window will show each variable and its current value. This is not limited to just basic variables. Arrays will be displayed as well.

Each variable is color coded based on its data type. At a glace, you can tell exactly what type of data is being stored - and catch where you may want to use a different data type.

  • Integers are displayed in blue.
  • Real numbers (doubles) are displayed in purple.
  • String variables are a displayed in red.
  • Boolean variables are displayed in teal.

Simple Semantics

Flowgorithm is a graphical programming language and, as a result, doesn't have a specific syntax (except for expressions). However, the semantics of a programming language is very important for beginner students. Many programming languages, like C, have "gotcha" moments where the code doesn't do what the student expects. The classic example is the simple expression: 1 / 2. The student, having studied mathematics since grade-school would assume it would be equal to 0.5. But, in C, it will be 0.

So, Flowgorithm uses semantics with the least chance of "gotcha" moments. Students, advancing onto a full programming language, can learn them then. The following is a partial list:

  • Division uses floating point.
    This will be regardless of the operand data types. The Visual Basic programming language uses this behavior.
  • Explicit variable declaration.
    Flowcharts generally use implicit declaration (given they are quite minimalistic). However, beginner programmers may use inconsistent variable names (e.g. cost vs costs) or may make simple misspellings. This is incredibly common for undisciplined programmers. While this is a problem in implicit variable declaration, it causes an error in explicit programming languages. The student will know the mistake immediately.
  • Safe recursion.
    Flowgorithm maintains an internal stack (rather than the system stack). If the student accidentally creates an runaway recursive call, the application will not crash. Instead, they will receive an error message.
  • No operator ambiguity
    Many programming languages uses the same operator for separate, unrelated, operations. For example, the Java Programming Language uses the + operator for both addition and concatenation. This can lead to confusion for beginner programmers - "Are strings being added?". Flowgorithm, instead, uses the & operator for concatenation.

Useful Features

Turtle Graphics

Flowgorithm supports turtle graphics. The idea comes from the classic programming language LOGO which was developed in 1967. It allows images to be created by the simple actions of the "turtle" - The goal was to teach programming concepts through the sequential steps required to create an image. Flowgorithm has 4 flowchart shapes that implement the features of LOGO:

  • Turn - changes the angle by rotating the Turtle either left or right.
  • Forward - moves the Turtle the specified distance. It can move with or without leaving a line.
  • Home - returns the turtle to the start position and sets the angle at 90 degrees.
  • Clear - the background screen is cleared.

The introduction of turtle graphics will give instructors one additional tool to teach programming. For example, instructors could ask the students to draw a rectangle - first through a sequence of steps, then later, using iteration.

Basic File Support

Flowgorithm supports for basic text-based file input/output. This will allow students to generate output files or open input files so they can perform calculations on a large data set.

Conditional Breaks

Conditional Breaks can be added anywhere to a program. These are useful to pause execution as a certain point - often to show the current values stored in variables. Each Breakpoint can either pause if a Boolean expression is true or, alternatively, break in all cases.

Flowgorithm can also execute a program in "Ignore Breakpoints" mode. This means, you can add as many breakpoints, that you want, and be able to run the program normally. In addition, if you want to simply delete all of them, Flowgorithm has that option. 

Pathway to Major Programming Languages

Interactively Generate Real Code 

The Source Code Viewer can convert your flowchart to several major programming languages. If you planning to learn a high-level language, then this feature should help you along the way.

The code is highlighted using the same color used by the flowchart's matching shapes. This allows you see visually see the correlation between the code and flowchart. Also, if you highlight shapes in the flowchart, or you step through your program, the source code will be highlighted to match.

Supported Languages

  • Ada 95
  • AppleScript
  • AutoHotKey
  • Bash
  • C#
  • C++
  • Fortran 2003
  • Groovy
  • Java
  • JavaScript
  • Kotlin
  • Lua
  • MATLAB
  • Nim
  • Pascal
  • Perl
  • PHP
  • Powershell
  • Python
  • QBasic
  • Ruby
  • Scala
  • Smalltalk
  • Swift
  • Transact-SQL
  • TypeScript
  • Visual Basic for Applications
  • VBA (for Excel)
  • Visual Basic .NET

 

Supported Pseudocodes

If your programming language and/or pseudocode is not listed, Flowgorithm supports customizable program templates. These are simple text files that can be written with any text editor. Once loaded, your flowchart can be automatically converted to the target syntax.  Please check out the online documentation.

Redundant Operators

Since Flowgorithm strives to be a pathway to multiple programming languages, it supports operators from multiple programming languages. This includes the C family, BASIC family, and the mathematical symbols themselves (Unicode).  For example, Flowgorithm expressions can use &&, and, and ∧ for Boolean-And. These are all equivalent and are equally valid.

You can use any of operators - depending on the high-level language you want to learn later.

Application Features

Multilingual support

Flowgorithm supports multiple spoken languages. If your language isn't currently supported, and you would like to help create a translation, please contact me at: FlowgorithmDevinCook.com. No programming is required.  You just need to translate a simple text file. Your help will be greatly appreciated!!

  • Afrikaans
  • Arabic
  • Catalan
  • Chinese (Simplified)
  • Chinese (Traditional)
  • Croatian
  • Czech
  • Dutch
  • English - U.S. & British
  • Farsi
  • French
  • Galician
  • German
  • Hebrew
  • Hungarian
  • Indonesian
  • Italian
  • Japanese
  • Korean
  • Latvian
  • Malay
  • Mongolian
  • Polish
  • Portuguese (Portugal)
  • Portuguese (Brazil)
  • Romanian
  • Russian
  • Slovenian
  • Spanish (Castilian)
  • Spanish (Mexican)
  • Swedish
  • Tamil
  • Thai
  • Turkish
  • Ukrainian

Customizable Color Schemes


Flowgorithm supports a wide-variable of color schemes. These will allow you to work, or export the flowchart to an image file, in a number of different styles and appearances. The application comes with a selection of built-in schemes.

You can also download over 100 additional schemes from this website. The application, itself, can download them automatically.

If you want an appearance that is not currently supported, Flowgorithm has a Color Scheme Editor where you can create your own.

Color Skins

Color schemes can also be applied to the entire application. So, Flowgorithm can have a dark theme, light theme, or any color - for that matter. The picture below shows Cyberspace color theme applied to all windows..

 

Other Features

  • Several flowcharting styles are supported. This includes: classic, IBM, SDL, and more...
  • Flowcharts can be exported to both PNG (bitmap) and SVG (vector) in any of the color schemes.
  • The Editor has a feature called "Layout Windows". It is designed to help instructors show the all the needed content on the screen without having to manually resize each window (which can be monotonous).
  • Programs are saved using XML.