# Processing

> programming environment and graphics library

**Wikidata**: [Q1053535](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1053535)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Processing)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/processing

## Summary
Processing is a programming environment and graphics library designed for artists, designers, and educators to create interactive visuals and animations. Developed by Casey Reas and Ben Fry in 2001, it is built on Java and is widely used for teaching computational thinking and creative coding.

## Key Facts
- **Inception**: 2001, created by Casey Reas and Ben Fry.
- **Primary Use**: Programming environment and graphics library for artists and educators.
- **Programming Language**: Built on Java, with an object-oriented paradigm.
- **Operating Systems**: Runs on Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux.
- **Versions**: Released versions include 1.0, 1.5.1, 2.0, 3.0, and later iterations.
- **License**: Distributed under the GNU Lesser General Public License and GNU General Public License, version 2.0.
- **Influenced By**: Design By Numbers, Logo, and Java.
- **Developed By**: Processing Foundation.
- **Website**: [processing.org](https://processing.org/).
- **GitHub Repository**: [processing/processing4](https://github.com/processing/processing4).

## FAQs
### Q: What is Processing used for?
A: Processing is primarily used as a programming environment and graphics library for creating interactive visuals, animations, and educational projects. It is widely used in art, design, and computer science education.

### Q: Who created Processing?
A: Processing was created by Casey Reas and Ben Fry in 2001. It was developed as an open-source project to make coding accessible to artists and designers.

### Q: Is Processing free to use?
A: Yes, Processing is free and open-source, licensed under the GNU Lesser General Public License and GNU General Public License, version 2.0.

### Q: What programming language is Processing based on?
A: Processing is built on Java and uses an object-oriented programming paradigm.

### Q: Can Processing run on different operating systems?
A: Yes, Processing supports Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux.

## Why It Matters
Processing has revolutionized creative coding by providing an accessible platform for artists, designers, and educators to explore computational thinking. Its intuitive syntax and built-in graphics capabilities have democratized programming, making it easier for non-programmers to create interactive visuals. The project has influenced numerous creative works and educational initiatives, fostering a community of artists and developers who use it to push the boundaries of digital art. By simplifying the process of learning programming, Processing has played a pivotal role in shaping the intersection of technology and creativity.

## Notable For
- **Educational Tool**: Widely used in computer science and art education to teach programming concepts.
- **Open-Source**: Free and accessible to all users, promoting a collaborative development model.
- **Creative Community**: Inspired numerous artistic projects and collaborations, including works by María Mencía, Jerome Fletcher, and others.
- **Cross-Platform**: Supports multiple operating systems, ensuring broad accessibility.
- **Influential**: Has influenced other programming languages and tools in the creative coding space.

## Body
### Origins and Development
Processing was initiated in 2001 by Casey Reas and Ben Fry as a response to the limitations of existing programming environments for artists. The project aimed to create a more accessible and intuitive tool for creative coding, leveraging Java's capabilities while simplifying its syntax.

### Technical Specifications
Processing is built on Java and supports object-oriented programming. It includes a built-in graphics library for creating 2D and 3D visuals. The software has evolved through several versions, with notable releases including 1.5.1, 2.0, and 3.0, each introducing new features and improvements.

### Licensing and Accessibility
Processing is distributed under the GNU Lesser General Public License and GNU General Public License, version 2.0, ensuring it remains free and open-source. This licensing model has allowed the project to thrive within the creative coding community.

### Influence and Impact
Processing has influenced numerous creative works and educational initiatives. It has been used in various artistic projects, including those by María Mencía, Jerome Fletcher, and others. The project's emphasis on accessibility has made it a valuable tool for teaching computational thinking and programming.

### Community and Support
Processing is supported by the Processing Foundation and has a vibrant community of users and contributors. The project maintains an active presence on platforms like GitHub and has a dedicated website for documentation and resources.

## Schema Markup
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  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Processing",
  "description": "A programming environment and graphics library for artists, designers, and educators.",
  "url": "https://processing.org/",
  "sameAs": ["https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q15777", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Processing"],
  "additionalType": "SoftwareApplication"
}

## References

1. [Source](https://github.com/JohnMarkOckerbloom/ftl/blob/master/data/wikimap)
2. [The processing Open Source Project on Open Hub: Languages Page. Open Hub](https://www.openhub.net/p/processing/analyses/latest/languages_summary)
3. [Release 1.5.1. 2016](https://github.com/processing/processing/releases/tag/processing-1.5.1)
4. [Release 2.1.2. 2014](https://github.com/processing/processing/releases/tag/processing-0225-2.1.2)
5. [Release 2.2.1. 2014](https://github.com/processing/processing/releases/tag/processing-0227-2.2.1)
6. [Source](https://github.com/processing/processing/releases)
7. [Release 3.0. 2015](https://github.com/processing/processing/releases/tag/processing-0246-3.0)
8. [Source](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/processing/processing/master/build/shared/revisions.txt)
9. [Release 3.0.1. 2015](https://github.com/processing/processing/releases/tag/processing-0247-3.0.1)
10. [Release Processing 3.0.2. 2016](https://github.com/processing/processing/releases/tag/processing-0248-3.0.2)
11. [Release 3.2.1. 2016](https://github.com/processing/processing/releases/tag/processing-0253-3.2.1)
12. [Release 3.3.3. 2017](https://github.com/processing/processing/releases/tag/processing-0260-3.3.3)
13. [Source](https://www.processing.org/download/)
14. [Release 3.3.5. 2017](https://github.com/processing/processing/releases/tag/processing-0262-3.3.5)
15. [Release 3.3.6. 2017](https://github.com/processing/processing/releases/tag/processing-0263-3.3.6)
16. [Source](https://processing.org/download/)
17. [Release 3.3.7. 2018](https://github.com/processing/processing/releases/tag/processing-0264-3.3.7)
18. [Release 3.3.4. 2017](https://github.com/processing/processing/releases/tag/processing-0261-3.3.4)
19. [Release 3.3.2. 2017](https://github.com/processing/processing/releases/tag/processing-0259-3.3.2)
20. [Release 3.3.1. 2017](https://github.com/processing/processing/releases/tag/processing-0258-3.3.1)
21. [Release 3.3. 2017](https://github.com/processing/processing/releases/tag/processing-0257-3.3)
22. [Release 3.2.4. 2017](https://github.com/processing/processing/releases/tag/processing-0256-3.2.4)
23. [Release 3.2.3. 2016](https://github.com/processing/processing/releases/tag/processing-0255-3.2.3)
24. [Release 3.2.2. 2016](https://github.com/processing/processing/releases/tag/processing-0254-3.2.2)
25. [Release 3.2. 2016](https://github.com/processing/processing/releases/tag/processing-0252-3.2)
26. [Release 3.1.2. 2016](https://github.com/processing/processing/releases/tag/processing-0251-3.1.2)
27. [Release 3.1.1. 2016](https://github.com/processing/processing/releases/tag/processing-0250-3.1.1)
28. [Release 3.1. 2016](https://github.com/processing/processing/releases/tag/processing-0249-3.1)
29. [Release 3.3.7.1. 2018](https://github.com/processing/processing/releases/tag/processing-0264-3.3.7.1)
30. [Release 3.3.7.2. 2018](https://github.com/processing/processing/releases/tag/processing-0264-3.3.7.2)
31. [Release 3.4. 2018](https://github.com/processing/processing/releases/tag/processing-0265-3.4)
32. [Release 3.5. 2019](https://github.com/processing/processing/releases/tag/processing-0266-3.5)
33. [Release 3.5.1. 2019](https://github.com/processing/processing/releases/tag/processing-0267-3.5.1)
34. [Release 3.5.2. 2019](https://github.com/processing/processing/releases/tag/processing-0268-3.5.2)
35. [Release 3.5.3. 2019](https://github.com/processing/processing/releases/tag/processing-0269-3.5.3)
36. [Release 4.0.1. 2022](https://github.com/processing/processing4/releases/tag/processing-1286-4.0.1)
37. [Release 4.0.2. 2022](https://github.com/processing/processing4/releases/tag/processing-1287-4.0.2)
38. [Release 4.1. 2022](https://github.com/processing/processing4/releases/tag/processing-1288-4.1)
39. [Release 4.1.1. 2022](https://github.com/processing/processing4/releases/tag/processing-1289-4.1.1)
40. [Release 4.1.2. 2023](https://github.com/processing/processing4/releases/tag/processing-1290-4.1.2)
41. [Release 4.1.3. 2023](https://github.com/processing/processing4/releases/tag/processing-1291-4.1.3)
42. [Release 4.2. 2023](https://github.com/processing/processing4/releases/tag/processing-1292-4.2)
43. [Release 4.3. 2023](https://github.com/processing/processing4/releases/tag/processing-1293-4.3)
44. [Release 3.5.4. 2020](https://github.com/processing/processing/releases/tag/processing-0270-3.5.4)
45. [Release 4.3.1. 2024](https://github.com/processing/processing4/releases/tag/processing-1294-4.3.1)
46. [Release 4.0. 2024](https://github.com/processing/processing4/releases/tag/processing-1285-4.0)
47. [Release 4.3.2. 2024](https://github.com/processing/processing4/releases/tag/processing-1295-4.3.2)
48. [Release 4.3.3. 2025](https://github.com/processing/processing4/releases/tag/processing-1296-4.3.3)
49. [Release 4.3.4. 2025](https://github.com/processing/processing4/releases/tag/processing-1297-4.3.4)
50. [Release 4.4.1. 2025](https://github.com/processing/processing4/releases/tag/processing-1301-4.4.1)