Transitioning from block coding to text can be challenging. In this post, we’ll look into the 1:1 code comparison of Scratch and Java. In the next post, we’ll take a Scratch project and code it in Java.
Common challenges of transitioning from Scratch to Java:
- All code blocks are visible on Scratch. However, for Java, students will have to look up the Java syntax and commands from documentation websites or by searching online.
- Scratch doesn’t produce syntax errors. Java on the other hand has strict syntax rules and the wrong syntax will result in errors.
- Scratch produces visual results and animations. Students may find Java less engaging at first.
Block-based program | ![]() |
High-level program (Java) | class Triangle { … double area(float b, float h) { return b*h/2; } … } |
Low-level program | LOAD r1, b LOAD r2, h MUL r1, r2 DIV r1, #2 RET |
Executable Machine code | 0000100101010001010001010 1000101010000110101001100 0101001000100010010101000 1010001010100010101000… |
Scratch to Java Code Examples
Output
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Instantiating a variable
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Operators
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Conditional Statements
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For loop
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Getting user input
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Function and function call
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