During Entry · 2014–2018 / Language tooling

From blocks to Python

A bidirectional translator that helps students move from visual blocks to Python.

My role: Core developer · Entry Labs
When: During Entry · 2014–2018
Focus: Language tooling

Bridging two ways of programming

I built a system to translate between Entry’s visual block programs and Python code, giving students a way to move from the block language they already knew into text-based programming.

The implementation

The translator used abstract syntax tree analysis to understand the structure of a program and convert it between representations. The work extended Entry’s language tooling beyond execution into code transformation.

Part of a learning path

The feature supported the transition after students had learned block programming, keeping the connection between the two forms of code visible.