pod.js Documentation

Overview

pod.js is inspired by Scratch and is intended to make it easy for Scratch users to learn JavaScript by bringing over familiar concepts:

• Blocks - pod.js has the same set of blocks as Scratch 2.0 (though only 30% are implemented so far - more on the way)
• Sprites and Costumes - Just like in Scratch, the environment provides the ability to create multiple sprites that can interact with each other, and each with its own set of costumes.
• Stage - There is a stage with multiple backdrops that lets you set the scene.
• Blocks - pod.js has the same set of blocks as Scratch 2.0 (though only 30% are implemented so far - more on the way)
• Editor - Edit code directly in the browser, similar to Scratch, jsfiddle or other similar sites.
• Bootstrapping - Just like in Scratch, new applications start with a Sprite, Stage and a green and red flag for starting and stopping the program.
• Graphics and Sound - pod.js apps provide full graphics and sound capabilities in the browser with no configuration or installation of JavaScript libraries.

JavaScript Library Documentation

To initialize the environment and create and register scripts with Sprites and Stages, you use the JavaScript classes directly. In most cases, you only need to write code like:

var env = new PodJS();
var scratch = env.pod("scratch");
var robot = scratch.newSprite("robot");
robot.loadCostume("costume1", "img/Cartoon_Robot_a.png");
robot.loadCostume("costume2", "img/Cartoon_Robot_b.png");

In more advanced cases, you should consult the pod.js JsDocs (try looking at Sprite, for example):

Open pod.js JsDoc

Scratch Blocks

Blocks are intended to behave identically to blocks in Scratch, and take the same number of parameters. See the Scratch Wiki for details. To pass parameters to blocks, just add more blocks, separating each one with dots, like so:

robot.newScript().
    when_green_flag_clicked.
    forever.begin.
        costume.c("costume2").
        move.c(10).
        wait.c(1).
        costume.c("costume1").
        move.c(-10).
        wait.c(1).
    end;

To pass in a constant value, use the 'c' block, and provide the value in parenthesis, like c(10).

For advanced users, if you'd like to use pure JavaScript code in your Scratch Blocks, you can use the 'f' block, like so:

        move.f(function() { return 5 + 5; }).

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The following Scratch blocks are provided by pod.js. Blocks that are implemented have a checkmark next to them. Others are not yet implemented but coming soon!