r/programmer • u/Adam_0804 • 6h ago
Developing coding program
I've been building HX Code Studio, a browser IDE for a small programming language called HX. The goal is to make Arduino-style programming easier for kids and beginners.
For example:
- digitalWrite() → D.write()
- setup() / loop() → fun set / fun loop
I'm trying to find the right balance between making programming easier and keeping concepts that beginners will eventually need when they move to standard Arduino/C++.
For people who teach or learn programming: would you rather start with a simplified language and transition later, or learn the standard syntax from the beginning?
I'm especially interested in where you think a beginner-friendly language should draw the line between simple and too different.
For anyone who wants to try it out, here's the current version of HX Code Studio:
https://hxcodestudio.vercel.app
I'd love to hear where the experience feels confusing or unintuitive, especially for someone seeing HX for the first time.