Raspberry Pi Launches Online Code Editor to Help Kids Learn

An anonymous reader shares this report from Tom's Hardware: When we think about Raspberry Pi, we normally picture single-board computers, but the Raspberry Pi Foundation was started to help kids learn about computers and it wants to help whether or not you own its hardware. The non-profit arm of Raspberry Pi this week released its new, browser-based code editor that's designed for young people (or any people) who are learning.

The Raspberry Pi Code Editor, which is considered to be in beta, is available to everyone for free right now at editor.raspberrypi.org. The editor is currently designed to work with Python only, but the organization says that support for other languages such as HTML, JavaScript and CSS is coming....

The Raspberry Pi Foundation already had a nice set of Python tutorials on its site, but it has adapted some of them to open sample code directly in the online editor....The Pi Foundation says that it plans to add a number of features to the Code Editor, including sharing and collaboration. The organization also plans to release the editor as an open-source project so anyone can modify it.
There's a pane showing your code's output when you click the "Run" button (plus a smaller pane for adding additional files to a project).

Tom's Hardware notes that "Since the entire programming experience takes place online, there's no way (at least right now) to use Python to control local hardware on your PC or your Raspberry Pi." But on the plus side, "If you create a free account on raspberrypi.org, which I did, the system will save all of your projects in the cloud and you can reload them any time you want. You can also download all the files in a project as a .zip file."

That's great

[e065c8515d206cb0e190]

Except you cant buy a Pi at MSRP these days

Re:

[leonbev]

Yeah, I'd really like to see a worthy competitor pop up to compete with the Raspberry Pi single-board computer line. Most of their competition either costs more or doesn't have the same level of software support.

Re:

[bill_mcgonigle]

RISC-V is replacing RPi at all levels.

I'm not buying any more at this point.

Single-source vendor turned out to be an Achilles Heel.

I understand why it happened but other tactics would have been better.

Re:

[bill_mcgonigle]

They made a platform that doesn't require buying a Pi, per TFA.

Re:

[thegarbz]

Except you cant buy a Pi at MSRP these days

You don't need an 8GB Raspberry Pi 4 to learn to code. Get someone to give you one of the countless older Raspberry Pis laying around unused or buy one second hand.

Re:

[Opportunist]

What's currently available at all [rpilocator.com] is a RPi 3 Model A+ - 512MB RAM [raspberrypi.com]. I have one of these here. That very model.

To use that model, you already need access to a computer to get it running. So my question would be, if you already have a computer at your disposal, why do you need that RPi to learn coding instead of just using the computer you have?

Re:

[e065c8515d206cb0e190]

Thank you for the link. The 3 seems to have issues with resolutions higher than so-called full HDMI, which is an issue for me (thin client use at high desktop resolution). Otherwise my Pi 2 would also be enough.

Learn a trade

[S_Stout]

AI will do all the programming by the time these kids are grown up. They should go learn plumbing for job security.

Re: Learn a trade

[Kelxin]

Nah, all the houses will be 3D printed with PEX ran by an automated system. Plumbers and electricians will be obsolete by then also.

Re: Learn a trade

[S_Stout]

It will take a long time to tear down and rebuild enough houses to kill trade work for the next generation. Software, not so much.

Re:

[bill_mcgonigle]

Running electrical current through PEX sounds risky. Even PEXALPEX would get too hot.

Re: Learn a trade

[Kelxin]

Why in gods name would you run electrical current through pex? Automation using pex solves the need for any pipe soldering for plumbing. Conduits need no soldering, and automation could easily bend the pipes where needed and screw them together at junctions. I definitely wasn't saying replace everything with pex, just water applications as it just solves the need for any plumber at all.

Re:

[Anonymous Coward]

"Fuck you, I got mine" should be the first line of the US national anthem.

Whats the point?

[Anonymous Coward]

The point of having a pi is to connect hardware to it, write code to use it.
wtf is the point to a web browser based editor to run code on something you can't connect your hardware to?
Better off using a local code editor and/or VM.

Ethics

[Baron_Yam]

The Pi people recently hired someone who is not compatible with privacy rights. They're also no longer necessarily the best choice out there, despite the nice box and Raspbian OS.

If you're looking for hardware projects, Arduino is a better choice. For software projects... If you already have a computer you don't really need a Pi.

Re: Ethics

[S_Stout]

If you are competing with college grads 10 years from now then you failed as a programmer. You should be at an architect level by then and not in the weeds. However, no one will be competing with college grads soon, AI is what will take all the software jobs, and you will only need a lightweight team to connect the pieces together and sign off on what AI built.

Re:

[larryburden]

This is a fantastic resource for kids who want to learn to program. It provides an accessible platform for young learners to experiment with code and develop their skills in a fun and engaging way. However, not everyone is confident in their math and programming abilities. For those who need extra help, services like https://edubirdie.com/math-pro... [edubirdie.com] can provide valuable assistance. By offering professional writing and tutoring services, EduBirdie can help students overcome challenges and excel in their stu

Re:

[account_deleted]

Comment removed based on user account deletion

Who needs to learn?

[quonset]

Just ask AI to create everything for you [youtube.com].

When are Pi prices returning to normal?

[Invisible Now]

A big part of pie is charm was its low price!
What is the excuse for the high prices now?
A Linux based operating system loaded with python WIFI and IO pins.
It was a teachers dream. Serving LAMP with Maria Db. Working well in Africa and other places where Internet connectivity cannot be assumed, this web browser is nice but would be even better if this fine new code editor was local.

Re:

[bill_mcgonigle]

The idea is that RPi bought excess capacity on fabs to keep prices low but there hasn't been any since communist lockdowns horked the supply chain.
Fortunately for makers the US sanctions against China have really accelerated RISC-V and hopefully a open-source GPU will follow.

Re:

[Invisible Now]

Thanks! Thought it was going to be transitory. Appreciate your clear explanation.

Re:

[drinkypoo]

At this point I'm assuming the pi foundation is just a scheme for bcm to get rid of excess production. Like someone cancels a line without taking a bunch of optional orders they have already produced, no problem, sell them to the plebes. We'll make just enough units to convince them it's a real product!

Well that's just great

[OfMiceAndMenus]

Except how are they supposed to code on a Pi when a 5-year-old model which is probably used anyway is going for $200 online?

You can say "chip shortages" until you run out of breath, but that's fucking stupid. Their ETA for more of these things is like October 2024, at extreme prices, which is longer than it would take to just whip up a design and send it off to PCBway or JLpcb for a fraction of the cost.

Personally, I'm about to go for a GrapePi and make one on a purple PCB from Osh Park