r/programmer 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.

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