Processing
From ArtSoftware
Processing is an open source software project initiated by C.E.B. Reas and Ben Fry, formerly of the Aesthetics and Computation Group at the MIT Media Lab. Processing is "a programming language and integrated development environment (IDE) built for the electronic arts and visual design communities," which aims to teach the basics of computer programming in a visual context, and to serve as the foundation for electronic sketchbooks. One of the stated aims of Processing is to act as a tool to get non-programmers started with programming, through the instant gratification of visual feedback. It is a language that builds on the graphical side of the Java programming language, simplifying features and creating a few new ones.
License (Development Environment): GPL
License (Export Libraries): LGPL
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Features
Processing includes a "sketchbook," a minimal alternative to an IDE for organizing projects.
When programming in processing, all classes defined will be treated as inner classes when the code is translated into pure Java before compiling. This means that the use of static variables in classes are prohibited unless you explicitly tell Processing that you want to code in pure Java mode.
Related projects
Processing has spawned another project, Wiring, which uses the Processing IDE together with a simplified version of the C programming language as a way to teach artists how to program microcontrollers. There are now two separate hardware projects, Wiring and Arduino, using the Wiring environment and language. Another spin-off project, Mobile Processing by Francis Li, allows software written using the Processing programming language and environment to run on Java powered mobile devices.
Awards
In 2005 Reas and Fry won the prestigious Golden Nica award from Ars Electronica in its Net Vision category for their work on Processing.
License
The IDE is licensed under the GNU General Public License.
Processing's "core" libraries, the code that is included in exported applications and applets, is licensed under the GNU Lesser General Public License, allowing the programmer to release their original code with their license of choice.
