# Etoys

> programming language

**Wikidata**: [Q1044290](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1044290)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Etoys_(programming_language))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/etoys

## Summary
Etoys is a visual programming language designed for educational purposes, developed by Apple Inc. and created by computer scientist Alan Kay. It allows users to write programs graphically and is part of the Squeak programming environment. Etoys emphasizes object-oriented and prototype-based programming to make coding accessible to children.

## Key Facts
- **Developed by**: Apple Inc.
- **Designed by**: Alan Kay
- **Inception**: 1996
- **License**: MIT License
- **Classifications**: Visual programming language, educational programming language
- **Typing discipline**: Dynamic typing
- **Programming paradigms**: Object-oriented programming, prototype-based programming
- **Debian package**: `etoys`
- **Flathub ID**: `org.squeakland.Etoys`

## FAQs
### Q: What is Etoys used for?
A: Etoys is used as an educational tool to teach programming concepts through visual, interactive environments, particularly for children.

### Q: Is Etoys related to Scratch?
A: While both are educational programming languages, Etoys predates Scratch (incepted in 2003) and influenced its development. Etoys focuses on object-oriented and prototype-based paradigms, whereas Scratch uses block-based syntax.

### Q: Is Etoys still available today?
A: Yes, Etoys remains available under the MIT License and is distributed through platforms like Debian and Flathub, though its popularity has been eclipsed by newer tools like Scratch.

## Why It Matters
Etoys played a significant role in pioneering visual and educational programming, embodying Alan Kay’s vision of accessible computing for children. It introduced object-oriented and prototype-based concepts in a graphical format, democratizing coding education long before modern platforms like Scratch. By enabling users to manipulate code through visual elements rather than text, Etoys lowered barriers to entry for young learners and inspired later educational tools. Its open-source MIT License ensured longevity and adaptability, allowing integration into various educational curricula and software ecosystems.

## Notable For
- **Visual Programming Pioneer**: One of the earliest graphical programming environments designed for educational use.
- **Influence on Scratch**: Its object-oriented and prototype-based approach laid groundwork for later educational languages.
- **MIT License**: Open-source licensing facilitated community adoption and integration into platforms like Debian.
- **Cross-Platform Availability**: Distributed via Flathub and Debian, ensuring accessibility across operating systems.

## Body
### Overview
Etoys is a visual programming language developed by Apple Inc. in 1996 under the guidance of computer scientist Alan Kay. It is designed to teach programming principles through interactive, graphical environments, emphasizing object-oriented and prototype-based paradigms.

### Development and Design
- **Creator**: Alan Kay, renowned for his work in object-oriented programming and the development of the Smalltalk language.
- **Parent Environment**: Built within the Squeak programming platform, which itself is a descendant of Smalltalk.
- **Educational Focus**: Tailored for children and beginners, using drag-and-drop components to construct programs.

### Features
- **Dynamic Typing**: Does not require explicit type definitions, simplifying the coding process.
- **Visual Interface**: Users create programs by manipulating graphical objects rather than writing text-based code.
- **Cross-Platform**: Available on multiple operating systems through packages like Debian’s `etoys` and Flathub’s `org.squeakland.Etoys`.

### Licensing and Legacy
- **MIT License**: Open-source licensing allows free use, modification, and distribution.
- **Historical Significance**: Preceded and influenced modern educational tools like Scratch (released in 2003).
- **Multilingual Support**: Documentation and resources available in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, and Japanese.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Software",
  "name": "Etoys",
  "description": "A visual programming language developed by Apple Inc. for educational purposes.",
  "url": "https://squeakland.org/",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3064309",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Etoys_(programming_language)"
  ],
  "additionalType": "EducationalSoftware",
  "version": "Part of Squeak environment",
  "programmingLanguage": "Squeak/Smalltalk",
  "license": "https://opensource.org/licenses/MIT",
  "developer": {
    "@type": "Organization",
    "name": "Apple Inc."
  },
  "creator": {
    "@type": "Person",
    "name": "Alan Kay"
  },
  "datePublished": "1996"
}

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. Quora