MagicCode interface and tools

• Blocks

A block is like a jigsaw puzzle piece that is used to write programs by simply dragging and dropping them below one another in the scripting area. Blocks are often easier to work with than text-based programming, as one has to memorize the commands typed and syntax errors may occur. There are ten categories of blocks: Motion, Looks, Sound, Event, Control, Sensing, Operators, Variables, List, and My Blocks. The list blocks are shown under the Variables Blocks.

• Block palette

The block palette is under the Code tab. It consists of different palettes such as Motion, Sound, and Control. Each palette has different blocks that perform functions specified by the palette name. There are other varieties of block palettes that can be loaded from the Add Extension button located at the left bottom.

• Script

A script is a program or code in MagicCode which is a collection or stack of blocks that all interlock with one another. The blocks and their order are very important, as they determine how sprites interact with each other and the backdrop. Sometimes, comments are attached to scripts to explain what certain blocks do and what the script’s purpose is. You can write multiple scripts, all of which can then run simultaneously.

• Connect Devices

Connect Devices is used to connect devices (Magicbit, Arduino, or Microbit) with MagicCode.

• Add Extensions

Add Extensions are used to add new palettes to the block palette.

• Sprite

Sprites, either user-created, uploaded, or found in the MagicCode Sprites library, are the objects that perform actions in a project. Most projects have at least one sprite as well because only sprites can move.

Users can give instructions to a sprite (such as telling the sprite to move) by snapping blocks together in the script area. Clicking on the block(s) in the script area will cause the sprite to react based on the function of the block(s) clicked. Clicking on a sprite’s thumbnail in the sprite pane will bring up the script area of that sprite.

The look of a sprite can also be changed by using costumes. The current costume of a sprite can be changed by clicking on the “costumes” tab and clicking on the desired costume of choice, or by using look blocks to select the sprite’s costume. New costumes for the sprite can be imported, created, and edited in the MagicCode Paint Editor.

Some sprites additionally have at least one sound. Unlike costumes, sounds are an optional field, so you can have a sprite with no sounds. The sounds tab allows you to add, delete, and edit sounds. Sounds can be played in the sound editor or with blocks that play a specific sound. Sprites (with all of their scripts, costumes, and sounds) can be exported, and then imported into another project if desired. This is achieved by right-clicking on a sprite’s thumbnail in the sprite pane and then selecting “save to local file” in the pop-up menu. A sprite can also be dragged into the backpack and dragged out into another project for transporting. However, this will not save the sprite to one’s computer.

• Stage

The stage is the background of the project where your sprites perform their actions, but it can have scripts, backdrops (costumes), and sounds, similar to a sprite, and it has its own scripts and sounds. But the stage has some restrictions on sprite functions, such as motion and size blocks.

The stage is 480 pixels wide and 360 pixels tall. All sprites have a particular position on the stage. However, no sprites can move behind the stage, and it is always at the back layer.

The Device tab is the place where you can connect your boards with MagicCode. MagicCode provides facilities to connect five boards. You can connect your Magicbit, Arduino UNO, Arduino Mega, Arduino Nano, or Microbit Boards with MagicCode. You can program your board either in live mode or Upload mode.

Live mode

In the Live mode, you can view the program execution effect in real-time, which facilitates the commissioning of the program.

Upload mode

In the Upload mode, you need to upload the compiled program to the device. After being successfully uploaded, the program can still run properly on the device when the device is disconnected from MagicCode.