# ScratchJr

> visual programming language

**Wikidata**: [Q18215985](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q18215985)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ScratchJr)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/scratchjr

## Summary
ScratchJr is a visual programming language and integrated development environment (IDE) designed for educational purposes. It is a distinct platform based on Scratch, intended to be written graphically by the user.

## Key Facts
- **Instance of:** Visual programming language, educational programming language, integrated development environment (IDE).
- **Based on:** Scratch.
- **Aliases:** Scratch Junior.
- **Website:** http://scratchjr.org/.
- **Social Media Launch:** Twitter activity began in August 2014; Facebook activity began in April 2015.
- **Wikipedia Presence:** Available in 10 language editions (including English, Spanish, French, Japanese, Korean, Russian, and Simple English).
- **Wikimedia Commons:** Categorized under "ScratchJr" with a specific logo and interface image available.

## FAQs
### Q: What type of software is ScratchJr?
A: ScratchJr is a visual programming language and integrated development environment. It allows users to write programs graphically rather than textually.

### Q: Is ScratchJr the same as Scratch?
A: No, but they are related. ScratchJr is an entity "based on" Scratch.

### Q: Where can information about ScratchJr be found?
A: The official website is scratchjr.org. It is also documented on Wikidata and available in multiple languages on Wikipedia.

## Why It Matters
ScratchJr serves as a fundamental entry point into computer science, categorizing itself strictly as a visual and educational programming language. By defining itself as an integrated development environment (IDE) where code is "written graphically," it lowers the barrier to entry for coding logic, removing the need for syntax memorization. Its existence as a distinct entity based on Scratch highlights a specialized approach to education, likely targeting demographics that require a simpler interface than the standard Scratch environment. The availability of the platform in over ten languages underscores its global utility in early childhood coding education.

## Notable For
- **Visual Interface:** Being a programming language that is written graphically, distinguishing it from text-based coding languages.
- **Educational Classification:** Being explicitly defined as an educational programming language.
- **Lineage:** Being directly based on the Scratch programming language.
- **Integrated Environment:** Functioning as a complete integrated development environment (IDE), not just a language.
- **Multilingual Documentation:** Having Wikipedia documentation available in diverse languages including Armenian, Japanese, and Korean.

## Body

### Nature and Classification
ScratchJr is formally classified as a **visual programming language** and an **educational programming language**. It operates as an **integrated development environment (IDE)**, meaning it provides comprehensive facilities to computer programmers for software development. The core characteristic of this language is that it is **written graphically**, allowing users to create programs through visual manipulation rather than textual coding.

### Relationship to Scratch
ScratchJr is structurally and conceptually **based on Scratch**. While Scratch is a well-known high-level block-based visual programming language, ScratchJr (also known as Scratch Junior) exists as a related entity within the same ecosystem, adapted for specific educational contexts.

### Digital Presence and History
The project maintains an official web presence at **scratchjr.org**.
*   **Social Media:** The project established a presence on Twitter (@ScratchJr) in August 2014 and on Facebook (scratchjr) in April 2015.
*   **Media:** Official branding includes a designated logo and an interface image hosted on Wikimedia Commons.

### Global Reach
ScratchJr has a documented international presence, evidenced by its Wikipedia entries in ten different languages. These include Catalan (ca), English (en), Spanish (es), French (fr), Armenian (hy), Japanese (ja), Korean (ko), Russian (ru), and Simple English (simple). It holds the Freebase ID `/m/0120x46t`.