The free Google tool for novice coders has a desktop version
More recently, we talked about 10 mobile apps that will teach you how to code. The Grasshopper app was also included in the top ten. We praised it for its simplicity and convenience. Any beginner can understand Grasshopper: the principle is based on logical block construction, not on theory.
Finally, Google heard the pleas of users and rolled out a version of the popular desktop app.
The original app for iOS and Android appeared in April 2018 as part of the Area 120 initiative. Since then, more than 2 million people have downloaded and used the app to improve their coding skills. This is stated in the company’s message.
For desktop users, there is good news: Grasshopper will not be a tracing paper of the mobile app. Two additional courses will appear on desktop PCs: “using the editor” and “Introduction to web pages”.
The web client has an intuitive design. The interface consists of three panels and resembles many popular code editors and integrated development environments, such as Atom and Eclipse.
The left-most vertical panel is reserved for program instructions, in the center you write the code, and on the right you see the result. And of course, what could be better than an example with a cute dog?
Google says that they created Grasshopper with the expectation of beginners. “We refer to students as parents who work at home, builders and machinists-it doesn’t matter who you work with or what you understand about web design. It is important that they are interested in coding. Perhaps for some of them it will be a new round of career.”
The Internet giant already offers a wide range of ed-tech tools aimed at beginners. The Grow platform helps former military personnel, Housewives, and students find and learn a new profession.