Comparing Alice with Scratch and Greenfoot

[alicefan]

Here is an article that compares Alice with Scratch and Greenfoot.
http://www.kidslike.info/computer_programming_educational_programming_langu ages
2. Alice
POSITIVES
Alice is a good second step after your child has learned Scratch. You can also start a child (beginning around age 7) on Alice and skip Scratch.
*. It has most features of a real programming language, including functions
* The large number of graphics that come with Alice means you can make professional looking "movies" very quickly
* It is easy to add your own sounds
* Alice is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux
NEGATIVES
* There is no widely known website where you can share Alice projects
* There are few beginners tutorials
* Does not teach text based programming

[DickBaldwin]

Here is an article that compares Alice with Scratch and Greenfoot.
http://www.kidslike.info/computer_programming_educational_programming_langu ages
2. Alice
POSITIVES
Alice is a good second step after your child has learned Scratch. You can also start a child (beginning around age 7) on Alice and skip Scratch.
*. It has most features of a real programming language, including functions
* The large number of graphics that come with Alice means you can make professional looking "movies" very quickly
* It is easy to add your own sounds
* Alice is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux
NEGATIVES
* There is no widely known website where you can share Alice projects
* There are few beginners tutorials
* Does not teach text based programming

Whover wrote the following has it wrong:

"3. Greenfoot
POSITIVES
* Teaches text-based programming
* Focused on making video games to interest students
* Available for Windows, Mac, and Unix
NEGATIVES
* Is not widely known
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
* Based on the computer programming language Ruby
* The Greenfoot team is based at University of Kent (England)"


Greenfoot is pure Java, not Ruby.


See http://www.developer.com/java/other/article.php/3761811


Dick Baldwin
Free Alice tutorials: http://www.dickbaldwin.com/tocalice.htm
Free Scratch tutorials: http://www.dickbaldwin.com/tocHomeSchool.htm
Free Java/C#, etc. tutorials: http://www.dickbaldwin.com/toc.htm

[DrJim]

As I noted in another posting, the comparison web page now correctly lists Greenfoot as being based on Java.