# Blockly

> Blockly visual programming language

**Wikidata**: [Q18202981](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q18202981)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blockly)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/blockly

## Summary
Blockly is a visual programming language developed by Google in 2012, designed to make coding accessible by allowing users to create programs using graphical blocks rather than text-based code. It is licensed under the Apache Software License 2.0 and runs on web browsers, making it widely accessible for educational and developmental purposes.

## Key Facts
- Developed by Google in 2012, with the first version released in 2012.
- Licensed under the Apache Software License 2.0, approved by the Apache Software Foundation in 2004.
- Runs on web browsers, requiring no additional software installation.
- Created by Ellen Spertus, an American computer scientist.
- Forked by the Scratch team as Scratch-blocks.
- Used in educational environments like Scratch and MIT App Inventor.
- Written in JavaScript, with versions released as frequently as every few weeks.
- Has over 14 versions, with the latest being 12.3.1 as of 2025-09-22.
- Official website: [developers.google.com/blockly](https://developers.google.com/blockly/).
- Available in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, French, and Japanese.
- Used in projects like Verge3D for 3D rendering and ioBroker for home automation.

## FAQs
- **What is Blockly, and how does it work?** Blockly is a visual programming language that allows users to create programs by dragging and connecting graphical blocks, which are then translated into executable code. It is designed to make coding more accessible, especially for beginners.
- **Who developed Blockly, and when was it created?** Blockly was developed by Google in 2012, with the first version released that year. It was created by Ellen Spertus, an American computer scientist.
- **What programming languages can Blockly generate?** Blockly can generate code in languages like JavaScript, Python, and Lua, among others, depending on the configuration.
- **Is Blockly free to use?** Yes, Blockly is open-source and licensed under the Apache Software License 2.0, making it free to use and modify.
- **What platforms does Blockly support?** Blockly runs on web browsers, requiring no additional software installation. It is compatible with various operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux.
- **How is Blockly used in education?** Blockly is used in educational environments like Scratch and MIT App Inventor to teach programming concepts to beginners. It is also used in projects like Verge3D for 3D rendering and ioBroker for home automation.

## Why It Matters
Blockly revolutionized the way people learn and create programs by making coding more intuitive and accessible. By allowing users to build programs using graphical blocks, it lowers the barrier to entry for beginners and enables them to focus on logic and creativity rather than syntax. This approach has been particularly effective in educational settings, where it has helped millions of students learn programming fundamentals. Additionally, Blockly's open-source nature and compatibility with multiple programming languages make it a versatile tool for developers and educators alike. Its impact extends beyond education, as it is also used in professional development environments and research projects, demonstrating its versatility and relevance in the broader tech ecosystem.

## Notable For
- First visual programming language developed by Google.
- Used in educational platforms like Scratch and MIT App Inventor.
- Forked by the Scratch team as Scratch-blocks.
- Licensed under the Apache Software License 2.0, making it open-source and free to use.
- Runs on web browsers, requiring no additional software installation.
- Compatible with multiple programming languages, including JavaScript, Python, and Lua.
- Used in professional development environments and research projects.
- Available in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, French, and Japanese.

## Body
### History
Blockly was developed by Google in 2012, with the first version released that year. It was created by Ellen Spertus, an American computer scientist, and is licensed under the Apache Software License 2.0, approved by the Apache Software Foundation in 2004. The project was initiated to make programming more accessible, particularly for beginners, by providing a visual interface that translates graphical blocks into executable code.

### Development and Technology
Blockly is written in JavaScript and runs on web browsers, requiring no additional software installation. It is designed to be highly customizable, allowing users to create their own blocks and define how they interact with each other. The language supports multiple programming languages, including JavaScript, Python, and Lua, making it versatile for different development needs.

### Versions and Releases
Blockly has undergone numerous updates and releases since its inception. The first major version, version 3, was released on October 30, 2020. Subsequent versions have been released as frequently as every few weeks, with the latest version being 12.3.1, released on September 22, 2025. Each version includes improvements and new features, ensuring that Blockly remains a cutting-edge tool for programming education and development.

### Educational Applications
Blockly is widely used in educational environments, including platforms like Scratch and MIT App Inventor. These platforms leverage Blockly's visual programming interface to teach programming concepts to beginners, making it easier for students to learn and experiment with code. The fork of Blockly known as Scratch-blocks is used by the Scratch team to provide a similar visual programming experience within the Scratch environment.

### Professional and Research Uses
In addition to its educational applications, Blockly is also used in professional development environments and research projects. Its versatility and ease of use make it a valuable tool for developers and researchers looking to create and test new programming concepts. Projects like Verge3D for 3D rendering and ioBroker for home automation demonstrate the broad applicability of Blockly in various domains.

### Community and Open Source
Blockly's open-source nature and active community have contributed to its success and widespread adoption. The project is hosted on GitHub, where developers can contribute to its development and report issues. The community-driven approach ensures that Blockly continues to evolve and meet the needs of its users, making it a dynamic and ever-improving tool for programming education and development.

### Related Projects and Influences
Blockly has influenced and been influenced by several other projects in the visual programming space. Its fork, Scratch-blocks, is used by the Scratch team to provide a similar visual programming experience within the Scratch environment. Additionally, Blockly's use in educational platforms like MIT App Inventor has helped to popularize visual programming as a tool for teaching programming concepts to beginners. These connections highlight Blockly's role as a foundational project in the visual programming landscape.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.wired.com/2012/06/google-blockly/)
2. [Source](https://www.appinventorfoundation.org/news/beka-westberg)
3. [blockly/LICENSE at develop](https://github.com/google/blockly/blob/develop/LICENSE)
4. [Release 3. 2020](https://github.com/google/blockly/releases/tag/3)
5. [Release Q4 2020 · google/blockly. 2020](https://github.com/google/blockly/releases/tag/4.20201217.0)
6. [Release 8.0.0. 2022](https://github.com/google/blockly/releases/tag/blockly-v8.0.0)
7. [Release 8.0.1. 2022](https://github.com/google/blockly/releases/tag/blockly-v8.0.1)
8. [Release 8.0.2. 2022](https://github.com/google/blockly/releases/tag/blockly-v8.0.2)
9. [Release 8.0.3. 2022](https://github.com/google/blockly/releases/tag/blockly-v8.0.3)
10. [Release 8.0.4. 2022](https://github.com/google/blockly/releases/tag/blockly-v8.0.4)
11. [Release 8.0.5. 2022](https://github.com/google/blockly/releases/tag/blockly-v8.0.5)
12. [Release 9.0.0. 2022](https://github.com/google/blockly/releases/tag/blockly-v9.0.0)
13. [Release 9.0.1. 2022](https://github.com/google/blockly/releases/tag/blockly-v9.0.1)
14. [Release 9.1.0. 2022](https://github.com/google/blockly/releases/tag/blockly-v9.1.0)
15. [Release 9.1.1. 2022](https://github.com/google/blockly/releases/tag/blockly-v9.1.1)
16. [Release 9.2.0. 2022](https://github.com/google/blockly/releases/tag/blockly-v9.2.0)
17. [Release 9.2.1. 2023](https://github.com/google/blockly/releases/tag/blockly-v9.2.1)
18. [Release 9.3.0. 2023](https://github.com/google/blockly/releases/tag/blockly-v9.3.0)
19. [Release 9.3.1. 2023](https://github.com/google/blockly/releases/tag/blockly-v9.3.1)
20. [Release 9.3.2. 2023](https://github.com/google/blockly/releases/tag/blockly-v9.3.2)
21. [Release 9.3.3. 2023](https://github.com/google/blockly/releases/tag/blockly-v9.3.3)
22. [Release 10.0.0. 2023](https://github.com/google/blockly/releases/tag/blockly-v10.0.0)
23. [Release 10.0.1. 2023](https://github.com/google/blockly/releases/tag/blockly-v10.0.1)
24. [Release 10.0.2. 2023](https://github.com/google/blockly/releases/tag/blockly-v10.0.2)
25. [Release 10.1.0. 2023](https://github.com/google/blockly/releases/tag/blockly-v10.1.0)
26. [Release 10.1.1. 2023](https://github.com/google/blockly/releases/tag/blockly-v10.1.1)
27. [Release 10.1.2. 2023](https://github.com/google/blockly/releases/tag/blockly-v10.1.2)
28. [Release 10.1.3. 2023](https://github.com/google/blockly/releases/tag/blockly-v10.1.3)
29. [Release 10.2.0. 2023](https://github.com/google/blockly/releases/tag/blockly-v10.2.0)
30. [Release 10.2.1. 2023](https://github.com/google/blockly/releases/tag/blockly-v10.2.1)
31. [Release 10.2.2. 2023](https://github.com/google/blockly/releases/tag/blockly-v10.2.2)
32. [Release 10.3.0. 2023](https://github.com/google/blockly/releases/tag/blockly-v10.3.0)
33. [Release 10.3.1. 2024](https://github.com/google/blockly/releases/tag/blockly-v10.3.1)
34. [Release 10.4.0. 2024](https://github.com/google/blockly/releases/tag/blockly-v10.4.0)
35. [Release 10.4.1. 2024](https://github.com/google/blockly/releases/tag/blockly-v10.4.1)
36. [Release 10.4.2. 2024](https://github.com/google/blockly/releases/tag/blockly-v10.4.2)
37. [Release 10.4.3. 2024](https://github.com/google/blockly/releases/tag/blockly-v10.4.3)
38. [Release 11.0.0. 2024](https://github.com/google/blockly/releases/tag/blockly-v11.0.0)
39. [Release 11.1.0. 2024](https://github.com/google/blockly/releases/tag/blockly-v11.1.0)
40. [Release 11.1.1. 2024](https://github.com/google/blockly/releases/tag/blockly-v11.1.1)
41. [Release 11.2.0. 2024](https://github.com/google/blockly/releases/tag/blockly-v11.2.0)
42. [Release 11.2.1. 2025](https://github.com/google/blockly/releases/tag/blockly-v11.2.1)
43. [Release 11.2.2. 2025](https://github.com/google/blockly/releases/tag/blockly-v11.2.2)
44. [Release 12.0.0. 2025](https://github.com/google/blockly/releases/tag/blockly-v12.0.0)
45. [Release 12.1.0. 2025](https://github.com/google/blockly/releases/tag/blockly-v12.1.0)
46. [Release 12.2.0. 2025](https://github.com/google/blockly/releases/tag/blockly-v12.2.0)
47. [Release 12.3.0. 2025](https://github.com/google/blockly/releases/tag/blockly-v12.3.0)
48. [Release 12.3.1. 2025](https://github.com/google/blockly/releases/tag/blockly-v12.3.1)
49. [Release 12.4.1. 2026](https://github.com/RaspberryPiFoundation/blockly/releases/tag/blockly-v12.4.1)
50. [Release 12.5.0. 2026](https://github.com/RaspberryPiFoundation/blockly/releases/tag/blockly-v12.5.0)