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by wonger_ 720 days ago
I like it! I fiddled around for a couple minutes. The UI is surprisingly non-buggy. I like how the code editor treats lines as draggable widgets, and I like the limited syntax selection. Props for focusing on school licenses and making individual accounts free.

Just a couple thoughts:

- maybe use horizontal editor splits by default when the screen aspect ratio is less than 1 (ie. for vertical mobile screens)

- shouldn't `math` be treated like other namespaces in the `call` menu? Eg. formatted with ellipses like `math...`, and offering a menu of functions right after being selected?

- any plans to make more detailed/friendly error messages? Eg. "Type error, invalid function call" feels a bit useless for a beginner

- any real-world examples of programs that kids have written?

- any plans to convert seamlessly between Pickcode's language, Python, and JS? Essentially being different views of the same program, for when the kid is ready to try another language.

And a bit unrelated, but any thoughts on Mark Rober's take on code editors? https://youtu.be/1j1kAuqePJo?si=6GtQPVgsFgUtGPw-&t=1109 Obviously not as fleshed out or beginner-friendly as yours, but I think the tiered approach is interesting.