Kids Programming Language

KPL is a programming language built by Jon Schwartz and others.  KPL is featured in this 45 minute Channel 9 video.

I learned a lot about the language and the programming environment from the video.  Here is some of that information.  Sorry if I got anything wrong.  I didn’t take notes.

KPL Version 1 (currently available)

• Based on .Net.
• The IDE is based on Visual Studio.  Lots of Visual Studio functionaliy is available, simplified, including code block collapsing and auto-complete.
• Sprites, motion and input are easy.
• Syntax similar to basic.
• Lots of docs and examples.
• Thriving community of example submitters.
• Needs more girl-oriented content.

KPL Version 2 (coming soon, although most of it was shown in the video)

• Debugging in the IDE (breakpoints, watchpoints, list of all variables in scope and their values).
• Objects and user defined objects.
• Distributable EXEs.
• The KPL libraries will be available to C#, etc and you’ll be able to automatically convert your KPL code to other .Net languages with one click.
• DirectX wrappers – build 3D apps (a 40 line program was demoed with a spaceship flying around in a textured box.  Watch the video – words don’t do it justice.)  Terrain/character collision is taken care of for you.
• Build your own modules in any .NET language with an SDK, expose that functionality to KPL.
• Control an aimable camera over USB.